DJ Silver on discovering his craft in Tunga, Minna, and building his entertainment brand in Abuja

TUNGA, in Minna, Niger State, was where I found my rhythm as a DJ. I discovered the craft around 2011–2012 while studying Mathematics and Statistics at the Federal University of Technology, Minna. One night, I visited a club with friends and became fascinated by the way the DJ controlled the atmosphere through music. I wanted to learn how to create that same happiness for people.

I began practising with Virtual DJ on my laptop after an early attempt to learn from a club DJ did not go as planned. I later acquired two handmade speakers, rented them out for as little as ₦2,000 and offered to DJ for free whenever someone hired them. Those humble beginnings became my first step towards building an entertainment business. They also taught me that sometimes, starting small is necessary to discover what is possible.

Abuja later helped me develop professionally. After meeting DJ Eyebee at my sister’s wedding, I began following him to gigs and learning about professionalism, presentation and customer experience. I gradually expanded from DJing into sound reinforcement, lighting, LED screens and other event-production services. I have performed at clubs and events across Abuja, Lagos, Lokoja, Kaduna and Cotonou, while also building a residency at The Wine Shop in Gwarinpa.

For me, DJing goes beyond playing music. It requires confidence, preparation, technical knowledge and the ability to understand different audiences. One of my most important lessons came after I once fled my own show because of stage fright and technical problems. Returning to complete the event taught me that a DJ must learn to manage pressure as well as music. It also reminded me that mistakes and difficult experiences can become valuable lessons in a creative career.

My journey eventually led me to create The Sabbath, a branded Sunday party launched in Abuja in 2024. Inspired by God, I wanted to build more than an event. I wanted to create a space where people could enjoy good music, network, build relationships and become part of a community. For me, the idea was to make entertainment an experience that extended beyond the dance floor, much like other Nigerian nightlife experiences.

Tunga gave me the foundation, while Abuja helped me grow into a professional and entrepreneur. Through DJing, event production and The Sabbath, I am building a brand that goes beyond individual performances and contributes to Abuja’s entertainment scene.