Introducing DJ Dris, a London-based musical explorer whose eclectic blend of Afrohouse, Funky House, and Tribal House reflects a lifelong passion for music. From his early days growing up in South London, where he was exposed to a diverse range of musical influences, to his current status as a pioneer of Afro-infused electronic sounds, DJ Dris’s journey has been defined by a deep connection to music and a desire to create memorable experiences for his audience.
As he continues to build his career, DJ Dris aims to showcase his unique sound and style, through powerful releases that bring an uplifting message of self-empowerment; join us in this interview to learn more about this talented DJ and music Producer.
Hi DJ Dris, it’s a pleasure to meet you! How are you doing?
I’m doing great, enjoying every day.
Can you tell us about your musical journey and how you got started in Electronic Music?
Well, I got into music when I was about 14 years old when my mum used to run various youth projects in South London. As part of it, she asked me what would be a good thing for the projects and the 1st thing I said was turntables. From there the rest is history.
Who was your favorite artist growing up? And what would be one of your favorite shows you’ve ever attended?
My favourite artist growing up would honestly be Nas, due to his lyrical art, however this changed once I heard Donaeo on ‘Devil in a Blue Dress’. Reason being, it was an unbelievable mesh of Soul and Funky House.
My favourite show honestly was Eminem at Wembley Arena and it was just the start of seeing what the power of music can do. I saw people crying, people going crazy, people absolutely in love with his music. I aspire to being able to create moments like that.
How has your background influenced your current sound and style?
It’s funny because when I started my journey in music, being of African decent wasn’t as cool as being Caribbean or American so I was really into early Bashment. I was always surrounded by my Nigerian family and loved all the lingo and the culture. So I always had a passion for Afro infused music and then Afrobeats landed and it definitely shaped my taste.
What was the ‘moment’ that had catapulted you to transition to pursuing Electronic Music?
I think it was always a passion due to the way I believe it made people feel. The Funky House and Deep House era really made it imperative to me to bring out Electronic music that I believe could make people feel an emotion when listening. And hopefully get them dancing too!
How has your time in the music scene in the South East of London shaped your approach to creating music?
The beauty of South East London is that there is a bit of everything when it comes to music. So, it’s always made me feel that no matter what happens I can always do what I feel. That for me is key and what I believe is really cool about being from south.
What challenges have you faced in your career, and how have they influenced your artistic development?
My biggest challenge musically has always been where do I fit. I always believed that what I was creating felt good – at least to me anyway, so it’s always been difficult for me to say ‘this is the genre of music I make’, as I never have had a structure per se. I have always created based on how I feel in the moment which means the sounds can vary. Now, I really just think create and let people hear it. That’s all.
Can you discuss some of the themes or messages you aim to convey through your music?
I believe in mood music, so I really try to ensure listeners can feel what I felt when I created the music. All of my songs have a deeper message or a story.
For example, I released a song called ‘Unstoppable’ and the message is for listeners to recall a time where they felt unstoppable or to remind them that they can’t be stopped by anyone apart from themselves.
Generally, the themes always revolve around Love and Self-Love or Self-Empowerment, as I like to elevate people through my art.
Looking ahead, what are your goals and aspirations for your music career?
I aim to be an internationally recognised artist with an award winning catalogue and a immense and loyal fan base.
Fans make music all the more worthwhile, because they love you for you and what you do. For me numbers is not necessarily the game, passion is.
What can we expect from DJ Dris in the coming months?
Its release, release, release and performance, performance, performance with a splash of build build build.
We thank DJ Dris for his time sharing more details about his background and career so far; with a true passion for music and for creating special moments for his listeners and followers, DJ Dris certainly keeps the bar high when it comes to live performances and compelling productions. Be sure to follow him across social media to learn more about his upcoming projects, live shows and releases, as he promises more news to come.
DJ Dris Online
