“If you think being a disc jockey is not a profession to earn from, think twice,” says Evans Mwendwa, popularly known as DJ Spin. His love for mixing songs, choosing tracks that are suitable for the crowd and event, and most all ensuring that people are thrilled, has taken him quite a journey of learning.DJ Spin’s passion for music impelled him to start a as a disc jockey in school in 2020, but it dates way back. Although he showed different interests ranging from medicine to singing and dancing (so much with the latter that he formed several dance groups), disc jockeying outdid them all.“I was exposed to disc jockeying at a tender age, and I was certain it was the right direction. I therefore took it and became the official school DJ in high school when I was 17, but professionally, I started when I was 23,” Mwendwa says.At that time, he was pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree at Makerere University in Uganda, where he utilised every opportunity to deejay at campus events and parties, and this eventually connected him to Uganda-based Power FM, a Watoto Church radio station.One would think he took some courses in mixing music, but no, he taught himself most of the skills and learnt from observing others. His adage is ‘when you have passion, nothing stops you.’Growing up, he says, there weren’t DJ schools like we have today. “I used to attend gigs and concerts just to connect and watch established DJs, I got a few practice sessions, and I didn’t have any equipment by then. When I got a chance, I used to ask so many questions, such as how certain things worked, how to perform and so forth, I resorted to YouTube, and it was the best teacher,” he expresses happily.A person of many titles, such as TV and radio host, master of ceremonies, motivational speaker, husband and father, for Mwendwa, YouTube is a university for this generation, as you can have access to unlimited information, and tutorials. “My struggle to learn this by myself provoked me to start a DJ school to share expertise with others,” he says.Starting the academyMwendwa started Innovation DJ Academy for people with a passion for music and entertainment; it is a registered music school that offers high quality professional music, training and education.The Muhima-based academy was launched in 2020, in partnered with another DJ by the name Kelvin, and has currently enrolled youth and older people.He adds that the academy offers 360 degrees kind of learning syllabus for students, theoretical class sessions, practical DJ sessions, audio and video mixing skills, scratching skills, sound mixing and event management skills, among others.This year, he points out that the academy had two intakes which enrolled a good number of students. They now have 35 students at different levels of studies, who normally study for three months with a one month internship placement at radio or TV.“I loved and still love music ever since I was young. I remember spoiling most of my father’s radios and cassettes trying to comprehend how they worked. I fell in love with disc jockeying when I was in high school after attending a gig hosted by deejays,” he says.For him, opening the academy originally aimed at offering a platform for music passionate people to learn and gain skills. But also, it has been his desire to elevate the standard of disc jockeying as a career like any other.Mwendwa is of the view that jockeying as a career can sustain someone’s life, and offer them a good future. He hopes that the academy will give a solid contribution to the entertainment and media industry and push for professional, experienced and well skilled and disciplined DJs.He says that the academy offers a discounted fees plan for students, engages with schools as well to offer DJ music classes as a co-curricular activity during school days and over the holidays.Plans and challengesMwendwa highlights that he is currently offering full DJ courses including practice sessions and emceeing. Next year, he anticipates adding other music and entertainment related courses such as music production, guitar and piano classes, drumming and dancing classes.“Our biggest challenge was the Covid-19 pandemic as it closed doors for schooling and opportunities for our students and business. We are doing well, though we are encountering a mental shift for the people who view disc jockeying as a waste of time than being a stable professional career like others,” he says.The DJ explains that there are a number of opportunities in the field like radio disc jockeying, TV disc jockeying, mobile disc jockeying, sound mixing and management, music production, event and occasion disc jockeying, et cetera.“Although there is a pool of opportunities in this industry, how a DJ brands and positions him or herself is key,” he adds.Encouragement and role modelsMwendwa looks up to DJ Moz from Kenya who inspired him. Internationally, American based DJ Jazzy Jeff, whose story on how he rose from nothing to become one of the best DJs in the world inspired him.“He is a DJ, music producer, teacher, movie actor, and author. Though he is 57 years old, he is still as energetic as a 20-year-old,” Mwendwa says of Jazzy Jeff.According to Mwendwa, people say that passion is everything. If you have passion for music and you desire to be a DJ, nothing should stop you. “Deejaying is an amazing career, yet you can do it as a profession or as a hobby,” he says.He urges parents to support their children’s dreams as that’s the best give. He recalls his mother telling him, “Son, all of us have been gifted by God differently, don’t be a copy-paste of someone else, rather, bring out the gift that God placed in you when He created you.”Elevating female DJsUnlike before when disc jockeying was a male-dominated thing, women have started embracing the profession. Mwendwa highlights that there are a good number of female DJs enrolled in the academy and doing a great job.They are encouraged to build their confidence and do what male colleagues are doing and even better.Ladies who join the profession are urged to do it wholeheartedly, because they can turn into professional DJs locally and internationally as some females have proved that it is possible, he notes.DJs play a very big role in building the entertainment industry and looking at the current trends, it can only get better. “Creativity and innovation are key and everyone has a role to play in this, from competitions, schools, to events, clubs and others,” Mwendwa says.
