DJ Babus is an incredible DJ with a vast pool of experience in the music industry. He is friendly, humble and creative. In the short and amazing time we had, he shared a lot about himself, his business and working in the wedding industry.
Please tell us about yourself and your business?
I am Babatunde Bashir-Bello, better known as DJ Babus. I have been a Professional DJ since 2007. I started in America when I was in college but have been DJing in an inaugural form since I was a kid. My father was a DJ when he was in university and my uncle ran multiple night clubs growing up. Another uncle ran the biggest children’s party company and I got to hang out with the DJs most times. My first DJ gig was at my school’s Christmas party when I was just in primary 5. Those days, I performed at my school’s boarding house parties but instead of CD players, I would get tape decks. I would have 3 tape decks play in sequence; play one and when right before the song ends, I would play another. It has always been my passion to DJ.
I remember sneaking into clubs and hiding in a corner just to see a Disc Jockey, when I was about 10-12 years old. I was always attracted to the art of DJing.
I continued doing events when I moved to secondary school and really went into it when I moved to America in 2006, I joined my college radio station and started DJing professionally. That’s how I started. Apart from being a DJ, I am a producer, song writer and audio engineer.
What inspired DJ Babus to get into the wedding industry?
I did a bunch of gigs when I was in America; including children’s events, birthday parties and clubs. I didn’t get into weddings until I moved back to Nigeria in 2012. When I moved back I started working at a club called One Eleven. Someone saw me and asked me to DJ at their wedding; that was the first time I performed at a wedding event. Once I did that, lots of people started calling me. I started doing lots of corporate events, DJing in art galleries, DJing for brands like Campari, Ciroc and Puma. Every client referred me to another and that’s how I really got started in Nigeria. My inspiration for DJing was built by my background and childhood. In my house till this day, I have over 300 records, 5 record players, speaker and other things.
Would you start your business, if you were to do it over again? What would you do differently?
I would definitely start, I have no regret whatsoever in doing what I am doing right now. For me, it was a little different but I think I did it in a more intelligent way. I got back to Nigeria from America but instead of just jumping straight into it, I started working for free in different aspects of the industry. I started working for Trybe Records as a sound engineer with Eldee as a mentor. I was able to learn from that aspect. After I left, I joined Knight House as a road manager and producer. I got to travel with their artists and I learned a lot.
I also worked with TV stations as a DJ and Producer and even managed a couple models and video vixens. I did a lot and soaked up a lot of knowledge from these experiences. These experience helped me approach my business from what I believe was a more sensible angle. I learnt what to invest in, how and what to avoid as well as what ought to be done and how. I also learnt the importance of branding. I think if I should do it again, I will do it the exact same way.
What has been your greatest motivation?
Apart from the money (laughs), it is when you can be part of someone’s event that they remember forever; that’s truly something. Being a standout at people’s events is a great motivation. What I mean by this is after an event when people talk or review the event, I want the DJ or music to be a point everyone raves about. I have done weddings where the venue cuts the power to shut down and the guests start clapping for me and screaming my name because they had an epic time. I have had bras, cash, champagne rained on me. Till today, I see some people who I performed at their events still rave about my work. These things, not the money (which is good), are my greatest motivators. Being part of the experience is amazing.
What do you think of the Nigerian/Ghanaian wedding industry? Has it changed over the years and how?
The Nigerian/Ghanaian wedding industry is amazing. It‘s also incredible that the industry has expanded despite the bad economic woos these last two years. I was already preparing to put a pause on weddings and refocus but people are still having weddings every week. Many halls are packed every weekend for weddings like they were before the recession. I am still performing all over the country. The wedding industry is as strong as its ever been in my opinion.
What do you like about your business and working in the wedding industry?
I love controlling the crowd; taking them on a musical journey. When I play a song you like and you react in a certain way, for me that’s priceless. Yes, you can have all the songs in the world but when you can take your listeners back through their life e.g. when they were in JSS1 (Junior Secondary School one) and play a couple of songs in sequence, it’s amazing seeing, hearing and feeling their reactions. I think that’s what makes me stand out in a way.
Is that what differentiates DJ Babus from the rest in the business?
I think that’s it. One thing is this, first of all, I am best known for playing house music. The second thing is the journey I take you on using music. Before I work with a bride & groom, I give them a questionnaire. I want to know everything from their age, where they schooled, what year they graduated, and what kind of guests are coming for the wedding. People think it’s stupid, but when I get all that information I use it to weave the music for the occasion and it is incredible how powerful this kind of preparation is. The peak part of your years like your JSS1 is very important. Sisqo was the reigning musician at one point. I mean, if you came up to the UK in the 2000’s you probably like Grime. Good Music is one thing but the “journey” is also important. I tease the crowd too. I might play a cool song and stop the music. They are like “DJ what’s up?”, “What’s wrong”. People love that, and you can gauge their attention level.
What do you expect from your clients (brides and grooms)? What don’t you expect?
I expect them to respond to the questionnaire. I always give it months in advance. Some people think the questionnaire I give them is stupid but for me it’s an important tool. You don’t have to complete everything but the important parts. I want the couple to work together in figuring out the questionnaire. I want couples to really be honest and be open with me about the whole thing. It is frustrating, when I give the questionnaire months in advance and they don’t answer it and on the day of the event, they request new songs.
I want couples to care about music their guests would like but also stuff that might be niche that they love. It’s my job to take their ideas and incorporate them into my set, this really sets me apart. Many of my clients appreciate my vast knowledge and ability to play House or R&B or maybe even Rock tunes that are hardly played at weddings.
With the questionnaire, you can get the kind of songs they (bride & groom) want?
Exactly, even down to the songs the couple want to dance in with, and the song for their first dance. I list everything out so everybody is in-the-know and to ensure we are all on the same page. Some couples don’t mind me just playing whatever because they know me or they just want me to work off the crowd.
What is (are) the rewarding aspect(s) of providing your service? What are the most frustrating aspect(s)?
Of course, the money is good but it’s not simply about the money or the profit. Like I mentioned earlier, just having the right reaction from the crowd makes me sleep well at night when I know I killed it. When I can text someone and say, “Yo! I just killed this wedding”, that’s the most rewarding.
The most frustrating would be weddings that are not well planned. I prefer working with some wedding planners because everything is organized. Communication with the couple, venue and vendors are crucial. I like working with planners and couples who are conscientious and fulfill all agreement or contract terms. When a wedding is not well planned, I think that’s the thing that frustrates me the most and it can make me look bad as a vendor.
What advice does DJ Babus have for future brides and grooms regarding your line of business?
Main advice is to know your priorities and work that into your budget. Some couples prioritize venue or décor over food for example, in this case spend your money on the venue and décor. If you know you have guests that want to dance, especially a diverse crowd, then spend money on a great DJ.
It’s your own wedding, choose right and choose what best suits you.
What advice does DJ Babus have for up and coming businesses in your line of business?
Professionalism and punctuality go hand-in-hand. Clients definitely appreciate this. If I am given an appointment for 11:00 o’clock, I make it a point to be at the venue at least 30 minutes earlier. By so doing, you are always in the right. Listen to and advice your clients. Some clients might not really know what they want, so you guide them. Ask your clients questions. Some clients might want things that are outrageous. I once had a gig where the couple requested that no Nigerian music be played. I asked if their friends like Nigerian music, and explained to them that on that day they wouldn’t be the only ones dancing. What if their friends have a horrible time, then what happens? This helped them re-assess their decision, they saw my point and agreed with me. Ask the necessary questions; work with the bride and groom.
I never do weddings where the couple and I have first contact on the day of the event. If the bride and groom are unavailable to meet prior to the wedding day, at least the questionnaire should be filled and submitted.
Also know your limitations. If someone tells me all he/she wants is Fuji music, it is not my style. If it is not your style don’t say, “Oh don’t worry” just to get the money. No, pass it on to the next person. I recently had a gig where they got a DJ specifically for house music. He couldn’t do that. He took off with the money and I was called a day before the wedding as a replacement. You have to be professional and not greedy. A reputation takes you further.
Another essential point is “don’t do it for the money”. What I mean is that, when I started as a DJ, I did free jobs. For 3 years, I didn’t make money because I was learning to DJ. However, some DJs just want to make money right away. What happens is that you take the easy route and there are so many things you don’t learn. You may get by for years, cool, but sometimes when you get to an event for instance and the equipment doesn’t work well, what do you do? You don’t know what to do because you are stuck in a particular way. If you really learnt how to DJ, you can overcome many things. DJs really, really need to learn their craft. Don’t just jump in to make money, be patient and you will stand out. In the long run, what happens? The successful DJs who have been in the business for years like DJ Jimmy Jatt, DJ Neptune and co, know their stuff.
What else would DJ Babus like to share with our readers?
Brides, grooms and event planners really need to figure out who they are working with. It is not enough to simply find the cheapest person or hire your brother’s or sister’s friend. Finding a DJ or vendor who really suits you or your client is key. The bride and the groom are the most important people of the day. Not the bride’s parents, not the groom’s parents, it is the bride and the groom. Don’t have weddings that will make only the parents happy. I performed at a wedding some months ago and the bride was crying because the wedding was made around her parents, so her friends were bored. They only allowed me to DJ for about 30 minutes. Understand the bride and groom and make it for the bride and groom. Hire people who are good. There are loads of good DJs out there, so look for a good DJ, talk to the person and understand each other. I am a pretty dope DJ. There are also dope DJs on Iludio.
VISIT DJ Babus on Iludio
