I'm humbled by Best DJ in Ghana award - DJ Black

Awards play an integral part in one's career and DJ Black has scooped several awards as a Deejay, but winning the Best Ghana DJ of the Year, he says is particularly humbling.

Born Kwadwo Ampfo, DJ Black who hosts the Open House Party every Saturday on Joy FM emerged Ghana's ultimate Disc Jockey at the maiden edition of the Ghana DJ Awards which came off at the National Theatre last Friday.

The man, affectionately called Mr. Black by colleagues at Joy FM told Myjoyonline.com, he feels humbled by the award.

The recogntion, he said, means there is “a greater responsibility now on your shoulder because now it's a recognized thing among all DJs.”

He was of the view that “every DJ has his unique style and to be the best in Ghana is not just about scratching or is not just about the fact that you can DJ or you can play but how you can put everything together and entertain people.”

Apart from the topmost award, he scooped two other awards - Best Event DJ of the Year and Best Male Radio DJ of the Year.

DJ Black believes that the recognition is a clear indication that “whatever you've been doing people have been observing, people too appreciate it so yeah a lot more hard work, no stopping. This art form of Deejaying when you start, you don't sleep, you can't stop.”

DJ Black regretted that due to reasons beyond his control, he couldn't attend the awards. He said although there were hitches, which are expected in the first edition of every event, the organizers have done a good job.

“One of our main aims as DJs in Ghana is to unify and come under one common umbrella and let everybody see our use and, of course, what we contribute to the Ghana music industry,” he said and that the awards was a positive step towards realising that goal.

Kwadwo Ampfo started Deejaying in 1995 and 18 years down the line, he says “it's been a lot of hustle” but “it's been worth it.”

Encouraging persons aspiring to be DJs, he said despite the challenges, “If you want to venture into it, why not,” but stressed that education must and should be the corner stone.

DJ Black, who also hosts the Weekend Warmer on Joy FM on Fridays, was of the view that would-be DJs have been handed the profession on a silver platter with the emergence of technology - computers, softwares - and the internet but one's composure is always key in achieving success.

He urged would-be DJs to research and always practise.

Popularly known as Mr Toontoom, DJ Black has performed on several international platforms. He won the Rothman's West African DJ Champ in 2001, International Red Carpet Award in 2007 and 2008, voted Africa's second Best DJ and also performed at the Big Brother Africa platform in South Africa.

While he has unearthed several DJ talents, like E Double, DJ Master J, Nii Ayi Tagoe, DJ Loft, he wants to continue nurturing more talents to prove to people that Deejaying can also be a rewarding profession.

“Today DJs are also climbing up the ladder and the future is to open up more doors to people and also be an icon,” he said.

Touching on some of the challenges facing DJs in Ghana, DJ Black pointed out that the low remuneration and lack of equipment were the two big issues.

Another downside, he added, is the lack of respect for DJs, calling for a change in attitude towards the profession.

Best Gospel DJ
Kwesi Aboagye – Peace FM (Accra)

Best Highlife DJ
DJ Advicer – Happy FM (Accra)

Best Hiplife DJ
DJ Slim – Kapital Radio (Kumasi)

Best Reggae/Dancehall DJ
Blakk Rasta – Hitz FM (Accra)

Best Mobile DJ
DJ Master J

Mixtape DJ of the Year
DJ Mic Smith – Da Reminda

Scratch DJ
DJ Hubert

Nite Club DJ
DJ Killa-Fingers – Vanity/Baloroma

Artiste DJ of the Year
DJ Mensa (Sarkodie)

Best Event DJ of the Year
DJ Black

Best Record Promoter
Sammy Forson – YFM

Video Jockey of the Year
Billi Ocean

Best Female DJ of the Year
DJ Kess

Best Male Radio DJ of the Year
DJ Black (Joy FM)

Best Female Radio DJ of the Year
Jessica (Citi FM)

Discovery DJ of the Year
DJ Vision – YFM

Best Ghana International DJ
DJ Abrantie – Choice FM

Best International DJ
DJ Divalash - South Africa

Life Time Achievement Award
Kwesi Kyei Darkwa (K.K.D) & Tommy Annan Forson

Best Ghana DJ of the Year
DJ Black