The first DJ’s competition is taking shape in Kigali with local DJs given a platform to prove who turns the decks best ahead of the rest in the country. Dubbed DJs Battle Competition, the contest is being organised by M&K with a goal to promote DJs and create public awareness of the talent and quality music in Rwanda, as well as provide business opportunities, networking, and leisure activities through competitions. The contest organisers are currently the brains behind the ‘Sunday Churche’, a weekly show where music enthusiasts are entertained by renowned DJ Toxxyk, the show’s exclusive DJ. The show, which happens every Sunday at Pegase, Rebero, has become a go-to spot for hundreds of music lovers in Kigali in the past few months and the big turn up witnessed at the venue every Sunday has inspired organisers to introduce a contest that brings together local DJs, not only as an opportunity for DJs to thrive but also as a platform for others to showcase their talent. “The job that DJs do is rarely appreciated yet they play an important role in various events from music concerts and corporate events to churches and even burial ceremonies, but I don’t think they are given the credit they deserve. This is what the contest is here for. We not only want to identify who makes the difference but also give prizes to the best performers as a sign of appreciation for the job they do,” Kethia Kayonga, one of the contest organisers, tells Weekender. “Some DJs are lucky to have an address where they entertain people on a daily basis but there are also hidden talents that need such a platform like this to show what they are capable of. We hope to see exciting performances from the DJs because this is an opportunity that can help them build their careers,” she says. According to organisers, participating at the DJs competition is free of charge and open to every DJ, aspiring or established. Registration is ongoing until August 6, where 20 DJs will be selected for the next stage. They will be reduced to 10 a week later. On August 20, a four-man panel of judges of Nigerian DJ Neptune, who recently performed in Kigali in June, South African DJ Khathu, Uganda’s DJ Khadir and Rwanda’s DJ Sharif, the founder of local DJ School ‘Scratch Music Academy’, will decide the top five that will progress to the finals. The winners of the contest will be announced during the grand finale slated for August 27 at Camp Kigali. With or without experience, famous or not, Kayonga says how DJs will perform during the contest will decide who will take home the prizes with the overall winner set to walk away with a brand-new Mercedes Benz car worth Rwf 25 million as the top prize for the contest. To join the contest, record a not-more-than-five-minute video of yourself to show a sample of your mixing skills with a brief introduction of yourself. Video routines must include a minimum of 5-tracks. The contestants’ performance will be judged based on five criteria namely originality (40 per cent), skills (20 per cent), music selection (20 per cent), crowd response (10 per cent) and public voting (10 per cent). Besides the top prize, organisers will also recognise the best upcoming DJ with a cash prize of Rwf 2 million while the best female DJ will be awarded equipment worth Rwf 5 million. To register for the contest, click here.
