Vanguard Allure

Top Menu

  • Vanguard

Main Menu

  • Home
  • Allure Magazine
    • Features
    • Magazine
    • Profiles
  • Allure TV
  • Celebration
    • Fashion & Style
    • Weddings
    • Lifestyle
    • Events
  • Wellbeing
    • Allure Woman
    • Healthy Living
    • Beauty
  • Happiness
    • Food
    • Shopping
    • Travel
    • Relationships
    • Career
  • News
  • Vanguard

logo

Vanguard Allure

  • Home
  • Allure Magazine
    • Adetola Nola: Up Real Estate Ladder

      January 17, 2021
      0
    • My October 4 Revelation - Chisom Orji

      January 16, 2021
      0
    • Amid Face-Off With Bobrisky James Brown Loses IG Page

      January 16, 2021
      0
    • Toyosi Etim-Effiong: Finding Best Self

      January 11, 2021
      0
    • Allure Cover: Nkem Offonabo - On Starting Afresh

      January 4, 2021
      0
    • Dj Spinall: The Unlimited Creative

      December 28, 2020
      0
    • 2020: Events To Remember Forever

      December 28, 2020
      0
    • Why Pop Central is Supporting Nigerian SMEs with Ad Grants while Building ...

      December 20, 2020
      0
    • Oluwaseun Ayodeji Osowobi: Winner 2020 Nigeria’s Hero Award

      December 20, 2020
      0
    • Features
    • Magazine
    • Profiles
  • Allure TV
  • Celebration
    • Fashion & Style
    • Weddings
    • Lifestyle
    • Events
  • Wellbeing
    • Allure Woman
    • Healthy Living
    • Beauty
  • Happiness
    • Food
    • Shopping
    • Travel
    • Relationships
    • Career
  • News
    • Resumption: My Child Contracted COVID-19 Last Term, Owen Gee Recount

      January 19, 2021
      0
    • Panam Percy, Zeal , Liz Ameye, Eddy Madaki , Others In "Still ...

      January 18, 2021
      0
    • Some Women Are Afraid To Leave Abusive Marriage Due To Laziness - ...

      January 18, 2021
      0
    • 'My All' - Mide Martins gushes over husband, Afeez Abiodun

      January 16, 2021
      0
    • 'Be a prayer Warrior, not a Slayer Warrior, close your legs until ...

      January 14, 2021
      0
    • After 5th Coronation Anniversary, Olu Of Warri, Passes on

      December 22, 2020
      0
    • 'No more sex until God gives me a husband' - Sylvia Ukaatu ...

      December 20, 2020
      0
    • Upgrade Your Belt Game

      December 20, 2020
      0
    • #SGBV: Sanwo-Olu calls for community involvement to curb menace

      December 10, 2020
      0
  • QBF to hold 7th widow empowerment program in Ibadan

  • For Funke Bucknor and husband, it’s 14 years of marital bliss

  • American Rapper, Soulja Boy Sued For ‘Sexual Battery, Assault’

  • Actress, Abiola Williams adds another year today

  • Stella Damasus gushes over daughters

Allure MagazineNews
Home›Allure Magazine›Dj Spinall: The Unlimited Creative

Dj Spinall: The Unlimited Creative

December 28,2020
Share:

Show me a man who excels in his crafts, and I will show you a Sodamola Oluseye Desmond, popularly known as DJ Spinall. A multiple award-winning Disk Jockey, DJ; record producer; song writer and one of Africa’s most celebrated DJs, Spinall is a fountain of talents.

CEO of TheCAP Music, the graduate of Electrical and Electronics Engineering who’s trained in several DJ schools both within and outside the country, is a DJ of many firsts.

He is the first African DJ to be endorsed by any international brand. Currently, he is the official brand ambassador for Smirnoff; a contract that has been renewed four times, and Pepsi. Spinall was also the first African DJ to perform at the SXSW festival in Texas, USA, and also the first Nigerian  DJ to tour six cities in the US. In 2017.  He was named official DJ for BET Awards in Los Angeles, California.

With a number of great singles, albums, awards, and an annual Lagos concert tagged “Party of Your Dreams” in his kitty, Spinall has further pushed the boundary for what an African DJ can achieve.

In this interview, he talks about his soon-to-be-released fifth album dubbed Grace, his love for spreading happiness, the story behind his signature cap, and much more. Enjoy.

When did you start DJ-ing; and what were your early passions and aspirations?

I started DJing in 2008. I just wanted to make people happy and ever since, that hasn’t changed. Personally, I love to fix things; to bring things back to life—like I literally do now. I also love to build stuffs and be generally innovative. 

Who were your earliest influences?

Wande Coal, Jimmyjatt, 2face Idibia, Otega, Funk Master Flex, Calvin Harris, Avicii, just to mention a few. 

At what point did you decide it was DJ-ing and nothing else?

I read engineering in the university and till this day, I’m still surprised this is what I am doing; but I love it. I’ve always known, without any iota of doubt, that I will be great at whatever decision or career path I choose.

I could remember too that while in secondary school, Lagos State Model College Meiran, where I was fortunate to be the Social Prefect for my set, I hired a DJ and was so impressed by his performance. So, I told myself I was going to look into it and that turned out easy because I have genuine love for music.

Did you face the challenge most artists face with parents who didn’t understand creatives?

Oh yes. My parents were worried but they gave me all the support I needed as they continued to see that music is where my heart is. Till date, they are steadily giving advice and business hints alongside overdose of prayers and all kinds of moral support.

What do you personally consider to be the most incisive moment in your artistic career?

Everything and every project I have worked on, from my first gig till date, amounted to who I am today. I can’t point to just  one thing.. I thank God for His grace and gift of hardwork. I am still a work in progress.

What is it about DJ-ing, compared to, say, producing your own music, that makes it interesting for you?

Both are beautiful and different in a unique way, and still intertwined at the same time. Everything I have learnt from DJ-ing, has been useful to me while producing. 

The ability to change the energy of the room and watch people go from being sober to being full of life, is priceless. Making people happy is my all time mission. 

You have released your fifth album, Grace. How personal is this album to you?

This is a very special album for me on so many levels. Looking at the times we are in and how much I have grown as a DJ and a Producer, is beautiful. My growth inspires me to be better. I can’t wait till everyone hears this album. 

In 2015, you became the first African DJ to be endorsed by any international brand when you got signed on as Brand Ambassador for Smirnoff. Does that give you a sense of superiority? 

That’s a beautiful win , not just for me, but for the entire DJ industry. The DJ-ing industry has contributed so much to the growth of our music globally, and deserves so much more.

You’ve done a lot of collaborations with respected artistes like Wizkid, Davido, and others. Which of these collaborations do you cherish the most and why?

You know it’s crazy because I have thought about this several times. But they are all different songs and meant different things to me.  

How would you say technology has affected your style of DJ-ing? 

Technology has transformed DJ-ing a lot over the years. From going to events with a lot of vinyl records to cassette, and CD bags, to now, laptops and Mp3. From Turntables to table top CD players, to midi and DJ controllers. 

They all come with different experiences but in all, have helped simplify the job. Occasionally, they make it complicated too as you would still need a huge amount of talent to be great at your work.

And COVID-19?

Oh COVID! What a year! I’m really just grateful to be alive. COVID is a pandemic we all have to fight and work together against. 

We are in the party season now. Any hope of your annual Party of Your Dream concert?

We are working on something different this year and will be announcing it soon. You will love it. 

You have performed at several festivals around the world. Which of these have been most impactful?

I love getting on the festival stage and representing Nigeria and Africa to the fullest. I would say Glastonbury Festival; that performance was iconic and I am grateful to have been able to achieve that. The last Nigerian to perform there before me was Fela Kuti in 1984. That’s legendary. I’m grateful.

Do you write your songs yourself? How long does compiling tracks for an album ordinarily take you?

It’s collaboration; I co-wrote a lot of my songs, especially the new ones. Some were totally inspired by the artistes; but you can hear my distinctive adlibs or intros on them as well. An example is my song Nowo ft Wizkid. At the beginning, you can hear me saying “Everytime we dance, dem go dance, Everytime we move, dem go move, Everytime we shake, dem go shake, Baby girl whine your waist.”

Also, in GbaGbe ft Burna Boy, Ohema ft Mr. Eazi, Money ft 2Baba and Wande Coal, Everytime ft. Kranium, and On a Low ft Ycee, amongst several others.

What was your first experience like as a producer?

Very inspiring and funny story; I made a few sounds that I wasn’t proud of and the artistes heard it and were excited. That was how I made songs like “Hundred” ft Sarkodie and Yung L, “Lifetime” ft Wurld, “Serious” ft Burna Boy, “Everytime” ft Kranium, “Love you” ft Patoranking and so on.

What aspects of your earliest days as a radio DJ do you cherish the most?

Working on the radio is very different and very special to me. I learnt so much. There is so much to learn on the radio; I’m going to open one in the nearest future. One thing I cherish most is being able to be the first to hear the music and predict its success, and then, watch that happen. That’s special, isn’t it?

If you were to start afresh, what will you do differently? 

If I could start afresh, I’ll learn to always share the little that I know with as many people willing to learn. To be honest without sounding cocky, I’m the most accomplished in the business as of today and I’m grateful for all those who came before me because their journey is a lot clearer. I have proudly trained 15 DJs and they are all doing good for themselves and providing for their families. My last protégée sent me a picture of his first car recently. That’s the best feeling ever.

Let’s talk about your signature cap; any story behind it?

It’s beautiful, right? (Laughs). It was inspired by my dad. Growing up, I used to watch him dress up in front of the mirror most weekends, when going for Owambes. He never went out without a cap on his traditional outfits. He says it’s an abomination (Laughs). So, as you know today, I’m the life of the party; so, I can’t step out without my cap too, as a mark of honour for my African root. I have modified the style in a way that I can rock it with whatever outfit. It’s trendy now! 

What are the three values you uphold the most?

It’s important to respect oneself and every single person alive, regardless of class. Be there for as many people as you can, without expecting anything in return. Stay positive and love yourself!

What won’t DJ Spinall ever be caught wearing in the name of fashion?Skinny leather pants! (Laughs). 

Previous Article

2020: Events To Remember Forever

Next Article

‘His body odour gives me headache’ – ...

0
Shares
  • 0
  • +
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

Related articles More from author

  • Allure MagazineEntertainmentNews

    Hollywood Reporter names Mo Abudu as one of the 25 most powerful women in Global TV

    October 12, 2017
    By allure1
  • Allure MagazineEntertainmentEventStyle

    Singer, Beyonce’s amazing 2-hour performance at Coachella (photos)

    April 16, 2018
    By RITA
  • Allure MagazineNews

    Comedian, Basket mouth gets interviewed by the BBC in London

    January 6, 2017
    By allure1
  • Allure MagazineEntertainmentNews

    Nigerian rapper, M. I sues American rapper, Nas for breach of contract

    October 20, 2017
    By allure1
  • Allure MagazineNews

    Caleb University positions barbers at the school gate to cut bushy hair of erring students

    January 11, 2017
    By allure1
  • Allure MagazineNews

    Actress and New Mom, Blake Lively attends bestfriend’s wedding, TWO days after giving birth

    October 5, 2016
    By allure1
0

  • EntertainmentNews

    Billionaire businessman, Femi Otedola celebrates his kids in a special way

  • Allure MagazineEntertainmentNews

    Actress, Lizzy Anjorin defends colleague, Toyin Abraham from online trolls

  • EntertainmentNews

    Panam Percy, Zeal , Liz Ameye, Eddy Madaki , Others In “Still Falling”


  • 5313
    Followers
  • 12744
    Likes

Timeline

  • January 22, 2021

    QBF to hold 7th widow empowerment program in Ibadan

  • January 22, 2021

    For Funke Bucknor and husband, it’s 14 years of marital bliss

  • January 22, 2021

    American Rapper, Soulja Boy Sued For ‘Sexual Battery, Assault’

  • January 22, 2021

    Actress, Abiola Williams adds another year today

  • January 22, 2021

    Stella Damasus gushes over daughters

Categories

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Sign up to receive email updates and to hear what's going on with our magazine!

  • Recent

  • Popular

  • Comments

  • QBF to hold 7th widow empowerment program in Ibadan

    By RITA
    January 22, 2021
  • For Funke Bucknor and husband, it’s 14 years of marital bliss

    By Temitope
    January 22, 2021
  • American Rapper, Soulja Boy Sued For ‘Sexual Battery, Assault’

    By Oluwamuyiwa Oyedele
    January 22, 2021
  • Actress, Abiola Williams adds another year today

    By Temitope
    January 22, 2021
  • Chioma Jesus, Sammie Okposo, Midnight Crew set for #THUGGLA2018

    By RITA
    April 24, 2018
  • American rapper, Kendrick Lamar wins Pulitzer prize for 2017 ‘Damn’ album

    By RITA
    April 17, 2018
  • Afrobeat singer, Seun Kuti drops new album titled ‘Black Times’ 

    By RITA
    April 23, 2018
  • Actor, Yul Edochie declares intention to run for presidency

    By RITA
    April 23, 2018

Entertainment

  • January 22, 2021

    American Rapper, Soulja Boy Sued For ‘Sexual Battery, Assault’

  • January 22, 2021

    ‘Web’: Regina Askia Makes Nollywood Return

  • January 21, 2021

    ‘The Satchel’, Animated Film On Yoruba Mythology, Debuts

  • January 20, 2021

    Celebration: Timi Dakolo Celebrates 40th Birthday

  • January 20, 2021

    Finally, Trump Pardons American Rappers Lil Wayne, Kodak Black

Follow us