DJ Kaydee The Self Taught Spin Master

By David Odongo 

DJ Kaydee started spinning right after high school. Like many spin masters from his days, he never went to any DJ academy, largely because there were none, but is a self taught spin master. Through innovation, his DJ routines and creative on-stage antics have made him a favourite of crowds all over the region.

“I used to go to clubs, sit next to the DJs, and befriend them. Soon they would let me hold the decks for a few minutes as they took breaks. I then realised I was getting better and better and soon landed my first Job as a DJ at Coco Beach, Buruburu,” recalls DJ Kaydee.

Over the past one decade, DJ Kaydee has built a collection thousands of records, refining his skills and style to the tune of global recognition.

Kaydee is well known for his sonic creativity and incorporating a wide range of musical styles from soul to funk, hip-hop to Samba. Every now and then, he loves to surprise an audience with a forgotten gem, an unknown banger, or a fresh take on a well-known hit.

“I have always loved music from a young age and I was always exposed to quality music, not really understanding the true value of its message or artistic value,” he recalls.  He started to develop a strong interest in being a DJ when he saw the effect music has on the crowd.

“Being a DJ has given me the ability to express myself and my emotions through the craft of mixing,” says Kaydee.

He was influenced heavily by the DJs, at the time, who were mix masters of repute and singles out DJ Babu of Takeover DJs as the one he paid the most attention to.

After a few months at Coco Beach, DJ Kaydee enlisted for a deejaying competition at Club Vybestar that would change his life.

“I entered the competition alongside DJ Mr Prime and DJ Spin. I won the competition and that’s when Homeboys took me in as an in-house DJ. DJ Mr Prime was taken in by Code Red while Mr Spin was taken in by Scratchaholics Deejays,” says Kaydee.

He was to stay at Homeboys for four years, eventually becoming the lead DJ. In 2006, he left Homeboyz DJs Unit to join YFM, recently rebranded to Hot 96.

 “I have done Mass Communications at Daystar and I joined the radio station as a producer and a DJ. I had a show and after one year, I joined Kiss FM “

He was to stay at Radio Africa until early 2008 when he left for a whole year of international shows in the US touring and playing at events in about thirty states. It was a real eye opener and he also learnt something from those he toured with.

He came back to Kenya in 2009 and was immediately snapped by Homeboys Entertainment, who had now started a radio station.

He was to balance his radio job, play local gigs as well as play in clubs until 2009, when he felt he had had enough.

“I was physically worn out. I was everywhere, playing at private parties, had a radio show, and also had a few clubs,” says Kaydee. He left radio in 2010 to play for Bacchus, Skyluxx, Capri Sevens and Secrets.

He stopped playing for Skyluxx in June last year and ventured into production.

“I have a fully fledged studio in my house and I put my energies into production. So far, I have done a lot of adverts, jingles, you name it, I will do it. I also do video production,” he reveals.

Kaydee, however, says he has never produced music in his studio, a fact he credits to his impatient nature.

“Music production requires a very patient guy, I am not. So I stick to what I can do best, and I am happy to say I am comfortable,” he stresses.

Nowadays, DJ Kaydee says he only plays for Galileo, Mojos and private functions.

Along the way, he has mentored other DJS like DJ Krowbar, DJ Wesley, DJ Final Kut, Alqaeda and FBI dancers

In 2011, Kaydee emerged the winner of the East Africa Pioneer convention DJ battle. The competition held at Galileo Extreme in Nairobi had three finalists — Kaydee, DJ Spin and DJ E. Kaydee trounced his competitors to take home the grand prize, the Pioneer CDj 900 and DJ M 350.

Of his equipment, DJ Kaydee is proud to reveal: “My current DJ set up is Traktor Scratch Pro with a Mac Book Pro and an Allen & Heath Mixer Xone 3D through a BBE Sonic Maximiser with a Mackie Blackjack audio interface through my computer. I use the control vinyl with Traktor and a Pioneer CDJ 1000 and a mic.”