Switching earrings for headphones

We have female MPs, senior public servants, CEOs and world conquering athletes. But we have a painfully short list of female disc jockeys in Kenyan showbiz scene. Outside of martial arts, no other institutional discrimination comes close. However, there still is, the determined lot, write Matilda Nzioki and David OdongoA story is told of a female DJ who was pulling her crate of records into the DJ booth when security personnel stopped her. She was told to get out of the booth because she was getting into the DJ’s way. She tried to explain that she did indeed belonged behind the turntables. The response she got… "No you’re not; you’re a girl." This particular DJ’s experience is not unique world over. DJ SolstarMany women DJs in the club scenes have found themselves treated with a mixture of scepticism and condescension. After many years of disc jockey backwaters, female disc jockeys have come forth and bravely shown their intent on breaking their way into a male-dominated field. Theirs, however, has been a hard task, as we rarely hear of female DJs headlining big shows. "We have a very carteled field and few promoters are ready to try new DJs," says Lilian Thothoi aka DJ Steel, who studied the art at Black Supremacy Sounds. She adds that many jobs often go to old hands leaving most female DJs without big shows.According to DJ Shock, of MadLove Lounge, it isn’t an easy road to make it to the top as a female DJ."I’ve been a disc jockey since 2004. It hasn’t been easy but I have seen God’s hand every step of the way," she reflects."Building a strong fanbase was the most difficult, getting people to acknowledge and appreciate your talent isn’t easy…but I now have people sending me music through the mail," says the Homeboyz DJ Academy graduate. "I have interacted with international celebrity DJs such as DJ Official, DJ Morph, DJ Immortal, and many others. It is also humbling to see God elevate DJs you love and admire, for people like DJ Riq, DJ Octave, DJ Krowbar, DJ Mo, it was a long time coming," adds the determined DJ who also participated in the Pilsner Mfalme DJ Competition.Crowd pullerAs a born again DJ, Shock has no reservations performing in clubs or secular events. "I have done lots of such events!" she exclaims.DJ Shock"The most recent one I did was the Smirnoff Party earlier this year. And yes, I mixed gospel the whole night. Interestingly enough, people really came over to me to appreciate it; they even dragged their stools closer to listen, requested songs and gave me the thumbs up! You don’t always have to collide with people to make an impact as a Christian," She adds.Leakey Odera of Pambazuka Entertainment argues that any promoter will want a crowd-puller, so that they can make their returns. "If the girls market themselves, they will be used in big events why shouldn’t they? But I feel safer having a DJ Pinye or a DJ John at my event, than some other unknown name," he says.DJ Caramel aka Stella Mbugua, who learnt deejaying at Homeboyz Academy out of her liking for partying, thinks that female DJs actually have an added advantage over men when it comes to trying to headline big shows. "It is not as hard to market oneself. As a matter of fact people are intrigued and find female DJs to be more enticing than their male counterparts," notes the former Code Red DJ adding that the women just need to put a little more effort in branding themselves. Adam Nyakundi of Centre Stage, one of the event companies that has been credited with bringing international stars to Kenya says that he would indeed love to have a female DJ to star in his show as she would be a fascination to many, hence attract a crowd. DJ CaramelAs one of the few female DJs in the game, DJ Caramel has explored some strategies intended to reverse the downward trend. "I was keen on looking into the issue, but I’ve been forced to put that on hold since I have stopped deejaying for a while," she says, due to personal reasons.This on and off availability of female DJs is what has been said to be the bug affecting their growth in the game. "Many female DJs are inconsistent. They are here today and tomorrow they are not, I think that is what works against them," notes Adam. Monali Shah, popularly known as DJ Lil’ Mo, one of the veteran female DJs in Kenya cannot agree more. "It’s true that female DJs come and go, it would be good if they were consistent," she said. The ex-Homeboyz DJ is an events organiser and still a DJ, albeit on special request. She just jetted into the country after working with a company that did the opening and closing ceremony of the World Cup. She says that she would love to see the female DJs grow in stature. "We had even thought of forming a female DJs group when I was in Homeboyz," she recalls.Chris Kirwa says that the most probable reason why female DJs do not propel themselves is that there is a perception that, for them, it’s not a money-spinning venture. The truth is, they are well aware of the returns. Caramel says, "A DJ can easily net Sh100,000 a month and that’s when they are working four times a month, on weekends." Why the feline beauties don’t boost themselves still remains an unknown phenomenon.Kirwa, who notes that he would comfortably work with a female DJ, says that the industry players should also get it out of their minds that it is only males who can perform. Leakey suggests that any DJ unit with female DJs should also push them up and put them on the map, instead of only hyping particular DJs, so as to address the persistent gender imbalance in the sector.There are those who have however gone against all odds and set turntables ablaze in huge parties. DJ Frida recently had her name in banners and fliers alongside DJ John and DJ Pinye at the Fiesta party held in Mombasa at the new Big Tree Beach Hotel. DJ Solstar who was trained by DJ Pinye played at the famous Lost In The 90s gigs and several Mnet Idols after parties, besides being featured on giant music channel Channel O. DJ Elektra aka Elizabeth Gachihi has played on the same platform as DJs Adrian and Pinye and at an event where American R&B stars 112 were present.Female DJs also face unique challenges. Last year, the late DJ Aisha, who was a DJ Steelpermanent fixture at Zeep is said to have gotten into a fight with her boyfriend. It is allegedly that the boyfriend was not comfortable with her job.Other beauties who have decided to switch their earrings for headphones include Nakuru’s DJ Lilly who was a finalist at the maiden Pilsner Mfalme DJ competition, DJ Crystal, another veteran DJ Kerry formerly of Carnivore before she left the country, and musicians Natty Gal and Rat-a-tat.Internationally though, some of the best DJs are female.Dressing the partDJ Caramel wants to see her fellow sisters in the art excel. She advises that they have to have their own identity, and not being that person in the background. They should not only deejay well, but can also come up with gimmicks, dress the part, and incorporate emceeing and dancing as well if possible. "It’s not all about deejaying, give people something to remember or to talk about. Pull A Nicki Minaj or a Lady Gaga," she advises, saying that this is to ensure one becomes a real entertainer, while standing out from the crowd.Caramel adds that female DJs should never do gigs for free just to prove themselves, unless it is a charity event.So what’s going on here? Is it blatant sexism at the highest level? Are the industry movers and shakers responsible? Is it possible that only a few special women are capable of handling deejaying equipment at a professional level? According to Ugandan ragga sensation, Peter Miles, female deejays still have a long way to go "In Uganda, we have very few female DJs. The field is crowded with male disc jockeys. I would wish to see more females come forward and battle it out with the men. As the saying goes what a man can do, a woman can do better," he adds. The situation isn’t any different in Tanzania. "Few years back female DJs were unheard of…but times have changed," says Bongo producer and rapper Jaffarai. "Nowadays, I see a few females coming forward to try it out. I wouldn’t mind having a female deejay during concerts," says Jaffarai. Ugandan artiste, Bebe Cool, think parents aren’t very supportive to their daughters when it comes to deejaying as a career. "Imagine the crazy working hours. No father can allow his daughter to do that," he says.But Coast based DJ Bunduki begs to differ, "Most females are shy, they rarely venture into fields men are. I only know one female DJ in Mombasa — DJ Farida. The society is still biased against women," he says. But of all disc jockeys, some such as Benny D, Akon’s DJ seems to be doing something about the sad situation. "I have trained a couple of female disc jockeys, the most recent one being Atlanta’s DJ Cha Cha Jones. Generally, when I deejay for Akon or Eve, it doesn’t require us to have more than one DJ on stage. But when I deejay in the clubs I have worked with female DJ’s before like DJ Shadia from the Middle East and DJ Cocoa Chanelle from NYC." says the DJ who spots a mo-hawk. "I’m not sure why there aren’t as many female DJs in Africa. Some of them can deejay just as good as some men and even better so I think they just need to build that confidence and push it," says the international Disc Jockey.It takes a brave woman to stand behind the decks, in a crowded club and mix music, particularly given the general behaviour of men at these places. Most men, while clubbing, are hyped-up on adrenaline and eager for confrontation at the slightest of excuse. With their mob mentality and drunken state, one wrong choice of a song … and the mob could turn on the deejay. &#12288;

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