Dj Rachael is a trailblazer in her field, she is the first East African female Dj, who started out at a tender age and grew into one of the best DJs on the African continent; also a Rapper, Producer & business guru, she runs an Audio Production Studio “Scratch Records” and a Mobile Events Company called “Raybon”. Her big heart, charm, dedication has seen her sail through the Dj’ying profession for close to 20 yrs.
Right now she is into music production more than ever because she thinks it’s becoming a basic in the life of a Dj. “It’s what makes superstar DJs. I’m glad I was welcomed into the Santuri family which has taught me a lot more than I knew before,” she says
How did you start?
It was just a fun thing as a kid picking up a Mic and doing some covers as an MC and Rapper in the early days but then I joined Dj-ing out of curiosity because the Djs where I MCed picked interest in me gave me the necessary basics to head start DJing. This profession picked me up and we’ve been cuddling ever since. It is something you just stay in love with. I didn’t go to any school for Djing, I picked up all that I learned from the Djs I started out with at Club Pulsations and then made it an issue to be better than them. I used to tease them about me having a crazier crowd than they did after I became good at it.
Are you genre-sensitive? Which is it and why?
I do not center on a particular genre because my clients are much diversified. In the beginning, I loved hip-hop and gangsta music. Now I love more Dance, EDM, Afro-house, deep house, Alternative, Rock, and Hip hop still. It goes with the territory and to me, these genres move floors, though it helps that it’s my kind of music.
What is the Dj-Ying landscape like for a woman in Uganda?
I softened the landscape and landing for female DJs in Uganda and East Africa. But then again I didn’t have as much a hard time as I expected though they treated me like an amateur rider. It was topsy-turvy at times where some people would cover me with blankets, others with helmets, and yet others with spiky eyes! I guess it still is like that in some parts of the country though it’s no big deal in Kampala.
Any occupational hazards?
DJs especially female ones get short-changed by some employers, others get rough experiences through coarse sexual advances from male employers. It’s rough terrain if you don’t own a car and have to move in the late hours of the night with your equipment; you could get into all sorts of danger like robberies or worse.
Were you supported by family (parents) when you started?
Actually I didn’t tell anybody I was going out to DJ. My mum heard about it, was probably flabbergasted and one time she surprised me with a cameo at the Club. I almost broke the record I was playing. She made a lot of fuss to the owners of the club because I was so young. They later resolved it, she got herself some drinks and later even danced while I played. You should have seen the grin on my face!
Do they support you now?
Now everybody loves Dj Rachael, okay not everybody. Most of my family does. Though my mum didn’t live on to see me become the Dj that I am today because she passed on in 1999 barely a few years after I began. Bless her soul. Then there is an uncle who still insists I should have pursued my pilot project because that’s what I wanted to be as a child! A PILOT! I was actually good at math and sciences.
How long do you plan to Dj?
I told my family I would go on till I’m 75yrs old and they laughed. But it is very possible in this industry. There was an old lady Dj in the USA who was 94 years old and another from Poland who is 77yrs. I’m still a baby!
What are the future prospects for Ugandan women on the world market?
I think the market is very broad-based right now and the future looks pretty good though the competition will get even tighter out there in the world. There’s so much high tech going on and if you don’t follow you can get left behind in a flash, so you need to be very tech-savvy. Old school works pretty fine but if you want to be a household name you got to keep up and get on top, literally. And yes a solo concert has been on my mind like forever now and I know its getting pretty close. Since I’m making 20yrs in the business I think there is my catch. The fans should watch this space and wish me luck on this huge milestone coming up.
Do you think a solo concert would work for you?
I think it would work out very well and people will realize a DJ is a big business these days. The Dj industry has grown in leaps and bounds and DJs can now hold huge concerts all on their own.
Are DJs appreciated in Uganda? Why?
The appreciation is only visible in a few sectors, from a few employers. The fans are really all the way behind Djs because they see what they offer. Some employers or event organizers don’t give the Djs enough appreciation. They see what you do and reap the benefits from your talent but they don’t show it in the way they pay. Some DJs themselves don’t rate themselves highly and thus they create a devaluation of DJs.
What are your thoughts on the realization that Djs can headline at festivals now?
It is way overdue. It makes me feel really proud and ecstatic to see this new development and especially seeing that some international superstar DJs are making more money than musicians. Whoever saw that coming?! I Hope it also starts happening in Africa.
Would you help someone (a girl) start Dj-ing? Word of advice to interested girls.
Yes, of course, I would love to help girls get into Djing. BUT words of caution: It’s not a matter of looking pretty you got to work hard to perfect your art. AND be who you want to be don’t follow what others are doing, identify with your inner self.
How much do you earn?
I can not put a real figure to the earnings though I can say it’s worth it if you are dedicated to what you do and if you get the right gigs. At the same time in Uganda, you need a supplementary salary or business because of some reasons mentioned above.
Where have you played?
Club Silk for 7yrs or more. Club Pulsations, Club Rogue, Club Volts, Steak-Out, Sombreros(part-time), Cayenne, Big Mikes, OS Club, Florida 2000(guest Nairobi), Stone Club (Mwanza), Via Via (Arusha), Happy People (Kigali), Heineken Capital Fm Parties, Bambucha Launch party, Irish Ball, Italian Day, USA Independence Day ball, Mama Akina Wa Africa Festival, Bayimba Festivals, Sondeka Festivals, Club Silk Street Jams, Wayne Wonder & Demarco concert, and so many more corporate and private events and parties.
I was the only Dj chosen by BBC in East Africa to pick the best nightclubs in Africa in 2015. I won the Alliance Francaise World Music Day Dj Battle in 2013. We are going to change the face of East African music with the Santuri Safari programming and remixing. It’s going to be a tsunami. Catch me at the Sondeka Festival on September 10th, 2015 and the Bayimba Festival on September 18th.
You can follow Dj Racheal on Twitter @DjRachael256, Instagram LilSniper04, Facebook Dj Rachael, Soundcloud DJRachael4Raynsom
