The generalisation in Nigeria states that disc jockeying is a female business.
As with many other professions in the entertainment industry the males are a dominant force. Think up your favorite DJs in the country and the most likely names to hit you will be DJ Jimmy Jatt, DJ Caise, DJ Xclusive and a couple of others.
But the females are staging a tour de force. Nigerian female DJs have long been in existence, but due to a number of challenging factors, they have been on the side-lines, working in relative obscurity and getting their skill right.
But within the past half-decade, we have seen a push to the front-lines by a number of female DJs who have bucked the repressive trend and aspired to more. They have made their mark in many ways, and Pulse Music presents the top five female Disc Jockeys in Nigeria.
DJ Cuppy
DJ Cuppy is a peculiar personality in this game of Nigerian Entertainment throne. She tops this list due to her current role in leading the charge for female DJs.
Bursting onto the scene fully in 2014 after the completion of her Business and Economics degree at King’s College London, the pretty disc jockey had to struggle for two things; creating a personality that is not reliant on her father’s image, and also, getting the needed acceptance as a music entity.
‘House of Cuppy 1’ was a game-changer for Cuppy in 2014. An 8-track remix of great songs including Kcee’s ‘Limpopo’, it was the first official body of work from the House genre which Cuppy Champions. It signalled her intent for uniqueness, as she somewhat arrogantly shuns the Afro pop culture, instead, sanitising it for personal artistic gain.
015 has brought ‘House of Cuppy 2’, another rinse and repeat of the first mix, albeit with comedy skits, and improved sound engineering giving it a fresh feel. Cuppy’s growth in this regard is tangible. Juxtaposing her two compilations will confirm that.
DJ Lambo
Olawanmi Okeryi, also known as DJ Lambogini is the personal DJ for Africa’s number one rapper M.I
Her story is simple. She started out her career as an OAP in Ray Power 100.5FM and then moved on to Rhthym 94.7 FM, also to Love 104.5 FM in Abuja before starting off as a DJ.
She taught herself how to DJ and officially started out as a DJ in 2009. She DJ’d at California lounge, Aramis and Oxygen club in Abuja and at other events and shows in Lagos, getting better each day till she met up with MI who thought she was dope. Presently she is his personal DJ and occasionally opens up for Award winning DJ, DJ Caise.
Many have reminded her of her gender, discouraging her from the field, but DJ Lambo has turned a deaf ear and is determined to do what she loves and knows best, with hopes of becoming the biggest DJ in Africa.
Her sound is a blend of house, techno, Afro pop and hip hop with immaculate skills. DJ Lambogini has been nominated for Best Female DJ in Africa in the African Global DJ Awards AGDA. Her most recent single, ‘Motion’, is a celebration of leading Nigerian females, with Cynthia Morgan, Eva Alordiah, and Seyi Shay.
DJ Nana
Young, vibrant and pretty Nanayat Abedoh is among the first of her kind in the female cadre of the art known as Disc Jockey (D.J.). Born May 14th 1990, the exceptional female DJ better known as DJ Nana has always stood out in all her endeavors in entertainment.
The Kogi State born lady attended Lea Saint Joseph Secondary School, Lagos from where she went on the study at the National Open University of Nigeria. Fortune smiled on her when she came out tops to win the first ever “Airtel/Barcaddi Cool FM DJ Competition” and from there went on to master the art of disc jockey under the tutelage of the Legendary DJ Jimmy Jatt at Jimmy Jatt Inc.
She has played at such A-List Events like:First Nigerian IdolAY Live ConcertKings of Comedy ConcertMTN 10th Anniversary PartyStand Up Nigeria Comedy ConcertBriitish American Tobbacco ConcertRhythm Unplugged in IbadanJimmy’s Jump Off ConcertShe has also traded her art at clubs like:Ziggy’s GymTaffic LoungeClub VegasRumours LoungeHer hobbies include dancing, music, travelling and learning.
DJ Soupamodel
DJ Soupamodel, also known as “Kehinde Olatunde” born to nigerian parents, now residing in Washington DC, is the definition of talent, creativity, consistency, and a catchy personality.
Currently the CEO of MusicBlvdGroup, a full-service music production company, specializing in all facets of music production (artists, tv, film, commercials), artist management, artist development, apparel sponsorship, and so forth.
Till date, she has worked with top clients such as Wyclef, Jason Derulo, Mims, Soulja Boy, Nappyboy(T-pain), and the list goes on. According to DJ Soupamodel, “you cant define my sound..you’ll hear a little bit of everything, with a weird twist.”..”my production does not sounds like anyone elses’ and thats my nitch”…
She is also a member of CoreDJs and a DJ under NappyBoy(T-Pain).
DJ Frizzie
Frizzie is one of Nigeria’s fastest rising female turntablist who is steadily carving a strong niche for herself in male dominated field with every step she takes in her career.
Within a short period of time, DJ Frizzie is turning into a household name in the entertainment circle and has recently earned herself a couple of deals which include becoming Mr.2Kay’s official DJ, plus VJ for newest television station in the country, Cool TV.
Currently working on her Master’s degree in the UK, female DJ Frizzie is set to storm the continent.