49 Reasons Why — DJ PINYE
A few weeks back while reading one of the articles I had posted, a friend reached out and asked me a very interesting question, “why haven’t you done a piece on DJing”. To be honest, I had not given it much of a thought. When we think of music, we often forget the producers, DJs, or radio presenters. The folks behind the scene, who make it possible for the music to get to us, the consumers. Today I would like to dedicate this piece to someone that I grew up admiring and someone who has done a great deal for the culture.
Just like every orchestra needs a conductor, I guess every superhero needs their theme music. Batman doesn’t become Batman without Robin. It’s just how the story goes…Music is not an exception. Before we all had these awesome musical apps, that carefully deploying algorithms to curate our musical taste or redirect us on a discovery journey, we simply relied on the radio. Radio was and still remains an integral part of how we consume and interact with music. But the radio stations didn’t just magically get us the hottest songs, nor didn’t they just somehow know what the hottest songs would be to line up for a top 10 chart session. Nah, there was always a team behind the scenes, the guys who made the magic happen — the DJs.
When I think of the Kenyan music industry and who amongst the DJs have helped set the musical tone since day one, I cannot help but think about one guy who has been at the forefront and given it his all. Having been in the game for a career that has topped over three decades, he has seen and done it all. From record sales to sold-out concerts, he has influenced it all. His illustrious career is one that a few could rival, leave alone dream about. Just on the eve of his 50th birthday, he seems far from slowing down anytime soon. He also insists that he still has a lot of unfinished work.
DJ Pinye is as much a household name, as Ketepa is the de facto Kenyan tea brand. When you discuss DJing and Kenyan music, one cannot help but mention his name. He has successfully enshrined his name in the annals, we shall forever remember and know him as one of the key pioneers of the game. Let's be honest, before Pinye, DJing wasn’t even a career that a kid would aspire for. DJs were somewhat of a backdrop, a fixture at best. He helped revolutionize this and made himself the stable name that he is to date.
Starting off from very humble beginnings. He has to work odd jobs in the UK, saving up some money to buy himself turntables. He was a man with a plan from the get-go. He knew he has a passion for music and slowly worked his angle to get there. Pinye is a self-taught DJ. He usually used to get other DJs tapes and try to replicate the mix…copy with pride or is it a matter of learning from the rest? Doesn’t really matter the means, his approached worked. At first, DJing wasn’t his full-time plan, but after establishing himself as the go-to guy for house parties and the like. He finally got a break when he landed a gig in the UK to be playing at a pub on the weekends. This was the start of what has been to date 31 years behind the decks.
Pinye has really done it all. Playing in multiple events and arenas across the globe, he managed to establish himself not only as a DJ but made himself a brand. Using his stardom and platform, he made a way for others to also grow in the craft. Forming Skratchaholics was a great move. This was one if not the first DJing outfit, well I gotta say outside Homeboyz with DJ John and the like. Even though the outfit Skratchaholics didn’t last for long, they ended up proving a blueprint for others to follow. The likes of CodeRED were a spin-off of this outfit.
His career hasn’t been one without controversy, with some corners of the music industry claiming, “he doesn’t play certain Kenyan music” or “he isn’t supporting the industry”. Some claim that even though they may have some validity, kind of negate the fact that the guy is one of the few pioneers to have single-handedly made kids want to pursue the craft. Moreover, a DJ also reserves the right to play whatever music they are inclined to, as long as they keep the crowd on their feet :).
Pinye sat at the throne for such a long time. Being the key behind whether your music video would be played back then on the largest musical playform — The Beat. Many could argue he shut out a lot of artists. I personally think we should separate the DJ and the show. As a DJ he played a lot of Kenyan music which he still does on his shows Spice Sunday Cruise. Maybe he should have helped more artists out, but he was just a one-man army. I don’t make any excuses for the man…he has addressed this claim on several occasions.
Pinye is also the brainchild behind “discovering” some of the artists that have gone ahead to blaze the charts. The likes of Octopizzo and Elani can credit some parts of their success to Pinye. Using his side hustle Dreams 2 Beats, he continues to help shape the industry. Take a step back and think about it before you throw a stone at the man and claim he isn’t supporting the industry.
Hate him or love him, to me DJ PInye will always be amongst the pioneers. He is in a class alongside the likes of the great shapers like Jimmy Gathu (Jamadelics and the like), Ted Josiah (Hardstone), Eric Wainaina (5 Alive). DJ John (Homeboyz), David Murithi, Ogopa DJs, Clema, etc. These were all trendsetters in one way or another. Loaning their skills and expertise to the industry to help see it blossom and flourish to what it is today. Hats off to the legends, “… yeah, long live the idols, may they never be your rivals”.
Special shout out to all the Kenyan DJs out there. Whether in Kenya or abroad. This year has been a tough one, especially with clubs and bars being closed. Most of these guys have lost their hustle. But I’m quite impressed with how we have embraced technology and gone digital in the DJing sessions. Since April, Kenyan DJs are deploying their skillsets to keep the music going. Tune in to these Facebook platforms 254 Diaspora Djs Live In the Mix and 254 REGGAE DJs Live. As they famously say, “the party doesn’t stop.” Let's support the craft.
© Untitled’s Cut
