Nigerian DJ and researcher James Chike Nwankwo, who also goes by the name DJ Virall, has expressed his desire to set a new Guinness World Record by going for the Longest Marathon Club DJ-ing on the Internet. The activity is meant to bring to limelight the endurance and flexibility of contemporary DJs and emphasize the therapeutic function of music.
DJ Virall, born in Kaduna and bred in Ibadan, earned recognition in Nigeria’s entertainment scene due to his innovative DJing abilities and his involvement as a brand ambassador for Coca-Cola in Coke Studio Africa Season 8 in 2016. His work in the campaign involved traveling to secondary schools across Nigeria, where he used music as a means of inspiring and discovering young talents, such as the rap prodigy Jubez.
Besides his career as a DJ and MC, Nwankwo is also a dedicated PhD student. His official Guinness world record attempt is premised on the published article, Therapeutic potential of twenty-first century music for cancer survivorship: from music and conceptual metaphor perspectives to a synergetic effect approach.
The Guinness World Record attempt intends to stream continuous DJ sessions online through various platforms. He promises to feature music genres such as Afrobeats, Amapiano, Afro house, Hip-Hop, EDM, Reggae, and Dancehall. The central mission of the event is to get people focused on music as a medical treatment, especially those battling critical health diseases. By producing well-constructed sets that are psychologically motivating and emotionally empowering, Nwankwo wants to use this attempt to spread the word of music as medicine.
Throughout his career, DJ Virall has worked with numerous industry professionals, including Sucre and Bouazizi, and coordinated university tours and celebrity dinners. His influence goes beyond the borders of Nigeria, boasting a wide online fan base that has over 17,000 followers on various social media platforms, where he uses his influence to promote empowerment for communities and youth development.
This Guinness World Record attempt will be a turning point in the history of entertainment in Nigeria, underscoring music’s psychological and cultural importance. Nwankwo’s effort also coincides with today’s global conversation regarding mental health and the therapeutic power of art, which firmly establishes himself as both an artist and a social activist.
The event will take place on the 23rd of July, with supporters and organizers hoping that the endeavor not only breaks the record but also leads to increased awareness of music as an essential component of mental health and communal well-being.
