DJ Baby Drew is the official DJ for Rn’B star Chris Brown. He talked to Darius Mugisha about how he met Brown and them working together. Chris Brown’s official DJ, DJ Babey Drew is set to perform at the Black and White party at Garden City Rooftop tomorrow. Drew will share a stage with Navio. Although he dodges questions about Chris Brown’s controversy, Drew has great expectations for his visit to Kampala.
Chris Brown (left) and DJ Baby Drew after a gig.
What brings you to Uganda?
I am coming to rock the Ugandan crowd and hopefully leave a lasting impression when I leave.
Had you heard about Uganda before?
Of course, I’m well versed in the world. Actually, Uganda is a pretty common place that people in America know about. Many Ugandans concentrate on the stars (artistes) and do not know a lot about the DJs
How are you going to deal with that?
I have never run into that problem … I have a feeling people will be really supportive of me. Besides, Chris will be at his home in LA or Virginia, so they have no choice. LOL!!
How is it like working with Chris Brown?
It’s an amazing opportunity and I’m blessed to be doing what I’m doing. I have no issues, because I try to always deliver. He doesn’t bother you if you deliver. The few times I have fallen short, or just didn’t deliver, it wasn’t that bad. It only gets bad when you continually mess up. I have seen some of my coworkers get it bad … But I can always say it was their fault. Outside of work, he’s like a family member. I wish the best for him.
What did it take for you to become his official DJ?
It was being at the right place at the right time twice! I met Chris while working at my radio station in Virginia when he first was promoting Run It! I told them if they ever needed a DJ, they should consider me. The second time, I was at a DJ Power summit in the Bahamas. He (Chris Brown) was about to perform a showcase for the DJs and I asked him if I could play for him after. He had randomly sat at my table and that’s how I became his official DJ. I later learnt from his manager that I had a certain “look” that worked with the formula they were going for and that helped too.
How long have you been doing this?
I’ve been at the job for seven years. I have been his only DJ for all this long.
Did you go to a DJ school or how did you get into deejaying?
I didn’t go to DJ school just as Picasso didn’t go to school for art. No knock on anyone who went to school for deejaying, I respect that a lot, but the world was my school; and still is today. I am a learn whore; I want to learn about everything! It’s a gift and a curse, because it limits what you can actually master, but a blessing because I can do a lot of random things.
Why come to Uganda alone and not with Chris Brown, we thought you guys work and do shows together?
I’m sure if the promoter that hired me wanted to drop an extra $ 50,000 (about Shs125m), Chris would be right here too. Lol! That’s like asking the account executive why the CEO of his company doesn’t go on vacation with him! It’s highly unlikely.
Should Ugandans hope that you will convince Chris Brown to visit Uganda sometime soon?
Yeah. Why not? I’ll share my experience with him. I can say we have had some interesting experiences in Nigeria and some other parts of Africa. But from what I think, I know Uganda is nothing like Nigeria.
What type of music should we expect you to play?
A little bit of everything. Rn’B, House, Dancehall, Hip Hop, Old School. Basically everything.
Outside of deejaying what are your hobbies?
I love cooking and photography. I dedicate most of my free time to cooking.
What is your most memorable performance in all the years you have been on the job?
I performed for Oprah and her students at her school in South Africa. It was incredible.
Which other artistes have you worked with?
I’ve worked with Lil Wayne, Jordin Sparks, P. Diddy, Bow Wow, Tyga, T-Pain, and opened up for tonnes more.
What else do you do besides being Chris Brown’s official DJ?
I am a food lover, music lover, and lover of anything dope.
The DJ culture is still on the rise in Uganda, what advice would you give Ugandan DJS on how they can better their game?
Use turntables not CDs; Boos for CDJs… Lol! Learn everything. Don’t know how to do just one thing; know how to do everything.
What should Ugandans expect from you?
I’m gonna have fun, and entertain the crowd. I’ll take pics and have convos with whoever after I’m done deejaying. I want to learn about Ugandan culture and try foods specific to the culture.
