Thursday 20, 2014

INTERVIEW WITH DJ PSCRATCH ABOUT HIS JOURNEY SO FAR AND HIS HOPES FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY IN KISUMU.

One Saturday night during a campus gig while he was still there, the young campus revelers at Maseno University’s Graduation Square grounds were facing the music literally instead of dancing to it because the DJ wasn’t reading their mood right. There wasn’t a synergy between the crowd and the DJ to complete the vibe around. One young man stepped up and pleaded with the organizing Director of  Entertainment to give him just five minutes at the deejay booth and to point him the way down the stage if he could not manage to deliver the crowd’s demands. That brave young man who ended up holding down the deejay booth for far more than five minutes is this guy. And the rest as he says is still history in the making. He is ambitious, hardworking, disciplined and aims at being one of the most learned DJs in Africa. His name is Pscratch. His message is simple - compete with yourself, not anyone else. Be the best you can be.

His stage name was first just simply DJ P. But after he enrolled in the 2008 Pilsner Mfalme DJ national competition and the judges loved the scratches in his sets and suggested he adds the word scratch to his name, he decided to add scratch to the P. He is the resident DJ at Club Whistles Kisumu, one of the best joints in the lake side city.

P scratch showing his skills at the East Africa Pioneer deejays Convention held in Nairobi last year 

TG: When did you cultivate an interest in music beyond appreciating it as a listener?

DJ Pscratch: I have always loved music. Late 2008, I went to Nairobi and met Babz of Underdawg Records. Knowing what he did as a records producer, I approached him and pleaded with him to teach me how to deejay. I remember I was penniless at the moment but he still offered to guide me. Babz introduced me to DJ C’mon who currently does his thing in Dubai and DJ Joe Mfalme who has since grown to be one of  the biggest deejays in Africa and soon globally. I had made it very clear to Babz that I wasn’t going to go back to Kisumu without their teachings on deejaying. Fortunately, they noted the passion and the drive that I had and they decided to help me out. They made it possible for me to go to Groove Ryders Deejaying Academy at Village Market. It was at this time that I registered for the Pilsner Mfalme competition straight from the academy though I was eliminated at the semis. That was the official beginning of the brand that is DJ Pscratch today.

TG: Those who know you understand how you are attached to Maseno University. Tell us about this.

DJ Pscratch: First of, I am an alumni of Maseno University. I graduated on December 6^th last year after studying Education Science. I was also an active basketball player while I was there. After I showed guys how good I could deejay after the incident I told you about earlier on, almost everyone in campus knew me after that. What is most important is how students at Maseno University have always been supportive even after I graduated from there. I have become sort of  like their resident DJ. And I have always delivered my services hot and sweet to those guys. I will always have a special place for Maseno University in my heart.

TG: You just graduated last year. And here you are one of the most sought after DJs in Kisumu. Have you set your eyes only on deejaying or do you consider taking up a formal job at some point?

DJ Pscratch: I have plans to go back to Uni to pursue a master’s degree. My ultimate goal is to be the most learned DJ in Africa. Of course deejaying is a huge part of me now. I am also a part of it.

TG: There are not as many serious professional DJs in Kisumu as there are in Nairobi and many other cities across Africa. Do you see this as a problem or as an opportunity?

DJ Pscratch: The inadequacy in the number of serious professional deejays in Kisumu can partly be attributed to the fact that there isn't a solid club culture here as is in other cities. Apart from a few, most of the deejays here are just starting out and they don’t have good deejaying hardware and software as those in Nairobi for example. However, it is our own problem and therefore it is us to create solutions to these problems. This void of sorts in the deejaying industry in Kisumu is an opportunity for the sharp, creative business driven people who want to make money and make a positive impact at the same time. Business itself and the clients of the business in this sense deejaying and club culture recognizes real people who are passionate about their goals. So generally it’s an opportunity.

TG: The club culture in Kisumu is condensed and mainstream. There are no diversions from the normal kind of partying and hanging out. What would you as a DJ suggest be done. Is there a need for that kind of diversity or Kisumu is not yet ready for that kind of thing?

DJ Pscratch: As a DJ, I have noted that a lot of times. Not to complain but for the deejaying industry in Kisumu to grow, diversity has to be embraced. A culture is only a culture if there’s quite a lot to say when you are talking about it. The club culture in Kisumu has to diversity. People have to be open to new ideas and music. The clients are the determinants of the kind of music I play most of the time for example. Kisumu clients are tricky. You have to be very careful with them to sync and maintain them. But I do appreciate how nowadays they are gradually getting receptive to things a bit different from the normal.

P Scratch in the DJs booth  at Club Whistles where he is the resident DJ

TG: Which other DJs in Kisumu do you think are doing a good job?

DJ Pscratch: Kisumu has quite a number of deejays but I have to say that not many of them are focused. Many have not decided what they really want out of their deejaying. Quick cash seems to be the drive of many. To be paid well as a DJ your clients-the club and the revelers have to see the persistence and passion in your work. Good DJs are many but I recognize Ed OG and Taryll Slim aka DJ Slim.

TG: As a DJ, you are obviously involved in the planning of major gigs within Kisumu either as an organizer or as the main DJ act. What do you think should be done to develop a better club culture in Kisumu?

DJ Pscratch: Clubs can’t do without deejays. Club owners should start appreciating deejays by offering them payments proportionate to the services they deliver and the skills that they bring along. A DJ is a brand out there of his skills, his achievements and also an ambassador of the joint he or she mixes at. Club Culture is a serious business. The image of the club goes along with the image of the DJ. No matter how big or cool a joint is and they have a DJ who does not deliver, that joint will just be a secondary joint compared to relatively trying clubs that have very good DJs. It’s a high time the party people also started appreciating all types of music and respect the codes of music played during theme nights. When its dancehall night stick to that, don’t request Mbagala.

TG: You obviously get a lot of attention from the ladies as a DJ. How do you handle this?

DJ Pscratch: I take very good care of my image. I have learnt how to discipline myself when it comes to that kind of attention. I treat all my fans respectfully. Its always important to look good and smell fresh.

TG: There is currently an awakening of sorts in the sense that artists and creatives in Kisumu have realized that the world is moving fast towards embracing art and creativity as the next job creation avenue. Do you think artists in Kisumu are doing enough? Rappers especially.

DJ Pscratch: Lately there has been a lot of effort from artists to do something different and to earn from it. Rap has always been a part of the urban culture in Kisumu. Though honestly the quality coming out of Kisumu hasn't been up to par as those from Nairobi and Mombasa for example. And with globalization now really you shouldn't limit yourself as an artist to your national borders. There’s quite a huge influx of music from Tanzania and Uganda here in Kisumu. And like I said before, in this kind of void lies an opportunity for the business savvy people. Come make change and money! There’s a need for better audio and video production around. The rappers are putting in a good effort though they have to think more commercially content wise.

TG: Kisumu's first urban, hip radio station, Urban Radio was opened in Kisumu late last year. Do you think this will have a positive impact on the urban culture in Kisumu? Compared to before when every young person would tune in to capital FM and Kiss 100? 

DJ Pscratch: First I salute the people that made the idea of Urban radio a real thing. The urban culture around here before that lacked a radio station to sort of like fill in the last letters in the cross word puzzle. Now we have a radio station that plays urban hits right from this city. Urban radio has landed in Kisumu at a very opportune time if you ask me. There’s a lot of music made from here that has been bubbling under that could be played there finally. They also have no competition so far though they could very soon. The team there shouldn't waste any time but should make the most out of this city.

TG: There is a huge number of young people leaving Kisumu to go stay in other major cities like Mombasa and Nairobi after high school. Their explanation to this would be that there are not enough opportunities for young people in Kisumu. You made it as a DJ in Kisumu. You went from being a DJ to being the DJ. What would you tell these "migrators"?

DJ Pscratch: I can’t say I have already made it as a DJ. I still have a long way to go. But I’ll urge all these young people who are leaving Kisumu to go settle elsewhere that charity begins at home. Your dreams are valid no matter where you start from. I don’t see why people should go to a new city to become big.If you can’t make it in your own city what makes you think you are going to make it out there where there is even more stiff competition? Young people need to be smart to see the many opportunities that the infant entertainment industry in Kisumu offers. It’s all about focus, discipline and hard work. There’s a huge number of young people in Nairobi for example who are already trying to make it big in the already saturated entertainment industry there. Kisumu is a toddler still. Why not opt to be smart and learn in Nairobi then come establish a career here in Kisumu. After that, teach other people from here in Kisumu. That’s how it should be. These exoduses of young people from Kisumu to other places every January and December won’t change the situation around.

TG: Tell us about your experience during the Pilsner Mfalme DJ competition. How was it competing with other DJs from across the country and being the only DJ representing Kisumu?

DJ Pscratch: Participating in the Pilsner Mfalme competition has been a huge plus for me. The experience was very informative in that I learnt a lot and interacted with other like-minded people both established and upcoming. Only the good DJs survived the competition I survived.

DJ Pscratch posing with his mentor and now colleague DJ Joe Mfalme of Channel O and Box TV

TG: I have an idea. How about starting a DJ academy in Kisumu?  Link up with the ever resourceful Mista Ade. Do you think that would improve the DJ standards and the club culture in Kisumu?

DJ Pscratch: That could be a very brilliant thing to do. I get so many messages on Facebook about how some people want me to help and guide them get a footing in the deejaying industry. Soon I might be able to have enough capital of course in collaboration with other entertainment industry players to start a deejaying academy in Kisumu. That would be a plus to the deejaying culture in Kisumu.

TG: What kind of support have you got from the people around you for example? Who (/what) inspires you?  Who do you look up to in the local deejaying industry? Globally?

DJ Pscratch: My fans are my main source of support. I am what I am because they chose to listen to me play when I was starting. Had they been prejudiced against me in any way I wouldn't be the DJ that I am. I wouldn't have given up. I would still be bubbling under. People like Mista Ade who is the CEO at House of FUNK, DJ Slim of Urban Radio and Ahmed Zack of Brand Models have also supported me a lot. God, new music, my background, my journey and my destination inspire me. Locally DJs Joe Mfalme, Crème de la Crème and Kaytrixx stand out for me. Also DJs Gordo, Pinye, Kym of Nikdee entertainment and VJ Vik of EWD DJ Academy. Globally, I admire the late Roc Rida, DJ Angelo, DJ Total Eclipse and DJ Jazzy Jeff. My dream at the moment is to play alongside DJ Joe Mfalme in one gig.

TG: Where do you hope to have taken your deejaying career as in the next five years?

DJ Pscratch: I hope to be recognized and respected globally as a DJ by that time.

TG: Any plans to leave Kisumu for "greener pastures”?

DJ Pscratch: I will only shift base from Kisumu when that time comes. At the moment I am happy with what I am doing here. If I will enjoy my work and be happy in that other place as I do here in Kisumu I will definitely go.

TG: Anything else you would like to tell us?

DJ Pscratch: Last year I was the only deejay representing Kisumu in the East Africa Deejays Pioneer Convention. I was the only one from here among the 50 DJs who registered for the same from all over East Africa. I made it to the finals. It was an emotional moment for me. You can watch my videos on YouTube through my official channel DEEJAY P SCRATCH.

He recently played alongside DJ HASSAN of Homeboyz Radio in the just concluded Mr n Miss Maseno 2014.

To reach DJ Pscratch, contact him through any of these two channels.  DJ P scratch on Facebook or DJ P scratch on Twitter