There has not been a better time to be a musician in Nigeria’s entertainment space. Eyes from all over the world are on us, and what was once looked down on as an inferior profession has turned into a viable source of livelihood for many. Other than artists, producers and DJs are receiving more recognition for their efforts, and they are bravely embracing the limelight that has recently found favour with them. DJs have become more sought after within the entertainment space due to their ability to reimagine popular records, feeding off the euphoria of packed crowds that dance to their tune. Some of them, like DufflebagtheDJ, are capable of leaning on their attentive ear for good sounds to create their own music and contribute to the growth of the Afrobeats space.
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DufflebagtheDJ has built up experience within the Afrobeats space and is well-versed in the genre’s inner workings. She has spent time honing her skills, not just as a DJ but a rounded musician who can navigate different sounds. For her latest single, she links up with singer Paul Wae and the pair exhibit synergy that gives a good account of their talent. “Live It Up” is an upbeat, feel-good record that spreads positivity and encourages us to look on the bright side of life. The song’s replay value is evident upon first listen, making it a worthy fixture on any playlist.

Producer Mannn handles the production on “Live It Up’, with DufflebagtheDJ also maintaining production credits. The record is drum-heavy, although with lesser intensity than a typical Afrobeats record. Mannn lays a consistent drum pattern which gives “Live It Up” the potential to be a party-starter. At 111 BPM, the song’s uptempo vibe creates a good backdrop for Paul Wae to create catchy melodies that carry positive messages. Mannn uses log drums to create intensity within the song, and the result of these combined elements is an instrumental that envelopes a room and evokes euphoric feelings.
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Paul Wae plays an important role in making “Live It Up” a great record with the dexterity of his writing. He steers the direction of the listener to a positive mindset with his choice of words. He sings “the hustle go pay/I just want to sip Henny with my guys/and hip-hop hurray”. The lyrics encourage the listener with a promise of a better life beyond the cares of the world. Paul Wae weaves his way through Mannn’s production, matching the uptempo production with great intensity and giving more colour to the song.

DufflebagtheDJ’s experience in music gives her the ability to create great records like “Live It Up”. In addition to her work as a producer on this song, her ear for good sounds places her in a position to guide the creation process of her guest artists and bring the overarching vision of any song to life.This highlights the depth of her expertise as a musician and proves she is more than just a DJ. Her skillset is bound to place her in the upper echelon of Nigeria’s music industry in years to come.
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