Nigerian Artistes Will Compete With Foreign Counterparts Soon-DJ Drex

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How long have you been in music and what were the challenges you faced and still facing?. 

My journey into (DJ) started on December 24th 1999 after church service; you know it’s a Christmas eve day, I heard there was a carnival going on in the next street and I decided to go there and had a nice time. I met the DJ mixing up the beat and I fell in love with what he was doing and I said to myself ‘I can do this and I will do it’. From that day I started looking for the place to meet with a DJ who would teach me how to DJ.

For the love I have for the job, I would move from Alimosho to Lekki beach, then there was this show there tagged (DTD) jam show every Sunday 4pm to 6pm, there I met with lots of DJs. DJ FX2, DJ SHA SHA SHINA and so on. They never gave me the chance to express myself, I kept going there until 2003 when I met with DJ TREX. He was DJING in one of the hotels in my area and I asked a friend who is close to him to introduce me to him and he did and we became friends and I told him my love for good music and my interest to be a DJ. He accepted and I started working with him as an apprentice. When my father knew about it he said I would never be a DJ. I want you to finish your school and go to the university. But the love I have for the game kept growing and my father used to beat me because of my passion. In 2004, my parents moved to Ayobo while my school was still  in Alimosho. Looking at the stress and logistics of going from Ayobo to school, I told my parents that I would stay with a friend and would be coming home every Friday, then I was about entering SSS3. My request was granted to stay with my friends and that helped me to focus on my training more. I learnt the craft in no time and better than those who were ahead of me and that put me ahead of them as their senior. In 2005, I started working with one of the hotels in my area (Jaguar Hotel) where they used to pay me N2,500 monthly. For the love I have for the job, I kept my dream alive by seeking for job at other hotels and in 2007 I was employed at one of the biggest hotels in Alimosho (Okiki Hotels Gowon Estate). I have been privileged to work with lots of hotels. I’m currently signed to a label called BM ENTERTAINMENT.

DJ DREX is a professional VDJ/DJ with a live performing energy to move any crowd; I have worked with a lot of reputable organizations in and outside the country.

Not just being a DJ, I am also a professional sound engineer. I have built myself to be one of the household names in Alimosho Local Government.

 

What is your type of music and how much are you doing to push your brand to make an impact on fans of your genre? 

As a DJ, I love all kinds of music with good message and a good beat to back it up.

 

Who among the star musicians is/are your role model/s?

American artiste (Mary J, 50cent, 2pac, snoop doggy) Nigeria Artist (Paul play, DJ Neptune,  DJ Snoop da Damaja, DJ Mondollar, DJ Khoded, DJ Faze, Femi Kuti, Flavour, Tekno, 9ice).

 

Have you ever been featured in a concert show and, if you had, what was your first experience like in front of a huge crowd?

A lot of shows, my first major concert was not that bad because I had someone with me to cheer me up.

 

Who among the star artistes are you looking to collaborate with? 

I have worked with 9ice, Rayce, Olu Maintain, YQ, Artquake, Breezi, 2baba , Late Dagrin, Marvellous Benji, Bigiano, Small Doctor, Clever Jay, Plantation Boys,CDQ etc.

 

What is your ultimate target in music? 

My ultimate target is to be among the top Nigerian DJs.

 

Tell us about your family and educational background.

I was born into the family of Mr & Mrs Onyemaoke. I am from Imo State, Orlu LG, born in the 80s and brought up in Lagos, Alimosho (LGA) and as we all know, Alimosho is the biggest local government in Lagos. I am the second child in the family of four, three boys and a girl. I attended primary school and moved to the State High School, Alimosho for my secondary education. I couldn’t further my education because of funds.

 

Who is your celebrity crush? 

2 Baba, Don Jazzy, Eve, Di Ja Niniola, Seyi Shay.

 

What else do you do outside disk jockey to keep body and soul together? 

Swimming, watching movies and listening to other DJs.

 

Share with us a moment you will never forget in your career.

In 2004, I went for an event and they were giving food to other guests and they did not give me. I approached the lady in charge of food and I told her that I have not been served and she said “who are you?”. I told her I am the (DJ) and she replied “what a low class occupation.

What is your relationship with God? 

I am nothing without God.

What’s your opinion about the Nigerian music industry?

Nigerian music industry is getting better and with the competition, everyone is really working hard to become better. It’s just a matter of time; the foreign artistes will also be looking up to us here.