Doing Life With… is a BellaNaija Options collection that showcases how individuals stay, work, journey, care for his or her households and… all the pieces in between. We’re documenting the lives of all individuals and making certain everyone seems to be well-represented at BN.
Did you miss our final dialog with Oluwatosin Olaseinde? You possibly can catch up right here.
At present, we’re doing life with DJ Chocolate Thvnder, the primary DJ to be featured in Doing Life With… He tells us about his background and what it means to be a DJ in Nigeria.
Benefit from the dialog!
Hey Chocolate Thvnder. How are you right this moment?
I’m doing nice, thanks for asking. Excited to be sharing my journey with BellaNaija Weddings.
Can you’re taking us again to your early years—your actual title, the place you grew up and the way your background formed who you might be right this moment?
My actual title is Kofoworola Bhadmus. I grew up in Lagos, Nigeria, in a full of life family the place leisure and way of life have been already a part of every day life. My dad designed caps and conventional apparel for icons like K1 De Final, Florence Ita Giwa, and Folorunsho Alakija. Each Saturday, I might see his creations on The Charly Boy Present, worn by stars like Tunde & Wunmi Obe. Being surrounded by that stage of creativity and cultural affect formed how I noticed leisure, not simply as artwork, however as one thing that brings individuals collectively and leaves a long-lasting impression.
What was your instructional journey like, and did you at all times see your self working in music and leisure?
I studied Actuarial Science on the College of Lagos, however my pure path at all times led me to public relations and communications. That background gave me a robust basis in understanding individuals, manufacturers, and storytelling. Through the years, I labored in media, advertising, and even managed artists in some unspecified time in the future. However all through all of it, music was at all times operating within the background. Ultimately, I realised leisure wasn’t only a ardour, it was my calling.
At what level did you determine to grow to be a DJ, and what impressed you to decide on this path?
In late 2019, simply earlier than COVID hit, I skilled an enormous private loss that made me rethink my profession. I paused my job at the beginning of 2020 and began exploring new abilities. I attempted all the pieces from drawing to images, videography, graphic design, and even coding. However I stored asking myself: what feels tangible, viable, and actually me? That’s once I stumbled upon DJing on YouTube. The reality is, I had at all times been curating music for pals and small gatherings, and I cherished watching how the proper tune might utterly shift an environment. It simply clicked. By February, I leaned totally into DJing, mixing my love for music, creativity, and connecting with individuals. What began as a seek for a brand new path shortly grew to become a calling I couldn’t ignore.
How did you provide you with the title Chocolate Thvnder, and what does it signify to you?
Chocolate Thvnder represents distinction and power. “Chocolate” symbolises smoothness, richness, and one thing individuals naturally gravitate to, whereas “Thvnder” represents energy, power, and presence. Collectively, it displays my model as a DJ – clean however impactful, and at all times leaving an impression.
Are you able to stroll us by way of your profession journey to date, out of your first gig to essential moments like performing on the Huge Brother Naija Saturday Evening Get together?
My first gigs have been small, personal occasions, pals’ birthdays, weddings, and home events. I bear in mind Tolanji Baj connecting me with a buddy who had simply opened a lounge, which gave me my first residency for about three months proper after the lockdown. By December of 2020, I used to be already DJing at a buddy’s wedding ceremony. Every of these experiences constructed my confidence and sharpened my abilities. From there, I grew into greater areas, collaborating with manufacturers, acting at a number of weddings, and shutting down after-parties. One of many standout highlights of my profession to date was enjoying on the Huge Brother Naija 10/10 Saturday Evening Get together. Realizing that thousands and thousands of individuals throughout Africa have been vibing to my set in actual time was each surreal and one among my proudest milestones.
Each trade has its hurdles. What are the challenges of being a DJ in Nigeria right this moment?
One of many greatest challenges DJs face is being ignored in favour of different parts of leisure. There’s nonetheless this notion that DJs aren’t educated or must be disrespected on the slightest alternative. Past that, we additionally take care of the dearth of correct infrastructure, issues like dependable sound gear, music distribution, and licensing help. However regardless of these hurdles, Nigerian DJs stay extremely resourceful and passionate. We always discover methods to innovate, adapt, and keep related in an ever-changing trade. That resilience is a part of what makes our group so distinctive.
What has been one among your proudest moments to date in your journey?
In August 2024, I DJed a buddy’s wedding ceremony, and through the occasion, a girl walked as much as me asking for my particulars. I later came upon she was Sade Adenuga. She reached out to her planner, who ultimately added me because the second DJ at her wedding ceremony, and since then, I can’t even depend the variety of referrals I’ve gotten from that second.
One other proud spotlight for me was DJing the Huge Brother Naija Saturday Evening Get together. Each experiences remind me why I do what I do: creating recollections, connecting with individuals, and leaving lasting impressions by way of music.
Outdoors of being a DJ, is there anything that consumes your time? If you happen to weren’t a DJ, what would you be?
Outdoors of DJ-ing, I at the moment work as a Enterprise Growth Marketing consultant. I’m additionally enthusiastic about sports activities, particularly basketball, and have a robust curiosity in media technique and model communication. If I weren’t a DJ, I’d more than likely nonetheless be within the media and leisure house, working to assist manufacturers join meaningfully with audiences.
Trying again, what classes has DJ-ing taught you about resilience, creativity, and self-expression?
DJ-ing has taught me endurance and resilience. Typically crowds don’t react the way in which you anticipate, and it’s important to maintain going till you win them over. It’s additionally taught me that creativity is about fixed reinvention, discovering new methods to specific your self, and by no means being afraid to take dangers. Most significantly, it has proven me the ability of self-expression by way of music and the way sharing your ardour can encourage and uplift others.
___
Many because of Kofoworola Bhadmus for having this dialog with us and answering all our questions – and swiftly too, we should add.
Do you’re keen on this content material, have any suggestions for us or need to be a BellaNaija Options contributor? We’d like to learn from you. Shoot us an e mail: [email protected]. Be a part of us on Saturday for the following episode!
