DJ Borsh on discovering his craft at Bosso Campus, overcoming early setbacks and finding his place in Abuja’s nightlife.

BOSSO CAMPUS, at the Federal University of Technology, Minna, has been central to my journey as a DJ. It was there, in my second year studying Biochemistry, that I discovered the craft at a birthday party. The music was not particularly impressive, and having attended parties before university, I became curious about how a DJ controlled the music and atmosphere.

For me, DJing started with curiosity. I approached the DJ, who introduced me to Virtual DJ. The following day, I got the software from a friend and began practising on a borrowed laptop. I learnt from other DJs, YouTube and social media, observing their techniques and trying to recreate them. Music had always been part of my life, from attending parties with friends at Apo Boys to enjoying the energy of a good dance floor.

Those early years came with their challenges. I played at almost all my friends’ parties, often renting equipment, and there were moments when generators went off or speakers blew during performances. We were learning as we went, but those experiences taught me to adapt and keep going.

My journey took a new direction when I entered the Cool FM Abuja DJ competition. I finished second and was subsequently employed as a DJ at the station, where I worked for several years. Playing at venues such as Play Hilton, Paper Upstairs, Tokyo Nightlife and 345 further established my presence in Abuja’s entertainment scene.

There were difficult moments, too. I was robbed twice and lost my laptop on both occasions. The first incident happened at City Park, just two days before a Cool FM DJ competition, while the second occurred in Wuse 2. Despite these setbacks, I continued to pursue my passion, taking on opportunities with Red Bull and competing in its Lagos DJ competition alongside Gigi Jasmine against DJ Big N.

Looking back, I have no regrets. I graduated with a second-class upper degree in Biochemistry while building my career as a DJ. Balancing both was demanding, but it taught me discipline and commitment. One thing people may not know about me is that I am an introvert. I enjoy my quiet time, watching movies and staying away from the crowd. DJing has, however, helped me become more comfortable putting myself out there.

If I had to return to where it all began, I would choose Mypa Junction. That was where I got the software that introduced me to DJing. From that simple beginning, everything else followed.