DJ Kish, whose real name is Beatrice Mukinda Njau, has quickly become a rising star in the music industry, making a name for herself with her captivating reggae mixes on TikTok. But her journey to stardom was anything but smooth.
Who is DJ Kish?
Hailing from Gatanga Constituency in Murang’a County, DJ Kish grew up in a staunch Akorino family. Raised with a strong Christian background, her father was a pastor, but despite the religious household, she always had a passion for music. Initially, DJ Kish had dreams of becoming a dancer or a hype woman, never imagining that DJing would become her true calling.
“I loved music from a young age and was recognized for dancing. I wanted to be a dancer or hype woman. Becoming a DJ wasn’t even on my radar,” DJ Kish shared in an exclusive interview with TUKO.co.ke.
Discovery of DJing
The spark for DJ Kish’s DJ career came unexpectedly in 2018, right after she completed high school. One evening, while watching a music show on TV with her sister, the idea of becoming a DJ suddenly caught her attention. The next day, her sister, noticing her newfound interest, suggested she pursue DJing. Within the week, DJ Kish had enrolled in a DJ school, beginning her unexpected journey into the world of mixing.
However, her entry into DJing wasn’t smooth. As an Akorino woman, wearing a turban, she faced discomfort from some of her classmates, who seemed unsettled by her presence. Despite the challenges, DJ Kish’s passion for music pushed her to continue.
Struggles in the Industry
Graduating in 2019, DJ Kish entered the job market full of optimism but soon realized the harsh reality. “I thought that because I am Mokorino and a girl, I would get a job very quickly. Little did I know, it was not as easy as I had imagined,” she confessed.
Her first and only gig that year was at a wedding, but it turned into a humbling experience. With no equipment of her own and little experience, DJ Kish played songs she thought would fit the event but was scolded by the bridal party. She remembered feeling humiliated as the team doubted her skills. “They were asking each other if I was really the DJ. I kept my patience and pushed on, but I left feeling discouraged,” she recalled.
This experience, paired with the lack of gigs, led DJ Kish to take a break from DJing in 2020. But in late 2020, people began reaching out to her, asking if she was still DJing. This reignited her passion, and she decided to give the industry another try.
Building Her Brand and Overcoming Obstacles
In 2021, DJ Kish made a comeback, taking on various gigs such as weddings, funerals, and baby showers. However, she still lacked her own equipment, relying on a laptop her sister had bought her. DJing was not always profitable due to the costs of hiring equipment, but DJ Kish remained determined. “I started saving up to buy my own gear because renting was taking up most of my earnings,” she said.
Her persistence paid off, and by the time she had enough savings for her own equipment, her career had started to pick up steam.
Breakthrough on TikTok
In 2020, DJ Kish ventured into TikTok, but her initial attempts did not yield much success. She posted one video and received only a few likes, leading her to abandon the platform for nearly a year. However, after receiving some tips from a friend, she returned to TikTok in 2021, where she began gaining traction.
“At first, I only got about 100 likes per video, but I remained consistent, and my brand grew slowly but steadily,” DJ Kish explained. She even faced challenges in finding an MC for her live performances, as she was too shy to speak while DJing. Eventually, she decided to try using a microphone on her own, borrowing one from her mother. The first time she MCed a mix, the response was overwhelmingly positive, and her content quickly began going viral.
“I woke up to see bigger numbers and more notifications than ever before,” she recalled. Her TikTok following grew rapidly, and soon, she had over 50,000 followers. She became a sensation, recognized for her live reggae mixes that caught the attention of fans across the world.
Falling in Love with Reggae Music
Though DJ Kish initially had no interest in reggae music, she has since fallen deeply in love with the genre. “When I was in school, I never played reggae. I used to play urban gospel and had no interest in reggae,” she shared. “But now, I love reggae so much that I don’t think I listen to any other genre.” Her passion for reggae music has led to comparisons with the late reggae MC Njambi Koikai, also known as Fayah Mama. DJ Kish humbly acknowledged these comparisons, believing it speaks to her growing influence in the reggae scene.
Breaking Stereotypes as an Akorino DJ
As an Akorino DJ, DJ Kish has faced her fair share of challenges, but she has refused to let her identity limit her career. “Being Akorino doesn’t affect my profession. I treat DJing just like any other job. My parents support me, and that’s all that matters,” she said, emphasizing that she doesn’t care about the opinions of others as long as she has her family’s blessings.
Today, DJ Kish is a rising star with a growing fanbase. Her success is a testament to her resilience, passion, and ability to overcome the obstacles life threw at her. From struggling to find gigs to becoming a TikTok sensation, DJ Kish has proven that with persistence and dedication, dreams can come true.
As she continues to grow her brand and reach more fans, DJ Kish’s journey is a source of inspiration for aspiring DJs and musicians everywhere.
