King on the decks

Joseph Mwenda, 23, aka DJ Joe Mfalme, came, saw and conquered. He talks to MATILDA NZIOKI about his aspirations in the game and sets the record straight about burning issues including dating

Pulse: What was your stage name before participating in the Pilsner Mfalme competition?

Joe: Well, before winning the Pilsner Mfalme media DJ competition, I was just known as DJ Joe. I added Mfalme after the win.

P: Do you think the other winners of the actual competition feel like you have locked them out by crowning yourself as Mfalme?

J: Not at all! DJ Krowbar is okay with it, as well as DJ Nelly who actually calls himself King Nelly. I work closely with the reigning champion DJ Ricky. In fact, I have copyrighted the name. After all, I was a finalist during the first competition held in 2008 and emerged second runners-up. Two years later — 2010 — I won the media challenge during the launch of the second Pilsner Mfalme competition.

P: How do you find the competition in the crowded field as compared to the past?

J: Deejaying is nowadays more professional. The disc jockeys are business minded. And there’s money in it too. One can live off deejaying. Technology has made the work easier and one does not have to carry a load of records anymore. You just carry a laptop. And there are many avenues to sharpen one’s skill by just clicking the mouse and going online for deejay tutorials. On the flipside, kitambo guys were creative. Deejays Kaydee and John were on top of their game. Nowadays easy software has killed that creative edge.

P: Interesting. A while ago you had a Facebook spat with Kaydee when he condemned software DJs. Have you changed your mind?

J: Mmmh! Lets face it! One cannot grow if they only stick to the old school DJing. I learnt to deejay using CDs, but I can play records as well. I embrace everything. Every DJ must know how to use the equipment.

P: How did you get into the game?

J: I came to Nairobi from Meru after clearing high school for my college studies. I was staying at a hostel in Parklands when I heard on radio that Capital FM was doing the ‘mix masters’ search at Museum Hill, near where I was staying. I was already interested in deejaying and used to practise six hours a day. I just showed up in shorts and slippers. The judges were Eve de Souza, WDJ and DJ Adrian. I made it through round one. Round two took place on the same day as the 2008 Groove Awards, which I was deejaying. Luckily, I made it.

P: When did you make a breakthrough?

J: There are several instances. Getting a chance to play on Eve de Souza’s show Hits Not Homework raised my profile. I also played during the Breakfast Show hosted by Eve and Gaetano, thus introducing myself to a different audience. I also toured with DJ Krowbar and DJ Tibbz after emerging number three in the first Pilsner Mfalme competition.

P: How did it feel to play in a popular radio show as an unknown DJ?

J: Oh my! I had butterflies in my tummy. It was quite challenging since it was a live show, not to mention the big names such as DJ Stylez who had been on the same slot. I prepared the 20 minutes set for two days!

P: How would you describe a great deejay?

J: A person who is disciplined. I don’t expect to see someone playing holding a beer or smoking. Respect your job. A DJ must be focused, skillful and stylish. Every DJ must know his music well from the 1980s to remain relevant to the crowd.

P: Do you think you just described yourself?

J: Not really. I think that’s my idol DJ Jazzy Jeff previously of the sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel Air. I’m trying to get up there, especially in terms of skill.

P: Being a full-time deejay, how does your day play out?

J: My day starts at 3am, and I come to town at 11am. I have to practise on the decks then work out. For the rest of the day I do marketing, updating my website joemfalme.com, attend meetings, downloading music, coming up with ideas on future events, recording at the studio and doing radio shows. I go back home around 10pm. It’s different from the typical club deejay’s schedule.

My manager helps me a lot as he plans my gigs and I concentrate on the art.

P: Which is the biggest show you have played so far?

J: Big Brother Africa 2010 and 2011. The viewership and exposure was huge. The recent International Rugby Board Sevens series held in Las Vegas where Jamaican singer Alaine performed was also big. I played alongside DJ Kriss Darling with whom we make a good tag team. There were also the World Cup after parties in South Africa too.

P: How is it playing outside the country?

J: It is challenging because one plays for a diverse crowd of different nationals. The 2010 World Cup parties in South Africa was one of them. Doing a set that kept all or most patrons on the dance floor was an uphill task. Gladly, I played alongside DJ Pinye and since he’s experienced, it worked out well.

P: What major show do you dream of playing at?

J: I would love to play alongside DJ Tiesto, who pulls a crowd of 200,000 fans. His daily event is held at a stadium. Just check his shows on Youtube. I also like Funk Master Flex.

P: Where do you see yourself in five years time?

J: I hope to go international. I want to grow bigger businesswise and in career. And international does not mean doing random gigs out of the country but playing for a crowd that’s not associated with me in anyway, over and over.

Top deejays in the world get customised equipment from companies that manufacture deejaying machine. I hope to get there someday. At the same time, one has to be humble.

I don’t believe in retiring at 40 as the older you get, the better you should be because of experience.

P: What are you doing to get there?

J: Being consistent. That way one more person gets to know me each day. Five years down the line, those are 365 times five people. Everyday is a learning experience, you just have to stay relevant.

P: So, are you dating?

J: I was last in a relationship around January last year. Chicks in Nairobi have become tricky. I want someone who doesn’t know Joe Mfalme and I have to introduce myself like, "Hi, I’m Mwenda."

P: So are you going to look for a chick in Zimbabwe or something...

J: (Laughs) By the way I wanted to go to TZ but it’s never that serious. I’m more into my career right now, things will fall in place.