Meet Seun Dare | DJ & Musician

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

Hi Seun, what’s one piece of conventional advice that you disagree with?
I disagree with almost all conventional advice. I found it to be more of a hinderance than help for my journey. It’s very easy to get wrapped up in what you feel like you’re supposed to be doing and what other people are doing. Everyone’s path is different and nobody knows what your path is like. Most people’s advice comes from their journey, and even if it is similar it might not be exactly the same so there is no guarantee it would work. I don’t shut out advice completely but I spend more time finding my own truths, paving my own path, and figuring out what works for me best.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
If you know anything about NYC, there is no shortage of DJs. It was daunting and overwhelming at first especially in a big city like New York, so creating an identity I could stand behind forever was very important to me. I tried my best not to box myself into one realm so I can have more options creatively. As a Nigerian, I have an affinity for afrobeat but I didn’t run straight to it. I threw myself in setting less familiar to me such as dancehall, reggae, soca, hip hop & RnB, just to be sure. This broadened my palette and my scope of music. I like to approach music in my own way not by the rules most of my peers were taught to follow. It took me a long time to figure out what works for me because the lifestyle is so fast it gives little to no breathing room for processing the journey. The pandemic actually allowed me the time to really decide what I wanted to do with deejaying as well as birth my music career with 3081 Main. I learned to sing, write, produce & engineer in one year. This has been the foundation for the momentum I’m moving with post-pandemic. Staying true to myself has worked for me and even landed me on stages such as DJ Tunez’s Afrocarnival where I was blessed enough to open up for the likes of artists like Voice, Busiswa, and WizKid. Figuring out what my path is meant to be, has actually been a challenge. I had to learn not to compare my journey to others, what advice to take, what I could and couldn’t do & how much of my actual self, I need to pour into my art to make it work. I plan to spread good energy via music whether it be deejaying or making music, and it seems to be working so far. I’m hoping I’m always in a position to spread good energy in these ways.

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.
New York is such a big city there’s actually too much to do & so much to see. Whatever vibe you’re looking for you can find it if you know where to look. The slate of activities and events are always changing but my go-to is anywhere that has enough afrobeats playing and good food. Lagos Lounge is always good for that. We also have various parts of the city where you can catch a good view of the skyline by some water or in a park & just relax. You also can go to any DJ KO booking, that is a sure bet for a good time in NYC.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’ve been fortunate enough to not have to go on my journey, as a DJ/Musician, alone. I’ve encountered and cultivated a lot of great relationships. A lot of my inspiration & motivation actually comes from my PVO Sounds brothers DJ Mikewest & DJ Ola. I would’ve never started DJing if not for them and it eventually became the gateway for me to start making music alongside my brother. My musical journey has been greatly uplifted by OTG. The love and support from them in my journey through them has exceeded that of an indie label, almost like family, and just like every family we fuss and fight but we still make it work. I’d also like to shout out Young Prince for being an early and avid supporter of my transition into being a DJ. Lastly, I’d like to shout out DJ Tunez for embracing me and PVO Sounds, in the various ways that he can and actively giving me the space to elevate as a DJ. It’s always humbling when people see the value in your work and what you’re trying to do so I greatly appreciate everyone supporting me as I progress.

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Image Credits
@yaraatieh11 @drdrummerd, @bytunde, J Olu Photography, @Kayphant,