ZJ Heno Spills The Beans!

Team Ghafla! has managed to track down accomplished Kenyan Dancehall Deejay, ZJ Heno and this is what he has to share with us:

Ghafla!: Describe who ZJ Heno is in a few words.

ZJ Heno: Deejay/Producer
             Business man / C.E.O of Empire sounds
             Humble guy. Down to earth. Easy going.
             Lover of life. Simplicity is what I use to survive. God fearing

Ghafla!: How long have you been deejaying professionally? How and where did you start out?

ZJ Heno:Been in the business for 2 years as a professional. Started doing online radio [globallinkzradio.com] and street     mixtapes [both audio and video].

Ghafla!: Some people have stated that Deejays and Radio Presenters cannot be passed off as celebrities. What’s your take on that? Would you call yourself a celebrity?

ZJ Heno: Well, think it depends on an individual to either classify a radio presenter/dj as a celebrity …I don really consider myself as a celebrity you know. It’s up to the people to decide.

Ghafla!: Back in the 1990s and the early 2000’s they used to be known as Deejays. Now they are being referred to as Veejays. Is there really any difference between the two? And what is a ZJ?

ZJ Heno: I don’t think there is a difference..Just that the deejaying culture has changed and revolutionized. We still use the old skull techniques like mixing records and thing. Deejay is a Disk Jokey.Veejay – Video jokey .Veedeejay – Video disk jokey and Zj – Zip jokey

Ghafla!: There is a new crop of Deejays coming up that has been weaned off Dj mixing software such as Atomix Virtual DJ, Acid and not the traditional turn table. Would you call these guys deejays? Do you use this software in your gigs?

ZJ Heno: Yeah they are Djs.you find some of them can’t afford the equipment and training to be a professional.However.they should strive to get the skill and the proper qualifications because using software limits you. You don’t get to interact with the audience well coz u spend time in ur bedroom or office mixing for yourself and hope that the audience would enjoy the final product.
Yeah I use serato software during my gigs.

Ghafla!: Give a few things never to tell a Dj, any Dj in a club.

ZJ Heno: Play my song next [then you stand there]..Really sucks. I will play your song just give me a little time and space.
             Please reduce the volume
             Please repeat that song again. After you have played it 4 times
             Play me this song that goes like this..’hmmmm..nanana..nanana’..i think you now it. No I don’t.

Ghafla!: You are currently on the DJs who are spreading the Jamaican dancehall music genre specifically riddims among the  Kenyan youth. What has the response been? Do you feel like riddims kill reggae/roots music?

ZJ Heno: Response is great we slowly progressing. But people need to slow down a little bit. Learn to appreciate the music first and content that the artist give.Dont rush to “brand new riddims” and all that. It’s never a competition.
Reggae roots music is here to stay more than even dancehall riddims.It is the foundation.Riddims are also part of reggae. There are reggae riddims that are being released also but not as much as dancehall riddims.So I don’t think we need to worry.

Ghafla!: Currently music deejays are relying on global online music platforms such as Mixcrate, SoundCloud, YouTube and Reverbnation to promote themselves online. Some of these avenues are not monetizable. Do you think a local solution could be the solution?

ZJ Heno: I think those platforms are really helping us. You can have an international fan base and it’s an easy way to secure gigs abroad because there is wide listenership.
Yeah there should be a local solution. First the djs should focus on building their foundation locally and make the people appreciate their services. There should be a system put in place and agreed by all stakeholders in the djing business that can help djs push their services at the same time monitor.

Ghafla!: The reggae genre music has been associated with the riff raff and the downtrodden in the Kenyan society for a long time. Has the situation changed or is it the same? If yes, what is the new age reggae clientele like?

ZJ Heno:I think it has changed with the crop of new young reggae/dancehall deejays and sounds.Although, some people are not still comfortable at reggae gigs but it’s a good progression as compared to recent years.
The new age reggae clientele is sophisticated and well into the music and its details which is good because we really need that now in order to progress.

Ghafla!:. Any advice to young men and women out there who would like to become successful deejays one day?

ZJ Heno: First know it very competitive. You have to step up your game. Be creative and innovative.
             Be humble and give it your all. Know it’s a business and it professional. So have all your work ethics applied and    

             always stay a step ahead of others. 

 Not yet convinced about ZJ Heno’s capabilities? Have a listen at his mixtape below and LEAVE A COMMENT: