MOOD SPINS
DJ SPINALL
"Music means more than enough to me, music means life and strength. Music gives me courage, music is the whole essence of my being”
A New Wave Presentation
Mood Spins ft DJ SPINALL
For the latest in our Mood Spins series we caught up with Oga of afrobeats, DJ, producer, songwriter, label exec, and media personality, DJ Spinall. Starting out in 2004 spinning the decks as a radio DJ at Raypower 100.5 FM he harnessed the skills he learnt during his studies as an electrical and electronics engineer at university. After refining his technique and earning major career success, Spinall can now assert himself as an innovator and pioneer in the world of afrobeats. With an extensive understanding of foundational genres such as Ghanaian highlife and Nigerian pop, he is able to fuse a variety of sounds while giving centre-stage to the growing landscape of afrobeats. With an unrelenting mentality towards his craft, from the creation of his own brand and label TheCAP to becoming the first Nigerian DJ at Glastonbury festival and the official DJ to Wande Coal; it would be hard to exaggerate Spinall’s finesse and influence on the music industry.
Catch some sunny rays all the way from Lagos with his latest visual for single ‘SERE’ featuring Fireboy DML, part of Spinall’s fifth studio album Grace – an instant classic with a royal line-up of both established and rising Nigerian talent.
You're selecting a song for the latest fashion show for your favorite African designer, what song is it?
For a fashion show for my fave African designer, it would definitely have to be my song ‘Pure Water’ feat WurlD & Niniola.
You get stuck on a desert island with just one track to play until you are rescued, what would it be?
Hmmm Hmmmm ! Ok I’d go with my track ‘Everytime’ feat Kranium. This record will keep my mind stable for sure. Another song that could also work would be ‘Tonight’ featuring Omah Lay. Tonight is such a soulful masterpiece and would be perfect for that sort of ambience while I wait to be rescued. They better hurry (laughs)
What song would you put on to teach someone a lesson who has taken your good will for granted?
I would probably give a dose of my own song - ‘Calm Down’ ft Mr Eazi
The sun is out, you’ve just made a big money move, and you’re feeling accomplished – what song complements such a moment?
Definitely ‘SERE’ feat Fireboy DML, Perfect Record for this !!!! We just dropped the visuals for this that were shot on the beach in Lagos.
You are trying to get through the streets of Lagos surrounded by a sea of kids excited to see you, what song would be playing?
Hahahaha “ BaBa “ - Spinall ft Kizz Daniel
You’ve just had an argument with your girl, what track are you going to put on that justifies how you feel?
Easily - Energy - Spinall ft Minz & Bella Shmurda
You’re bumping around, cruising with some of your oldest friends and they pass you the aux – what song do you put on that throws everyone back to the times when you first met?
Return of the Mack - Mark Morrison
What song has gotten you through some of your biggest struggles?
‘Oluwa Lo Ni’ - Wizkid ... Still remains the most played song on my laptop till this day. Growing up in Alagbado Lagos, I used to just let it play with the repeat button on. Such a powerful record that’s highly spiritual and has endless depth.
If you could choose one song to represent you at this present time in your life, what would you pick?
Beyoncé - ‘Me Myself & I’! It’s not a ladies song by the way. Ask Beyonce - She will tell you. Lol
What song guarantees to take you back to a pivotal moment in your life?
‘Ocean Drive’ by Lighthouse Family. My elder brother tried to deafen us all the way back then with this song. I feel like this song open my ears to the inside world of music itself.
You’ve found a time machine and travelled back 100 years, what song do you take with you to show people?
‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’ - Simon & Garfunkel
If I could sneak one song inside my socks on this trip, it would be King Sunny Ade - ‘Easy Motion Tourist’