‘I dropped my first single FRIENDS last year produced and written by me. I have produced for the legend and Oga nla of Fuji and Hiphop, Pasuma Wonder. I was actually one of the major producers on his Hiphop album’ – DJ Toxiq

Without sounding sexist, when I received the mail on her and the resume read: A Deejay that doubles as a producer and also a performing artiste, I thought it was a mistake, so I did the unusual and put a call through to confirm all the information. It was a big surprise when the phone rang and I introduced myself; she was shell shocked but I was straight on asking all the questions and found myself impressed by all I confirmed. In a male dominated industry, female producers that have such expertise could be compared to blue diamonds.

You are a deejay, music producer and performing artiste, kindly take us through the journey?

“I have always loved to sing but was a terrible singer compared to my sister lol, but from the very first day I was exposed to Music Production I fell in love and as a girl in love I wanted to know everything if not all about music. With the help of my mum I got a system, with the help of friends, books, and the internet I started doing my own beats and would deejay for my compound people, class mates, course mates just for fun until I got an offer to be the official DJ for one of the Major Clubs in Port Harcourt and becoming the first female DJ in that city. As at then it was hard combining production with full time deejaying owing to the fact the demand was more than the supply as everyone loves to have a female DJ turning up their party as it was rare but now it’s part of my many blessings.

As a music producer, which songs have you produced or co-produced?

I dropped my first single FRIENDS last year produced and written by me. It’s currently gaining mad buzz. I have produced for the legend and Oga nla of Fuji and Hiphop, Pasuma Wonder. I was actually one of the major producers on his Hiphop album. I produced ‘Ogede Ti Pon’ which got him The prestigious NEA awards, ‘Am On Fire’ featuring Phyno, ‘Oruka’, ‘Abo’, etc. I produced a couple of tracks for Star girl Cynthia Morgan, Timaya, Lafiaji himself, Vector, Olamide and the full YBNL family.

How’s life as a performing artiste?

It’s no different from being a DJ these days because I combine everything. I always have this saying -“The Goal.” I also set them in everything I do and if I am given the chance to perform, the goal is entertain and that’s what you’re going to see.

What makes you distinct and what should the industry expect from you in 2017?

I Will be dropping my new single FOR YOU produced and performed by me, launching my website with free beats and tutorial videos on how I came up with some tunes and samples; I know how hard creating Afro beat was few years ago when there were little or no tutorials about them. I will be dropping one of the tracks featuring Cynthia Morgan later this year, it’s an Afro beat, Hiphop and dancehall tune, one of my favorites genres to produce after dropping the one with Timaya first week of March this year with the visuals and also working on a spicy project as both friend, DJ and producer with Vector and the YBNL family.

How did your folks react to your career path?

They didn’t like it at all (lol), I used to sneak out for shows when I was home. They couldn’t comprehend the career change from being a medical doctor to deejaying and making beats. Make beats ke??? I remember coming home one day with a keyboard and was asked to return it lol. Heaven knew how badly I wanted to hide that keyboard.

Are you signed to any record label?

Presently I am not.

What are your views on the Nigerian entertainment industry so far?

Normally I will say one or two faults here and there but right now I just want to appreciate everyone involved in this industry, from the media houses, digital and prints, social media, DJs, actors, artistes, studio engineers, labels, producers, PR, managers, management, fans, everyone! It’s becoming the biggest in the world. Yes, there are things we feel we know or can do better but come on everyone has a dark and light side, I was in Houston for an event last year and you needed to have seen the traffic in that region just because Nigerians were partying, and only Afro beats could be heard. I DJ’ed in a few after parties and the party only turned up more while playing Afro beats, and when people recognized my accent and I tell them I am from Nigeria they wanna engage you in a conversation about some Nigerian acts doing it big over there. Just nothing but love…

Let us into your personal life, tell us about you?

My real name is Oribhabor Ann Amen, first child in a family of 8, I am a graduate of Plant Science and Technology, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers state. Everyone who knows me knows my immense love for music and also I hardly sit down in a turn up (lol). I started off as an artiste, songwriter and I have dropped a couple of singles either written and produced by me or just produced by me with another act on the track. In 2015 I was awarded Guinness Made of Black Hero Table of Men for my contribution to the upcoming superstars, giving them free beats, recording sessions and more. My favorite food is white rice and stew with beans and plenty meat (lol). I love ripped skinny jeans, jackets and loose tops.

– Sesan Adeniji

Culled from Mystreetz Magazine