DJ Life In Kenya

Deejaying in Kenya is tough.Pay is low.Work is scarce and there are many fish in a small pond. Just like in any other career out there DJs have their challenges and in this article i'll be trying to mention just a few of the challenges most,if not all, DJs in kenya face.

One of the biggest challenge DJs in Kenya face is HARASSSMENT FROM CMOS eg; MCSK,KAMP and PRISK. This organisations are made up by Kenyan artists to help them in correction and monitoring of their loyalties but according to my research its like this CMOS and the artists sat and agreed DJs are the biggest enemy and they have to be dealt with mercilessly. I am not ignoring the fact that DJs use music made by the artist to make a living but I would wish to remind you that a DJ is an employee of an institution that pay for licences eg: Club and Event Organizing Companies. Just like the waiter, who is serving the guests or the chef, who is hired to cook for the same guests, same case is the DJ he/she is  hired to entertain and in case a Club or an Event has not complied to the EXPLOITATION OF COPYRIGHTED MUSICAL WORKS IN PUBLIC PLACES law , which says one requires a license with MCSK if you are having a public event where music is being played, the person answerable is the event owner or the event organizer and not the DJ. Unfortunately, any time there is an event in Kenya this CMOS Agents storms in accompanied by police officers  straight to the DJ and demand a PUBLIC PERFORMANCE licence.

One Of Kenyas Djs Setup:

 I was once hired to DJ in A weeding where i was supposed to play music during the Weeding reception and the after party which was to happen that evening. I arrived earlier at the weeding reception ground, but even before the bride and the groom showed up, as i was doing my set up, a guy who was well dressed approached me and introduced himself as an agent from MCSK. He demanded  i show him a copy of licence. I explained to him i was just a DJ in the event and that he should talk to the organizers who maybe had the licence. To cut the long story short i was arrested and i had to pay a bribe of 10k. This is an experience many DJs have gone though. 

                                                       https://vimeo.com/428076428

The move to obtain returns from DJ perfomance is obviously well founded. However i am tempted to think this CMOS are going about it wrong in the implementation bit. First,the clubs,Bars inter alia as well as the concerts where DJs 'perform' are paying licences fees for public performance. The often cited house parties,weedings and the likes where it is urgued Djs get to 'perfom' and get paid without the artists who actually won the copyright getting any loyalties or license fee, ought not to blamed on DJs;MCSK,KAMP or even PRISK should ensure that the hosts of such parties obtain licences for their events, as the one's who derive the greatest benefit with the DJs merely 'facilitating'.

Dj Rudeboy And Dj Mr.T In A Recent Event:

Other Challenges DJs in Kenya Face are CONTRACT BREACH & DEEJAYING EQUIPMENT BEING STOLEN. I know of a DEEJAY who lost his equipment to a fake event promoter. He was Told  that there was an event which was to happen outside Nairobi and the pay was good one that you just can't resist but, as the saying goes "when the deal is so good think twice". He was to be paid 70k  just for providing Two mid range speakers,one bass speaker, 2 amplifier,a 12 channel mixer, a close over and a DJ set. In additional transport was to be provided by the company the wannabe promoter works at. When the day arrived,the promoter, showed up with a Hilux  and they loaded the sound. The amount my DJ was about to make had got into his mind in such away that he didn't ask for a down payment nor did even ask for the companies name. The journey began and the next thing happens is My DJ waking up only to find himself sleeping at the road side. It was a very sad experience that took him days to recover. This are just a few of Challenges that djs face in my next article i'll elaborate more challenges DJs face.