Love him or hate him, one of Nigeria’s finest DJs, DJ Sose always presents one with a delightful experience anytime he shares the pains he had to go through before hitting the limelight. Not many people know that Sose was born in Ibadan and that he has not visited the capital city for more than thirty years. From Ibadan to hungary to London and back to Lagos .He had a revealing interview session with SEGUN ADEBAYO. Excerpts:
You have been on top of your game for many years. Rising on top of one’s game is something, staying on it meaningfully is another thing that seems to be very difficult for Nigerian celebs in this part of the world. In your own evaluation, would you say you have handled the famous part of your life very well?
Well, so far, I have been able to balance it out as well as I can with a lot of help from family, friends and of course, GrayTiger EntTeam. They all keep me grounded and focused on day to day tasks needed to continue and cope with the obstacles and challenges.
Are you saying you can handle it better if you are ten times bigger than what you are today?
With their help and support, I believe we are going to remain on top for as long as God permits. We have been together for a while and this is the result of our hard work over the years.
What was it like growing up knowing that you have a dual citizenship?
To be honest with you, it is the same feeling and experience that comes with mixed marriages. It has its pros and cons, but here we are today. We thank God.
Where exactly did you grow up and what childhood experience do you still carry around till date?
I did a bit of growing up here and a bit of it in Hungary. So, I can’t point out one exact experience that I carry around with me till date. I know it has been mixed feelings.
Let’s talk about your journey into the world of DJ, how did you find your way into it?
I’ve always been surrounded by music from a very young age as my dad used to be a Dj in his time, so you could say it’s in the blood. Although, it didn’t come to light until back in 1998 when I was doing A Levels in Europe.
You were born in Ibadan, but I’m sure not many people would know you have history with the city. Tell us, what can you remember about Ibadan?
That’s a good question. I can’t remember being asked that question. It shows you did your research well about me. It’s been a while I visited that city, but thinking back now what I remember most about it was the tranquillity of the town and its iconic locations...like the Zoo, Bashorun where BCOS is located not sure if it’s still there now, UCH where I was born & UI.
Do you ever have time to visit Ibadan for anything at all?
No, I haven’t actually since we moved to Lagos. But looking to do so in the near future as I’ve heard that it has really developed since back then. It is an experience I’m looking forward to.
How easy was it for you have your face tattooed?
I’m spontaneous. And, I like to apply to it to certain aspects of my life. I doodled around with different designs before I came up with the final one which you see today.
What inspired your decision?
The need to be different and unique. I just took it a step further since I’m in the entertainment game.
How much did it cost you to have the tattoo on your face?
I would rather not say it. I spent quite a bit on consultation fees before coming up with the final design.
Were you not scared it could affect your eyes if any mistake happens?
No, I didnt have any fear. The tattooist has many years of experience in the art and business. I was comfortable giving my face to him.
I learnt you started as a musician and you have released some singles and videos, what’s going on in that aspect of your career?
I have been featuring artists and I am now taking it a step further with doing a bit of singing myself in my latest single “Under The Tree” featuring my producer, Deolu Shogon with many more in the pipeline.
Is your work as a DJ not affecting your music career?
No, it’s not. They are intertwined and I actually get inspiration from both. Like I get concepts for my mixes while working in the studio and in some cases get ideas from tracks I’m mixing for a concept to a new sound that I would end up creating and recording.
We all make mistakes in life and we learn from them or live with them for the rest of our lives. Is there something about your life that would have been better if you had not made certain mistakes while you were growing up?
No no no... every step I have taken so far has made me the person I am today. I hold no regrets to any choices I have made be they good or bad. Everything in life is an experience and molds us into the individuals we are.
You were said to have lived in England for 12 years, what was the experience like?
Oh! If I was to sit down and explain that, we would end up writing out a minimum of 400 pages of autobiography of all that I experienced in London. That part of my life helped me to see the world differently. I tried different odd jobs while I was there. Don’t ask me what kind of job. I know that’s going to be your next question.
Actually, you are wrong. I was going to ask you what took you to England in the first place and what led to your home coming?
My quest for a higher education was the main reason I went. During and after which I got work experiences on the side or during the different vacations. There’s so much I learnt and realised that a lot of which is still yet to be tapped here so after all of it, I decided to move back and come and give back what I was privileged to learn by applying some of it here. Above all, home is where the heart is which is Nigeria.
Before now, people had criticised your job but people like you have continued to prove that it is lucrative and still pays. What is it about disc-jockeying that gives you guys a lot of money?
Branding and consistency are the two most important ingredients you need to succeed on this job. This work is actually a service which when packaged correctly becomes a business.
How do you keep yourself aBosom of others who do the same job like you?
Hey! You this man, you want me to reveal my trade secret to my friends. If I share it with you, I would have to cough cough and cough. I think we should move to the next question.
Why did you choose to stay in Nigeria if you have a dual citizenship?
My heart is and has always been here which makes this place my first home, and if I can’t make it here, then where else would I be able to make it.
Has it ever crossed your mind to leave the country and go live where things are more comfortable for you?
Yes, it has happened many time. I had that feeling when the light kept cutting on and off, making work a little bit difficult. I had to save my work, then shut down, switch on the generating set and then start up the equipment again. It could be very frustrating in most cases not to talk about the cost of diesel or petrol to run the generating set.
What’s your relationship with other DJs like as I learnt there is a lot going on between you guys than meet the eyes?
I have no idea what you are referring to. I keep things neutral with my colleagues, unless you are referring to how we all meet up from time to time and discuss how we can make the industry better for us aside from when we work together at events.
So, how are you guys handling the industry, giving the competitive nature of the job?
We are all working collectively to make things better for the industry as a whole as that is what we are here for. We are slowly bridging the gap between Africa and the rest of the world.
Jimmy Jatt is still rated Nigeira’s number one DJ. How long will It take you guys to catch up with him.?
Jimmy is a Legend so, there’s no need to compete with him.
Have given up on catching up with him?
We would need to have made a major contribution to the industry before we could be talking of catching up with him. He has been in the game for a long time.
Tell me, what would you say has kept him in the game that you guys don’t have?
Jimmy has benefitted greatly from time and experience. That’s the truth of the matter.
What does DJ Sose stand for?
Sose is a short form of Soseneyayi, which means “Bear Witness to the Believer” then it is also my moto to life “Smile Over Sorrow Everyday” - S.O.S.E.
We have not heard much about you having a baby mama or settling down with any woman. May be there is no woman in your life yet?
I don’t have any baby mama or woman in my life just yet. I’m searching and at some point, I will be looking to settle down and take life to the next level.
Some women have alleged that your face is scary, is this true?
Yeah, I know about that but then in some cases, it also attracts them. So, it works both ways.
How come you are scandal free?
I don’t know. May be I am lucky. I don’t dodge it as it is not easy to dodge when you are doing a job that constantly brings you to the full glare of the people. I have a very good management that knows how to curtail stuff like that.
May be you are also one of those celebs that dread scandals?
I am a perfectionist but that doesn’t mean I dread scandals as they add to the experience of life in general.
How long do you think this kind of job will continue to be relevant. Don’t you think one day ,people will stop using Djs and device other methods of entertainment?
That sounds pretty funny to me. This job has been around for a very long time and will continue to be around for a very longtime unless some geek are able to create an artificial intelligence that can communicate just as well as a Dj does by reading the emotions of the crowd while selecting the songs it has to play which I can assure you is not an easy task.
When that day comes, how prepared are you to handle yourself?
I’m an entertainment mogul not just sticking to Djing myself and GrayTiger Ent do other things in entertainment as well.
Tell me about that nasty experience that always makes you laugh anytime you recall?
Nothing nasty comes to mind. That experience is yet to happen. Most of them have been the usual stuff that could happen to anybody that’s in the public eye or not given the right situation. For example, having two ladies fight over me when we were hanging out at a friend’s crib.
What’s the newest thing on your stable right now?
We have got a new feature cooking in the pipeline that will most definitely wow my fan base. An artist that people are not expecting me to work with. A well know veteran in the music business.
What’s your reaction to homosegxwality in the country?
What is there to react about? Homosegxwality is not as bad as it is in the Western world which I experienced.
Experienced like?
I won’t like to talk about that.
Do you think government got it right with a strict law frowning against such act in Nigeria?
I would rather not comment on that.
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