DJ SirMe: I wanted to be an engineer but became a DJ like my father
DJ SirMe performing at a night club in Nakuru.
Unless you are new to the party scene in Nakuru, you must have experienced a party hosted by DJ SirMe.
His sets are characterized by having everyone on their feet from the beginning to the end of his set earning his street name, Mr. Good Vibes.
In an exclusive interview with Mtaa Wangu, DJ SirMe whose real name is Samuel Otieno, shares how he got into the entertainment world and his experiences in it so far.
A few minutes into the conversation with DJ SirMe, it is clear how much love he has for music.
A love that was greatly influenced by his father who was also a DJ back in the 80s.
But just like any other child growing up, DJ SirMe had big dreams and his, were to be an engineer.
"My dreams of being an engineer quickly died when I got to Form 2 in high school and Physics began to show me dust," he notes with a chuckle.
It was at this point that he developed an interest in arts and media which would earn him a job at Hero radio years later.
"Back when I was in high school, I used to be a dancer and a rapper. These two activities were the greatest antidote for the then shy me. At the time, I had esteem issues and loathed standing in front of people not knowing it was all in preparation for my current reality," he reminisces.
DJ SirMe reveals that he developed in an interest in being a DJ back in 2013.
DJ SirMe before his performance at a Nakuru night club.
"I wanted to be surrounded by music all the time so I thought of being a DJ. What also affirmed the decision was knowing that I could earn money to support myself and family just like my DJ friends were doing," he highlights.
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The road to achieving this dream wasn't a rosy one for the DJ who had to take up many odd jobs just to afford going to a DJ academy.
"Starting out was the hardest and I am really grateful for Nakuru Players Theatre which was literally my home. Without the support offered there, I'm sure I'd have given up long ago," the 30-year-old notes gratefully.
His efforts bore fruits two years later when he began playing professionally and even secured a job at Hero Radio where he worked for three years.
"2015 really was my breakthrough year since I started getting gigs on top of my new shiny job at Hero Radio. I also remember getting my first biggest pay cheque back then."
When asked what he used the cash on, he shares amidst hearty laughter, "I had always wanted a pair of Timberlands and that's exactly what I bought in addition to food and other essentials."
The DJ further cemented his name in the entertainment world after playing at his first biggest gig, Miss Tourism Nakuru, back in 2016.
Just like any other occupation, being a DJ also has some downsides to it.
DJ SirMe shares, "the biggest downside is the lack of privacy that comes with being known by a lot of people. This is often accompanied by a lot of judgement and preconceived notions from strangers."
Additionally, he notes that another challenge DJs face is extortion by club owners some of who choose to pay in form of food & drinks with others not paying at all.
When offering advice to upcoming DJs he shares, "Be sure to have your own unique style to set yourself apart and always look for a way to improve your skills. Also, be patient with yourself since it takes time to grow a fan base."
The sky is the limit for the DJ who shares that he plans on being a DJ for life, with dreams of venturing into music production later on.