How to Become a DJ in Kenya: Types, Skills and Career Path Explained

The deejaying industry in Kenya has taken the shape of a formal profession, with competition in the sector being driven by the dynamic entertainment culture in various cities like Nairobi and Mombasa and several towns.

DJs are in demand in the country, whether it is in the upscale clubs of the city, corporate events, radio stations, or music festivals.

However, it is not just about having the talent and the passion for music; it is about having a formal education in the field as well.

Over the past few years, formal academies for the professional education of DJs in Kenya have been set up.

Some of the prominent ones include the Kamata DJ Academy, Music Inn International, Sensei Institute of Technology, and the Visualdo Institute.

These academies offer professional courses in the field of deejaying for beginners as well as intermediate learners.

Typically, the courses offered in the field of deejaying in Kenya last for about three to four months, depending on the nature of the course.

On average, the fees charged in the academies for the courses in the field of deejaying range from Ksh 15,000 monthly.

Training and Professional Education

DJ training is provided in various areas, and technical knowledge is a major part of this.

Students are provided with knowledge of beatmatching, cueing, scratching, tempo control, and sound balancing.

The most commonly used software in DJ training is Serato, Rekordbox, and VirtualDJ.

The use of professional hardware is also an integral part of a student’s knowledge.

Students are provided with knowledge of professional hardware, such as controllers, mixers, turntables, and sound cards.

Signal flow and technical problems are also an integral part of a student’s knowledge.

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Equipment Requirements

To become a club-ready DJ, one should invest in personal equipment to enable regular practice.

The standard equipment needed as a beginner includes:

• Two DJ turntables or a digital controller
• DJ mixer
• DJ cartridges (needles)
• Professional DJ headphones
• Laptop with licensed DJ software
• DJ interface package

Having the equipment as a DJ means that one can continue practicing their craft outside the classroom to develop a unique mixing style.

Types of DJs in Kenya

There are many career options within this field:

Club DJs play in clubs and must be good readers of crowds.

Clubs have unique crowds and environments; hence, the DJs must be keen when selecting the right kind of music to play.

A club DJ should carry double the amount of music they plan to play to cater to unexpected changes.

Radio DJs are responsible for radio broadcasts and must be good communicators.

This career requires patience and knowledge of the listeners and their demographics.

To stand out as a radio DJ in Kenya, one must be good and specialize in a particular genre of music.

Performer DJs are recognized by their expertise and are known for their tricks and transitions.

This kind of show mainly involves the art of performing on the equipment.

Mobile DJs play at weddings and other corporate events.

This kind of show requires good organizational skills and knowledge of how to coordinate the equipment with the occasion.

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Branding, Networking, and Career Growth

Professional success requires more than just talent.

DJs must build their brand by using social media sites to promote themselves and upload their mixes online.

They must also build their brand by networking with various individuals and DJs.

This will help them grow professionally and open more doors for them.

There are various career prospects for individuals graduating from DJ academies.

The prospects are in club entertainment, event management, media houses, music production, and independent entertainment setups.

Therefore, to be a successful DJ in Kenya, one must be disciplined and creative and have a passion for music.

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A Photo Image of how Inside Kenyan Clubs Look Like. PHOTO/ File