Meet Babatunde Afolabi | DJ & Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Babatunde Afolabi and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Babatunde, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
Growing up I never knew I was a creative. I was rebellious, restless and not academically gifted, but I could not tap into my creative gifts. I was in theatre but never delved deep into my creative side.

When I moved from the UK to America for college I delved into art. Coming to America made me see the world through a different lens. I had to let go of who I thought I was and become someone new. Art helped me do that.

At Michigan State, I was able to join a bunch of clubs that sparked my interest. I joined the DJ club and a fashion magazine. I started DJing Greek Life events and small bars. I also started picking up photography from a friend I met at the fashion magazine.

Although I started photography and djing for fun. I slowly and steadily became adept at both and have been able to monetize both passions.

For me creating art is a way to break out of the monotony of everyday life. As a person, I must constantly create and get better at something, or life will lose its spark. I have a curious mind and I know I will constantly pick up new skills and explore new avenues.

Music and photography help me connect to others on a deeper level. I am a social person, so being able to meet new people and connect with them through art is amazing.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
What sets me apart from others is my multifacetedness. I have a plethora of skills I can draw from that intertwine with each other. For example, after a DJ gig, I can make myself an after-movie without hiring a videographer. I can take pictures of the guests who came to the event. This means I bring utility to any event I go to.

In terms of music, my worldliness sets me apart. Afrobeats is now taking America by storm. Being born in Nigeria I was there to witness the evolution of the genre. I have a strong ear for what can make people dance and what will be the next wave of music. I want to be a pioneer in bringing Afrobeats and Amapiano to the forefront of music.

I am proud about getting my master’s degree from USC and starting my career in Artist&Repetoire. For me, it is important to do something you are passionate about. Through A&R I can engage in my love for music on a daily basis and develop and find new talent in the industry.

I am also proud of getting more gigs in Los Angeles. When I left Michigan after my undergraduate, I quit DJing and was solely doing photography and video. It was when a friend invited me to a Pangea Sound and No Nazar event I fell in love with music again. Los Angeles is rich with cultural music events with a strong community. The people there love to dance and the energy is fantastic. After a year of exploring the music scene in LA, I knew I wanted to get back into DJing and build my community.

Getting gigs was hard, but one thing I realised is it is all networking and marketing. As I started developing my brand as a DJ more gigs followed. At Michigan, it was easy to get bookings because I knew people, but in LA there are so many talented DJs fighting for the same opportunities. I have had to learn that I am competing with myself, not others. Collaboration is key to succeeding.

What I want the world to know about my brand and story is it’s one that’s unique. I was born in Nigeria, lived in the UK, then Michigan, then Texas, and now LA. I draw from all my experiences and my brand is constantly evolving. I am always willing to try new things and express myself creatively. Right now my focus, Is on producing my music, starting my own music event, and developing the next wave of afrobeats artists as an A&R.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
One thing I am good at is knowing the best events to go to. I would take them on a night out. Some of my favourite events in Los Angeles are Pangea Sound, Offline, Amapiano Nights, and No Nazar.

I would make sure while they are on their trip I give them a photoshoot. This gives them a chance to explore the city. Some of my favourite locations to do photoshoots are Beverly Hills, Venice Canals, Santa Monica, Chinatown, and the Broad Museum.

In terms of food, they have to try Dave Hot Chicken. I love eating there. Also, they have to try out some Mexican food.

I would also make sure they have a beach day, which is a must when you come to LA.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My friends are a big part of how I got into making art. When I joined Dj Club, the president was called Sachin Kumar. He later became my fraternity brother and my roommate in Los Angeles. His work ethic and creativity are remarkable, and he is always useful for advice. Although he doesn’t DJ that much anymore, he has switched his focus to content creation and is smashing it. We plan to start a music event together soon.

Website: https://visualsbybabz.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/babzaf/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BabzAf

Image Credits
Andrew Leon- Bercovich took the first image