Mdundo DJ Spotlight: DJ Voyst - "DJs are not Respected by Co-Entertainers"

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Our first feature on this year’s Mdundo DJ Story is the talented disc jockey, DJ Voyst. 

DJ Voyst Babatunde Oyidi is a new school DJ, producer and artist from Kogi state, Nigeria. Born on the 5th of July 1995 in Lagos state, he completed his elementary & tertiary education in Lagos. He is also a graduate of the University Of Lagos.

Voyst started as a "rave guy" (throwing parties) after secondary school before he then advanced and became a show promoter. Due to his love for music and entertainment, he became a club hype man but then realized he wasn’t fulfilled till he became a DJ. He started DJing in 2014 but professionally in 2016. Voyst also has a yearly concert called The Sound Surgeon Concert. It kicked off in 2017 and had 3 episodes before the Covid 19 pandemic struck in 2020. According to Voyst,  “The show then took an important break so we can do better with the next edition”. 

Here’s how the conversation with our correspondent went; 

Let’s pick up the conversation from your 2021 feature with Joeboy; tell us about how the song came about, the idea, the recording and Joeboy’s delivery.

Felicitation… hmmm, that song is a special song. At the time I first listened to the song, it was already recorded. I liked it and asked him to let me drop it as my record, and that was it. Because at the time I had been disturbing him for a feature but the man was too busy and was off the studio so I decided to pick this song. Joeboy’s delivery on the record is certainly one for the books.

Your new song with Victony ‘Based On Analysis’. This collaboration is coming from your long silence in the industry. What made you stay off for so long and how did the feature come about?

From my last release in 2021, I realized I needed to do things right. A lot is clear now in terms of release narrative, funding, rollout and everything regarding promotion if truly you want your music to do what it’s meant to do. 

We can see that your new energy is pointing at something, are we expecting an EP or specific body of work soon? 

Ermmmm we never can tell.. but I have a couple of dope songs I can’t wait to share.

Afrobeats is becoming a playground of features, both globally and locally. Artists do collaborate with artists. Artists do collaborate with DJs. But we rarely see DJs work with other DJs. Why are DJ collaborations not a thing?

Personally, I’ve asked myself this same question but I feel like a lot of DJs are focused on getting gigs and improving their craft. We will certainly get to that point in the game, that’s for sure. 

Are there any DJs on or off the scene that you look up to or who inspire you or maybe you will love to collaborate with locally and internationally? 

Sure, in fact, a whole lot of them. 

How will you describe your DJ journey? Bitter-sweet, filled with huddles or the one that has been smooth sailing?

It’s been a rollercoaster. Bittersweet… I really can’t wait for that particular sweet I’ve been looking forward to. 

What are the challenges you are facing as a DJ?

I think there is a lot which could be individual challenges but the one that gets to me most is the fact that we are not respected and appreciated by people (co-entertainers) in this industry. 

Do you think that the deejay world has given women adequate representation?
Yes. 

How do you balance your life as a professional DJ and your family?
Aside from the work aspect of things, DJing is also my hobby… So I try as much as possible to make my family see it that way. So when I can, we link and do some activities or hang out. 

Which Naija artist will you like to play for and why?

Play for? Currently, I Play for Joeboy. That’s my dawg right there 

How do you feel mixing Afrobeats tunes, compared to mixing foreign songs?

Afrobeats is just unique. The energy that comes with it is unreal sometimes... Foreign songs give me joy too especially when you’re playing at clubs or concerts with people that rock the genre. 

Why do artists that DJ feature on a record don’t always support or even try to help them promote?

If I had the answer(s), I probably would be one of the happiest guys lol... Coz I’m not sure they don’t like the song… because if they don’t why then jump on the song…? 

What advice would you give to your past self, and those who want to take up DJing as a career?

Never to doubt one’s self and keep trying. 

You can follow DJ Voyst on Instagram and Twitter - @djvoyst and on TikTok: @djvoyst_.