In the ever-evolving landscape of creative arts, few individuals manage to successfully navigate multiple disciplines with both authenticity and vision. Crayvelli, born Giwa Babatunde David, stands as a testament to the power of cross-disciplinary artistry, seamlessly blending his talents as a DJ, design, and fashion enthusiast to create a unique artistic identity. Growing up in Anifowoshe, Ikeja, Crayvelli was exposed to artistic environments, including an art and signs shop and a barbershop, which are often hubs for diverse music selections. He began honing his DJing skills around the ages of 15 or 16
“Everything that I do influences the other either directly or indirectly,” Crayvelli explains, highlighting the interconnected nature of his creative pursuits.
“In retrospect, every music genre has a fashion and visual aesthetic. For me, fashion, music, and DJing are all interconnected—they feed into each other and shape my identity.”
This holistic approach to creativity has positioned Crayvelli as an emerging force in Nigeria’s vibrant entertainment scene, where the boundaries between different art forms continue to blur.
From Bedroom Mixes to Breakthrough Moments
Like many successful DJs, Crayvelli’s journey began in his formative years. “I’ve had my DJing skills since I was a teenager,” he recounts. “I just made mixes and posted them online whenever I could, and my friends would download them.”
What started as a personal passion transformed into a professional pursuit following a pivotal moment at Mainland Block Party in 2019. After encountering resistance when trying to secure performance opportunities, Crayvelli demonstrated the perseverance that would become characteristic of his career.
“After months of shooting my shot, I decided to take a different approach by tweeting at Alhaji Popping, letting him know I had been trying to get a set,” he shares. That strategic pivot led to a public poll where Crayvelli emerged victorious, marking his official entrance into Nigeria’s competitive music scene.
The Digital Evolution of DJing
As technology continues to transform the music industry, DJs like Crayvelli have witnessed significant changes in how they discover, share, and perform music. Reflecting on his early experiences, Crayvelli notes the contrast between past and present methodologies.
“When I started learning to DJ, laptops weren’t popular. I was mixing on USB Scratch CD Players, which means music had to be burned into CDs or downloaded onto flash drives, which can be really tedious,” he recalls. Today’s digital platforms and software solutions have streamlined these processes, though Crayvelli emphasizes that the foundational elements remain unchanged.
“My approach didn’t really change; rather, it evolved as I learned to use these new tools. However, reading the crowd, selecting and mixing the right tracks, and curating the vibe will always be at the core.”
Navigating Creative Industries While Maintaining Authenticity
For artists working across multiple disciplines, maintaining authenticity while responding to rapidly changing trends presents a significant challenge. Crayvelli addresses this balancing act by focusing on genuine self-expression.
“Music and fashion feed off each other, and I focus on creating what feels true to me because that’s what keeps people connected to my work at the end of the day,” he explains. “My biggest challenge so far is the pressure to follow what is trendy because both industries move fast.”
This commitment to authenticity extends to Crayvelli’s approach to performance preparation. Rather than rigidly planning setlists, he immerses himself in music consumption and creation, preparing for the spontaneity that live performances demand.
“I don’t necessarily curate a setlist. I just listen to a lot of music, make remixes and playlists for different vibes and genres while also paying attention to music people are enjoying in general. That way, I show up at gigs and we all have fun together because it’s all about having fun for me. I don’t like to overthink it.”
The Emotional Intelligence Behind the Decks
Beyond technical proficiency, Crayvelli identifies emotional intelligence as crucial to DJing success. “Reading the energy of the room helps you connect to the crowd, and you get to give people what they need without them realizing it,” he observes.
This intuitive understanding of audience dynamics has helped Crayvelli navigate unexpected challenges during performances, from technical malfunctions to challenging song requests. “DJing has helped improve my problem-solving skills because you learn to troubleshoot and make things work on the spot,” he notes.
Future Horizons: Blurring Creative Boundaries
Looking toward the future, Crayvelli envisions expanding his creative footprint globally while continuing to blur the lines between artistic disciplines.
“I’d really like to travel the world while DJing and also curate experiences that blur the lines between these art forms. I would like to merge the experience into something immersive,” he shares, expressing interest in potential collaborations with global brands and artists like Nike, Rema, Skepta, and ASAP Rocky.
For aspiring DJs seeking to carve their own path in the industry, Crayvelli offers straightforward advice grounded in authenticity: “Stay true to yourselves, believe in your own sauce, and listen to a lot of music.”
As Crayvelli continues to push creative boundaries and challenge conventional artistic categorizations, his journey represents the exciting possibilities that emerge when different forms of expression converge under a unified creative vision—proving that in the contemporary creative landscape, limitations exist only in the mind.
