DISK JOCKEYING in Rwanda is evolving by the day, and is playing a huge role in the ecosystem of the Rwandan music scene. However, a section of music and party lovers in Kigali are convinced that female DJs are not fairly represented in this industry due to their low participation. It is rare to find a female DJ in pubs and clubs of Kigali, something that Teta Yvette, a music lover based in Kigali thinks that should change. For her, females are currently adopting many jobs that were initially known to be only for men. She believes that if more females join this sector, they will benefit from it and also attract more followers. Daniela Umunyana Nzititara, a student at African Leadership University, Kigali campus, told The New Times that clubs, which caters mostly to women, would benefit from having more female DJs. From what I can see, they bring a lot more soul and they know what the girls like, she said. Compared to fellow African countries, female DJ’s have evolved, both in the East African region, and other areas of Africa, according to DJ Sonia, who plays for Magic FM. She gave an example of Poison Ivy, a Kenyan DJ who is the official disk jockey for NBA giants Dallas Mavericks, and was the official DJ of Basketball Africa League (BAL), which was held in Rwanda this year. “This is a career that pays like others,” she said. In addition, Sonia advised fellow females to be open and start a DJ career, because it changed her life financially. DJ Ira, one of a few only female DJs in town also wishes to see the other gender involved. However, she said, since the outbreak of covid-19, a few emerged, and if they keep coming, it will profit the Rwandan music industry. Alex Muyobocye, a music expert, believes that participation of girls in disk jockeying has increased in the past few years, not like before, when Anitha Pendo was the only female DJ in the city. “Females have started getting involved in almost every career that the society assigned to males. From that, the music industry would also wish to benefit from females and it has already started,” he added. Parents should also let kids explore talents without limiting them, according to Muyoboke. Lyna Kaliza, a music lover based in Poland, disclosed that there are many talents in Rwanda, especially in females, that are not actively showcased. “There is still a gap in this sector. Pubs are opening every day, and events are happening almost every weekend. It is the right time for females to come in and take over,” Kaliza told The New Times. Currently, the Rwandan music industry has a few female DJs, such as DJ Fabiola, Makeda Mahadeo, DJ Sonia, DJ Ira and DJ Brianne.
