GI Selects, “the heart of the culture” was the winner of the 2019 Cafe Ngomma Award for Best Alternative DJ and has headlined some of Kenya’s major events and festivals like For the Culture (2019), Kilifi New Year’s Eve (2020) and the Unkut Hiphop Awards (2021). He recently dropped his EP, “Doba za Wagenge” and Djembe had a conversation with him to know more about his music and the Kenyan industry.
To kickstart,DJ GI Selects, kindly Introduce yourself to Djembe readers and to your fans.
I am a multi-disciplinary, multi-genre DJ and record producer, who blends urban Kenyan sounds with African and global genres spanning decades. I am well known in Kenyan entertainment circles as one of the DJs at the fore of pushing the new wave of Kenyan and African music. I’ve been Barak Jacuzzi’s official DJ since 2017 and the DJ on call for many performing artists from Nairobi, Kenya.
How long have you been in the industry? What are those important things you have learnt along the way?
I’ve been in the music industry as a DJ for 7 years now. Some of the most important things I’ve learnt along the way is that this is a profession like any other and should be taken as such. You have to be open-minded and willing to learn in order to grow, while constantly adapting to the world around you if you want enjoy this journey and attain success and longevity.
How did you start your music career? Who were the people that made so much impact in your life.
I got interested in DJing when I was in high school at a rave I had snuck into. One of the best nights of my life… From there I started following global DJ’s and the top DJs in Kenya to as a fan of their work. I got into a DJ academy immediately after high school and began practicing seriously when I realized music was with me for life.
Among DJ’s I’d say following Fully Focus & DJ Joe Mfalme from Kenya has helped instill a certain work ethic in me. However, I’d say the person who has had the biggest impact on my career to date is Barak Jacuzzi who I have worked closely with since 2017 (he was the first artist I saw with a website in Kenya lol) he has shown me that there are limitless possibilities for me in this career if I apply myself and my gifts and follow my heart. The lessons on music, the music/entertainment business and life I’ve gotten from him can fill a book.
Your recent collaboration with Lastii happened in an unexpected way so how did it feel working with him?
It’s been a crazy ride. I took a chance working with someone I barely knew in a role I wasn’t even familiar with… I questioned myself a lot and had to get reminded so many times that I was actually doing this and why I was doing it. Though it did help that the music we made was dope. Lastii is pure talent so it was always exciting being in studio with him, I think he gets music like I do and is just as dedicated to his craft. This has been one of my biggest growth experiences as a human being and a musician.
Talk to Djembe about your new EP? Walk us through the process of it all.
It’s called Doba za Wagenge which roughly translates to music for the people. When Lastii and I linked up we didn’t have plans of working on an EP, we were just recording music and practicing during our free time. One Saturday morning while listening to our tracks, it hit me that we could actually work on a solid project with Lastii and call it Doba za Wagenge after the title track.
We recorded some tracks a bunch of times and worked with many producers from our neighborhood and other parts of Nairobi. Some beats we leased online… The features were mostly Lastii’s friends and for Naipenda we agreed that it needed a feminine touch from a better known female artist and we found ourselves working with Dyana Cods.
While making the EP we literally had no budget. I’d just pull cash from my gigs and do what could be done at the moment or what was needed and somehow, we just kept going. While working on it, Lastii was in his final year of high school and we got into a lot of trouble with his parents and had a few fights as well because of this. But he knew it was his time and it was what he was supposed to do so there was no stopping him – even I couldn’t stop him.
We gotta give credit to all the producers who helped work on this as well as our mixing and mastering engineers at Mad Records Kenya who delivered the sound we wanted.
Do you have any favorite track? If yes, why is it your favorite?
It’s so hard to pick a favorite track because they’re all so good but I’d have to say my favorite track right now is “Sina” by Lastii ft. Malika I feel and sing it the most. The first time I heard the hook I knew it was going to be a big tune! Nagi killed it on the beat as well!! Then I heard Malika’s verse and was mind-blown. They killed it. Funny thing, this track wasn’t supposed to be on the EP, it’s actually the one we finished last but it’s now my favorite track.
Many won’t take the time to listen to our music unless you really push them to because they already have a bias towards it (Genge Music) – DJ GI Selects
It’s important for other countries to get a spot in the music industry as well, so far what has been your major challenge trying to push your music forward?
Our biggest challenge so far in pushing our music forward is acceptance from our peers and some local audiences. Many won’t take the time to listen to our music unless you really push them to because they already have a bias towards it (Genge Music) … Others are waiting to see us on TV and radio for them to take our music seriously, yet that is only part of promotion and the actual achievement is getting them to listen and vibe with it. But hey, it’s only been 3 weeks since we dropped and with the speed of life these days, I don’t fault anyone. The music we put out is really good and we are sure is here to last so all that’s left is to keep pushing despite the challenges and enjoy the growth in the process.
If you could speak for the Kenyan music industry, how would you describe it?
I would describe it as GANGLAND!!! There’s still so much chaos and unpredictability. So many gaps as far as structures, policies and professionals to play certain key industry roles which forces many of us to take on multiple roles. Many stakeholders are only still out for themselves and this compromises how they play their role… It’s like a man eat man society for those of us coming up. I believe things get better as you go higher but for most of the industry there’s no rules, people do whatever they want. But the game is the game and I chose to play it. In all the chaos there is a lot of opportunity and that’s how I choose to see it.
Asides music, are there other personal projects?
Outside of music I’m keen on developing as a professional Psychologist. I already have a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and am receiving mentorship from a counsellor I work directly under and is showing me the ropes. I hope to be enrolled in an international Master’s program in this field within the next 3 years as part of my professional development.
“I also read a lot for personal development and frequently review my life goals/do personal evaluations to know where I am in life and if I am still in alignment and living as my true self”
For your free time, what are those things you do to fully recharge?
Unfortunately besides sleeping, I’m almost always working… I enjoy working out (something I’ve also slacked on since I got an injury 2 months ago) and spending time with people I love – myself, my family and close friends. I also read a lot for personal development and frequently review my life goals/do personal evaluations to know where I am in life and if I am still in alignment and living as my true self.
What’s next for DJ GI Selects
You’re looking at it… GI Selects the multi-platinum record producer. Though I would say that right now my focus is our EP “Doba za Wagenge” which we look to take global. I prefer to exist in the here and now because that’s all there is, as far as what’s next… You’ll just have to watch this space.
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