Besides being a Dj, I have also ventured into farming

Locally renowned mix master Kamonye George Waweru, popularly known as deejay Kalonje, is a man of many faces. A music producer, video director, farmer, father, husband and businessman, the deejay, who is currently on a three month tour of the US. He speaks to Caroline Nyanga about mentoring some of the most popular spins masters of our times.

Q: Does deejaying pay your bills?

K: Yes, extremely well. But being the ambitious person I am, I have also ventured into livestock farming among other businesses.

Q: Where are you based and what genre of music do you specialise in?

K: I am based in Nairobi's Pangani area where I do what I know how to do best – entertain people using my skills giving them the best of music all night long. The kind of music I play varies owing to the different crowds I meet every other day.

 This means that I have to embark on researching the type of music that will keep my fans going and also enable me remain relevant.

Q: Part of what contributed to your fame was ability to supply local matatus with your mixtapes. What inspired you to take that unconventional route?

K: It was a stepping stone for me. I am glad it worked. Although I began by supplying mixtapes to matatus plying Eastleigh routes (numbers 9 and 6), with time the demand grew to other routes.

Q: Not only have you been consistent in being able to woo listeners from mainstream music, you have also entertained revellers within matatus for the last ten years. What's your secret?

K: It all comes down to self-confidence and knowing what to do at the right time in the right place to the right people. The fact that I have always embraced humility, hard work and putting God first – has worked well for me.

Q: Is this an inborn thing or something you learnt?

K: Despite music being a great part of me ever since I was a child – (through my father's love for music which revolved around playing piano and visiting various record labels), - I later took it upon myself to learn the art of deejaying through an entertainment company called City Rollers, based in Nairobi between the years 2006 and 2008.

I used to attend their shows and hang around the deejay booth to check out how they worked. With time I realized that it is what I wanted to do as a full time profession.

Q: What makes you different from the rest?

K: The fact that I bring it out as it is but still manage to appeal to thousands of fans locally and abroad. Having been in the profession for a decade, my efficiency, skill and dedication to what I do has enabled me remain consistent and cut across fans of all age groups and genres despite the changing deejaying and music trends not to mention the huge number of deejays in industry.

Q: You have been to several clubs within Kenya not to mention abroad- what is the difference?

K: Well the difference basically is the fan base and music depending on which country and place I am entertaining people. But despite this one thing that has kept me going is the love and appreciation I have received from my huge fan base locally and abroad over the years.

Apart from some of the local clubs among them K1, Ignition, The Blend, Cubano, Tribeka, Galileo, Club Office and Skylounge where I am known to do my thing , I have been contracted to spin in Dubai, Qatar, Burundi, DRC Congo, Uganda, Australia, Seychelles, and currently my US tour courtesy of Breakpoint Entertainment. I am on the verge of touring 30 cities for a period of three months among them Las Vegas, Washington DC, Kansas, New York and Dallas.

Q: Are you passing the knowledge to anyone?

K: Yes, I have mentored a number of renowned deejays among them deejays Presley, Katta, Nadim, Carlos, Vybz Denno, Tyne, Kiponda, lazlo. I also own a Dj Academy called Mixmasters located within Nairobi's Pangani estate. We specialize in grooming young , upcoming and aspiring local deejays for a three month course costing Sh30,000.

Q: Have you encountered situations where deals go wrong and how you managed to cope?

K: Like any other business, deejaying has it ups and down more so when it comes to promoters breaching contracts. Although during the initial stages of my career I fell victim to some of these con promoters – today, I upped my game besides being extremely careful before I can agree to sign a contract. Despite this I am glad that majority of the shows have gone perfectly as planned.

Q: Are you in a relationship or have any kids considering the nature of your job where people tend to think that it is hard for you to settle down?

K: It may be true but that is not the case for me. I have a beautiful family comprising a stunning wife and two amazing kids.

Q: What's your take on medical cover, do you have one?

It's very important to have one like any ordinary family man you have to make sure your family is well taken care of and yes I have one.

Q: Your advice to aspiring deejays.

K: To always put God first in whatever they do besides embracing humility, patience and ability to learn. They should never forget the people and the long journey they have come upon making it at the top.