Disk Jockeys or Deejays or in short DJs have played and continue to play a major role in the country’s entertainment industry.
During the old days, artists had to produce their own music and then sell it, however, DJs have since softened the task. They play the songs during their live shows and incorporate them in mixes which boosts the popularity of our local artists.
Kenya has some of the best DJs you could want, their mixes and shows on radio are a thing to long for. Some of these top DJs have established academies through which they train young upcoming entertainers.
Through this, the number of DJs in the country has increased, broadening the music market in Kenya.
Deejaying was initially not viewed as a career one would fully pursue, however, thanks to the effort of some of these veteran artsmen, the craft has been recognised and parents can now proudly put their children through deejaying school.
To some extent, I wonder what it would be like without dee jays. Matatu’s in any part of the country are not fun if they are not playing music, you can not stay for long in quiet house without music.
Whownskenya.com looks at some of the most skilled disk jockeys in Kenya.
DJ Joe Mfalme
He is a veteran in Kenya’s entertainment industry and has been a household name since any one could enjoy radio. He shows on Capital FM and recently Homeboyz Radio, had Kenyans glued to their stereo.
Apart from radio and TV, Mfalme has gigs in between weeks, entertaining crowds at corporate events, parties and clubs.
He grew up listening to other veteran DJs and drew inspiration from DJ Pinye. He was a 1st runners up in the Pilsner Mfalme Dj Competition 2008 but won the competition in 2010. He then added Mfalme (King) to his name.
Dj Joe Mfalme has since established himself as one of the best in the country and is evidenced by the high profile gigs. These include: Airtel Trace Music Star, Koroga festival, Guinness made of black, Coke Studio Africa, Tusker Twende Rio promotion, Paris 7s after party, and Luo festival just to mention a few.
He is versatile and can play all genres of music, thus appeals to a wide demographic. He has since grown his brand, enabling him generate more revenue through; social media influence, event audio solutions, brand activation, and brand partnerships.
Mfalme charges between Ksh150,000 to Ksh200,000 per show.
DJ Pinye
A legend in the deejaying industry. Pinye started his craft back in 1991 while a student in the UK. He hails from a humble background and had to work odd jobs in the UK to raise enough money to buy equipment.
He once competed in a deejaying competition and came last. However, he got a job at a club, and he began to make money off of it.
Pinye is known as one of the pioneer deejays in Kenya playing rock music. He was a household name in the 90s, early 2000s and continued to dominate, till his retirement in 2016 at age 45.
Dj Crème De La Crème
George Njuguna alias DJ Crème de la Crème is among the top 10 DJs in the country. He joined the industry in 2003 while still a student at the university.
He produced mixes dubbed The Chronic and supplied them for free to matatus in Nairobi City.
He has since grown to become an household name in Kenyan entertainment and was nominated for Best DJ in Africa award in 2018.
DJ Crème de la Crème is famed for his urban hip hop contemporary mixes but is also versatile with his craft.
He graduated with a second class upper division degree in Computer Science.
DJ Kriss Darlin
He is famed as one of the best if not the best reggae music DJs in Kenya. DJ Kriss Darlin is the founder of the group Dohty Family, a group of deejays that major in reggae music.
His knowledge of the craft has seen him win awards including Golden Mic Award and Ghetto Stars Award.
DJ Kriss Darlin has also made a name for himself in the international stage, going on multiple tours. He also deejayed for Jamaican artists Alaine and Taurus Riley on their tours.
Darlin is a household name in Kenya’s entertainment and has shows on radio and television.
DJ Kalonje
Any body who has boarded a matatu in Kenya sure knows DJ Kalonje. He is one of the best DJs in the country and has won the hearts of many through his thrilling mixes.
He is a versatile DJ and can play all genres of music, which has enabled him relate to and impress people from across all demographics.
Born George Waweru in 1987, DJ Kalonje began his craft in 2007 and has risen ranks to become one of the best in the country. His music can be heard in clubs, matatus, in short, every where.
He has since landed jobs on radio and television.
DJ Stylez
He is one of the pioneer DJs in Kenya and definitely one of the best. Through his label, Code Red Deejays, he has trained numerous youth to follow suit in the art.
He is a brother to rapper Madtraxx, member of rap group Kansol.
DJ Crème De La Crème, DJ Kaytrixx, and Mr. Cee are some of the DJs who have been mentored by DJ Stylez.
DJ Kaytrixx
He is famed for some of the best mixes played in matatus and over the years has grown to be among the most celebrated DJs in Kenya.
After mentorship by DJ Stylez at Code Red, he proceeded to join Homeboyz Radio and would later depart to form his own label.
His rise to dominance has seen him rub shoulders with some of the best DJs from around the world.
DJ Kaytrixx is the founder and CEO of Spincycle Entertainment, a group of deejays that books and performs at entertainment gigs.
He was part of the 2008 Pilsner Mfalme competition while still a student at Moi University. He reached the finals, but lost to DJ Crowbar.
DJ Kaytrixx now has shows on radio and television.
DJ Adrian
DJ Adrian is definitely one of the best disk jockeys in Kenya. He specialises in soul music but also plays hip hop and Kenyan pop.
He is one of the legendary pioneer deejays that grew the fame of the craft in Kenya prior to the entry of junior deejays into the industry.
DJ Adrian has over the years commanded a massive following through his gigs, live shows and radio.
He is famous for the tagline, “Your favourite DJ’s favourite DJ” which is synonymous with many. Adrian joined Capital FM in 2002 and has since delivered to his fans nothing short of sensational music.
DJ Adrian owns his live mix show, Wheelz of Stell and has travelled the world entertaining crowds.
DJ John Rabar
He is the face behind one of the most popular if not most popular music shows in Kenya, The Beat, which aired on NTV. He made video mixing popular in Kenya.
DJ John Rabar is the founder of Homeboyz Entertainement. The company began as a deejaying group managed by him and his brother Alpha Rabar and mainly targeted entertainment events.
The company has since grown into a conglomerate, owning multiple businesses.
Rabar has worked with production companies both locally and internationally. He has worked with US company Warner Bros.
DJ Mo
DJ Mo is one of the most famous gospel deejays in Kenya, and easily among the best in the country. He is the founder of System Units, an entity that trains gospel DJs in Kenya.
He has played a major role in giving a platform to gospel artists in the country, playing their songs during his live shows, events, radio and television shows.
DJ Mo is also a co-host of gospel show Crossover 101 which airs on NTV.
