interview by ayo alfonso
photographs by john odebunmi
styling by henry uduku
makeup by tumz beauty
production by iyin abiodun
november 21, 2019
getting to a happy place with DJ YIN
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interview series: detailing the creative journey of young nigerian minds.
DJ Yin is currently living her childhood dream of becoming a DJ. This decade she has been able to establish her multi-faceted talent touring and performing in unexpected places.
Her ability to draw you in with her story telling based on her real life experiences on love and letting go, makes her music truthful, relatable and empowering. She never fails to preach about mental awareness, as she explains "I went through it and there are still people in the dark. For you to actually come out of depression you have to be aware."
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DJ Yin talks us through her beginnings, the experiences that shaped 'Life of Fatima', Ghana being a spiritual place and overcoming depression.
What was your background in music like?
A little backstory is that I grew up in Chicago. My Dad was a Basketballer and also a DJ. My Friend's Dad (DJ Jimmy Jatt) gave me a thorough background, I mean the foundation I needed in music. I used to always sing around the house when I was little and my Mum was really supportive.
There was a Record Box around the house so I listened to a lot of music someone my age shouldn't have been listening to at the time. So I used to wake up to songs like Power of Love by Celine Dion. I couldn't wait to fall in love. [laughs]. I also listened to Fela.
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What is your favourite Fela song?
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'Sorrow, Tears and Blood'. Another one I really like is 'Coffin For Head of State'. I love the composition of that one.
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Can you tell us about your path to becoming a DJ?
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I always knew I wanted to be a DJ. I used to stay hooked to the radio for long hours and I also listened to DJ mixes. So I was really blessed to have met DJ Jimmy Jatt. I think when I was learning from him at around 2013, was when the journey really started. My first mix was a mess. Jesus Christ! When I went to play it for him, he was in shock, it was terrible.
Is the mix online?
No way! It's never coming online. The past is the past please. [laughs.] It was bad, he said, I was just jamming songs. But thank God for growth.
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I went through all your music and I can see a lot of collaboration with BankyOnTheBeatz and the synergy is obviously there, how did you begin to make music with him?
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Yeah, at first singing was hard, because I had never made music professionally, then I met Banky and we hit it off and we made our first song 'Heart Desire'. From then on I just continued making music.
How do you get inspired to create music?
I get inspired by everything happening in my life. Most of the songs that I have released are linked to some event that happened in my life.
Is that why your last project was titled 'Life of Fatima'?
Life of Fatima was an experience for me. 'Sora' [the first track], just talks about people acting like people, I feel like I have gotten to a point where I am just like, “girl you been there” and now I have moved on.
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So it was like a phase?
Yes. Absolutely, Life of Fatima was definitely a phase. Because where I am right now is not where I was when I made Life of Fatima. However, I don’t judge myself based on that. I think everything needed to happen for me to be who I am today
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How did the project come together?
It took about a year for I and Banky to start making the EP. Eventually it turned out really cool. I made the second song on the EP, (Currency) when I was really broke. It had a Fela sampling and a Lagbaja sampling in it.
'Close to me' is legit the song you’d sing when you are horny. 'Lie to Me', the fifth track was about this nonsense boy that was lying to me. At the time, I was at a point where I didn’t love myself enough.
Was there a general message on 'Life of Fatima'?
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The idea of the project is based on things every woman deals with. Whether it's self image, not loving yourself enough, jealousy or times where we are very horny. So Life of Fatima is basically the life of every girl.
That means you’re happy now ?
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Yessss. [laughs]
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About happiness and depression, you address these subjects on social media and in your music. Can you share more?
Hmm. I think in the process of depression, at some point you will have to come to a conclusion that something very significant has to change in your life.
Yes, sure. Like when you hit rock bottom?
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Exactly. I was on Level 1, just before Life of Fatima. Life of Fatima was definitely Level 2. 'Sora' in particular.
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Wow! did you ever get to Level Five?
Oh I feel like I got to that point. I don’t talk about it anymore but I really preach about mental awareness because that is what I am about you know?
People are still out there in the dark, I can remember even after the first level of depression I was saying I will spread what I knew about depression, but little did I know that more was coming. Basically I seriously went through it, but thank God for art, thank God for life, thank God for being able to put how we feel into songs.
Yeah, I believe art can be a release.
Yes, if you can you know? Sometimes you just have to do inner work, no creating. That’s why, for a while I have just been quiet. Because I can't be singing negativity into my work.
When you say “quiet” what do you mean? Less social media? Less production?
I did not drop any music for a while after Life Of Fatima. I moved out of Nigeria after dropping it. It's been a long 7 months.
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So you left Nigeria, and left we your fans for Ghana ?
Well technically, I didn’t leave you guys, you still have my banners up in Lagos.
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Fair enough. I see a lot of artists go to Ghana and come back musically rejuvenated. Is there something in Ghana that attracts the musically talented? Everyone goes to and is going to Ghana. What is in Ghana?
It's a very spiritual place.
Going to Ghana, was it tied directly to your decision to come out of depression or to be in a happy place?
Of course. Let’s be honest, you know that when you leave Nigeria you feel sane. Lagos had all the memories so I just felt I needed to take a break. I schooled in Ghana so there was something about waking up there every morning that felt refreshing.
"You have to stretch yourself, that way there is growth. All the stretching is pain, that's the journey"
Apart from moving which may be a drastic step for some, what tiny but significant steps can people take to help get past tough days?
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Well, I think awareness is important. Before you can come out of depression, you have to be very aware. When you know what the problem is, you can call it a name, it has no power over you. You get more confused when you don't know what the problem is.
After you know what the problem is, you now decided to cut off everything that triggers whatever it is that you are feeling. This can be very difficult. Then obviously there is going to be a relapse because you are not fully healed, it is like a step. People that have succeeded may have failed so many times. But because you have gone through something before you are able to deal with that situation in the future. There may be times where you call for help but the trick about it is at the end of the day you have to pull yourself out of it.
The moment you tell yourself you want this, things will definitely try to pull you away. But if you look at “these” things, they are just trying to strengthen you. I was reading something a while back and it said, “If you want a million dollars”, it’s not going to fall from the sky, the universe wants to see if you’re prepared for it.
You have to stretch yourself, that way there is growth. All the stretching is pain, that's the journey. The moment you change your mindset your reality changes.
There's a lot of depth to everything you just said. People are going to be meditating with this content.
Oh yes. Also you know that meditating comes in different forms right? So it's not just by sitting down and assuming the pose.
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Would you say Female DJs are treated fairly in the industry?
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I think whatever gender or whatever profession, you will have people coming for your neck. I personally feel like a lot of people are not just mentally strong enough or mature enough to be fair to other people.
So it's really just left to you to shape your future. Having a discerning spirit to know how to navigate.
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What can you tell us about your new single "Let Go" and future music?
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Even though I am still talking about love and letting go, Let Go is like a new feeling. I'm in a happy place now. You’d feel it.
I still want to keep making music that is personal, music that I like.
