Adams Ibrahim Adebola, popularly often known as VJ Adams, is a Nigerian video jockey, tv presenter, entrepreneur, musician cum government producer. On this interview, he speaks with TOMI FALADE on his future plans.
In 2024 we noticed your ‘Know Your Music’ present on MTV base and ‘Off The Prime on BET. Are you able to elaborate on these reveals and the concepts?
I used to be blessed to safe a partnership take care of Paramount the place I can executive produce the reveals I create they usually give me distribution. It’s a nice feeling to personal my mental properties on TV lastly.
What was an important lesson you have been in a position to be taught in 2024?
What 2024 taught me is that one’s desires are legitimate. Be sure you place worth in your time.
Bimbo Ademoye gave you credit score and a shout-out on her social media pages for designing the roll-out marketing campaign for all six of her motion pictures launched in 2024. How was it engaged on all these tasks?
I can’t take all of the credit score. I’ve to make use of this chance to thank the actors as nicely for agreeing to my loopy concepts to advertise the films. I begin considering of the roll-out plans earlier than we begin movieing. I am going on set on some days simply to really feel the vitality and typically flesh out the promotional concepts even additional and I’m grateful to God the individuals love the PR campaigns. When it interprets to over 40 million views and relying on the films, I’m overjoyed.
Nonetheless in your artistic aspect, we recall your first transfer into style was in 2015 with Embruto by VJ Adams however in 2024, we noticed one thing greater with VIF by VJ Adams. How far are you keen to take this style journey?
You see, style is among the issues I’ve created that can outlive me. Even after I’m gone, I can will all of the fairness to my household, so it’s no doubt one of the vital vital issues I’ve created to date.
February 8, 2025 marks 10 years for the reason that launch of your smash Fuji hit ‘Gbemisoke’ that includes Pasuma and Reminisce however you appear to have put music on the again burner since your album in 2018. Any plans for music in 2025?
To be trustworthy, I’ve gotten a number of messages asking why I ended making music. I ended having fun with creating music when it solely turned a numbers recreation. Don’t get me mistaken numbers are essential in knowledge. Unfold and numbers assist analyse the market. Nevertheless, when it turns into the one think about deciding what track is, that’s not artwork. That’s commerce in the event you ask me. I’ll be again within the studio as we’re making extra motion pictures this 12 months so I’ll create the soundtracks like I did on a number of the motion pictures previously.
What are your predictions for 2025?
I feel 2025 is a collaboration 12 months. For those who’ve constructed a sustainable profession the place you don’t have anything extra to show, collaboration is vital to scale your concepts and attain a wider viewers.
How would you describe your capability as a multi-talented persona?
A blessing and a curse in the event you ask me. In 2025, the DJ and actor a part of me are prime priorities. I’ve been blessed with a variety of expertise and all I’m actually attempting to do is present anybody coming after me that it’s potential to fulfil your potential, living a number of desires and successful in life legitimately.
From an funding standpoint, what are a number of the different areas you’re keen to put money into?
Just a few short-let flats could be nice, and a video games arcade too. I type of miss proudly owning a recreation centre. I’ve invested so much in e-sports/gaming through the years filling up 4000-capacity venues a number of occasions and giving players one thing thrilling to look ahead to so, my very own recreation arcade could be good.
Why Artistes, Labels, Shouldn’t Overlook Impression Of DJs – DJames
On this unique interview, Widespread UK, multi-award-winning DJ and professionalducer, ‘DJames’, shares his journey, from beginning out organically to changing into a world DJ. As a consequence of his capability to infuse Afrobeat with different worldwide sounds, DJames has been in a position to create a fan base throughout Europe, North America, and Africa, particularly in Nigeria, by way of his mixtapes, songs, and dwell live shows. He has additionally DJed for widespread singers like Burna Boy, Drake, and Chris Brown, et-al. EGUNGWU CHUKWUKA brings excerpts.
Are you able to share with us what impressed you to develop into a DJ, and the way you began?
Actually, I used to be by no means impressed to be a DJ, it simply occurred organically through the years. I at all times liked music and I’d be the one making compilation CDs for all my mates to play of their vehicles. Then at College some mates of mine begined operating campus occasions and wanted a DJ. I mentioned I’d do it to assist them out and it actually took off from there.
Being a world DJ, how do you compare what we do right here to what’s obtainable on the market?
Within the final 5 or 6 years that I’ve been coming to Lagos, I’ve seen a giant improvement within the DJ scene, so issues are shifting in the proper route for positive. The membership scene could be very totally different in Lagos to a variety of different nations I’ve performed in, and I feel the DJs are a mirrored image of that. For instance within the UK, I performed a variety of 5 or six-hour units, typically seven occasions per week, and the identical crowd could be there from begin to end. I challenged myself to by no means repeat a track by way ofout the night time, which meant I needed to be artistic and have a deep assortment of music. I positively suppose that has helped with the shorter units I are inclined to play nowadays.
I’d wish to see extra DJs basically specific their very own musical style of their units and provides the gang one thing totally different.
How do you stability infusing Afrobeat with different worldwide sounds, creating a singular fusion that resonates along with your viewers?
I simply do what sounds good to me, and I’m very lucky that different individuals have resonated with it through the years. There’s a lot expertise in Nigeria and I really feel prefer it’s my duty as a DJ to showcase the music outdoors of Africa. One of many methods I can do that is by mixing African vocals with different genres to assist new audiences higher perceive Afrobeats. I’m assured that everybody who hears it should like it.
Nigerian singer, Crayon was featured in your new single, ‘Avalay’. What’s your expertise working with him?
Crayon has been completely incredible to work with all through this whole course of. He was certainly one of my favorite artistes earlier than I even began producing, so after I was placing collectively a project I knew I needed to have him on it. We’d been speaking for just a few years and at some point I despatched him some beats. Not lengthy after, he video-called me from the studio with Avalay enjoying within the background and I used to be so blissful.
How do you keep up to date with new releases and developments, contemplating the big variety of singers globally?
I’ve at all times performed it, so it doesn’t actually really feel like work. I work for DJcity and Beatsupply as their curator for African and Caribbean music, so I need to keep on prime of these genres day-to-day. I’m positive even when I didn’t have that position although, I’d nonetheless keep updated as a result of I’m such a fan. I examine totally different locations for music like DSP charts, Shazam charts, blogs and social media. I’m additionally actually lucky to have relationships with a variety of the artistes and their groups now, so that they’re at all times sending me new releases forward of time.
Do you imagine that DJs are underappreciated and ignored for his or her contributions to the leisure trade?
I feel a variety of artistes and labels overlook DJs. I’ve this dialogue on a regular basis. They’ve the ability to interrupt data and introduce music to new audiences however I feel lots of people neglect to even attain out to them. It’s one thing I’m actually attempting to assist with. In the previous few years, I’ve satisfied a variety of artistes to begin sharing their acapella and instrumentals so DJs can remix them, create routines. With social media now, you by no means know what somebody would possibly give you and go viral.
In my view, they will additionally make nice A&Rs. They’re out within the membership each weekend testing songs and seeing how the gang reacts. You’ll be able to’t purchase that experience.
At what level did you realise you had develop into a star DJ?
I don’t consider myself as a well-known DJ. Even in spite of everything these years, I really feel like I’m simply getting began as a result of the landscape is consistently altering and so are my targets. There have positively been some moments the place I’ve felt like I’m beginning to make an influence, which is ultimately what I’m centered on. Whether or not it’s certainly one of my favorite artistes reaching out to say they’re a fan, or individuals stopping me for pictures on the street, it’s an excellent feeling however it doesn’t actually change anyfactor for me. I simply wish to hold constructing my fan base and serving to the artistes that I like.
Are you able to share with us certainly one of your regrets as a DJ?
My greatest remorse might be not taking the leap of religion and specialising earlier in my profession. It was throughout the pandemic, after I wasn’t in a position to play in golf equipment, that I mentioned to myself it’s time to play the music I really like. Fortunately the viewers actually gravitated to what I used to be doing and I’ve by no means had to return to enjoying DJ units I don’t take pleasure in.
