DJ Abass (born Abass Abayomi Tijani, 9 January 1968) is a media & entertainment consultant, broadcaster, DJ and
compere based in the United Kingdom. He is the CEO of the entertainment and media management outfit, DJAMEDIA. He is also well known in the Nigerian and African community in the United Kingdom for presenting and co-producing the television show Intro and the Big Nigerian Independence Intro Jam series.
Background
DJ Abass was born in London to Kolawole Rasak Tijani and Deborah Kojusola Tijani, a nurse and midwife. He then moved to Nigeria with his younger brother where he was educated at Mate Nursery and Primary School, Lagos, Baptist Academy, Obanikoro,
Lagos
Lagos (Nigerian English: ; ) is the largest city in Nigeria and the List of cities in Africa by population, second most populous city in Africa, with a population of 15.4 million as of 2015 within the city proper. Lagos was the national ca ...
and later
Baptist High School
Baptist High School, often abbreviated as BHS, is a prominent Single-sex education, all-boys secondary school in Nigeria. The school is located in the Borokiri neighbourhood of Port Harcourt, Rivers State and was founded in the late 1940s.
BHS w ...
Port-Harcourt. He then went on to the University of Ado-Ekiti (formerly Ondo State University, now
Adekunle Ajasin University
Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA) is a state government owned and operated Nigerian university. The university is located in Akungba Akoko, Ondo State, Nigeria.
History
Adekunle Ajasin University was first established as Oba ...
) where he obtained a degree in Political Science. DJ Abass is the first of four children and also has two older half brothers.
Early career
In 2000, DJ Abass was a founding member of the Nigerian DJs Association UK chapter and helped organise a series of concerts showcasing the very best of Nigerian DJs in the UK.
In 2002, moved into artiste management when he met trio of Soji Adebayo, Michael Oloyede and Michael Enebeli (a.k.a.
Don Jazzy
Michael Collins Ajereh (born 26 November 1982), known professionally as Don Jazzy, is a Nigerian record producer. He is the founder and the CEO of Mavin Records. Don Jazzy was co-owner of the now-defunct Mo' Hits Records record label with D'b ...
) performing as Solek Crew at a regular weekly night spot. He subsequently started to informally manage the group which went on to be one of the hottest indigenous Nigerian acts in the UK. The band featured as headline act at many events notably The BIG Nigerian Independence Intro Jam and The Nigerian Corner at the
Notting Hill Carnival
The Notting Hill Carnival is an annual Caribbean festival event that has taken place in London since 1966 . DJ Abass also met and mentored the artiste KAS in this period and took him along on a musical trip to Nigeria in 2006.
Television
In 2003, DJ Abass presented and co-produced a live music show on television on the hit music program ''Intro Live with Dj Abass''. The program exclusively showcased Nigerian and African music acts through live interviews and music video premieres. Intro Live was a two-hour TV show and the brainchild of his good friend
Ayo Shonaiya
Ayo Shonaiya is a filmmaker and lawyer, he was also a music talent agent who has managed many of Nigeria's artists. The list include Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde Marshall (K1 De Ultimate), pop star D'banj, music producer Don Jazzy and rapper Eldee ...
. It aired on Ben TV (and later OBE TV) and was seen all over Europe and in some parts of North Africa. Guests on the show include stars like
King Sunny Adé
Chief Sunday Adeniyi Adegeye (born 22 September 1946), known professionally as King Sunny Adé, is a Nigerian jùjú singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He is regarded as one of the first African pop musicians to gain international ...
,
Chaka Demus & Pliers
Chaka Demus & Pliers are a Jamaican reggae duo made up of deejay Chaka Demus (born John Taylor) and singer Pliers (born Everton Bonner), known for their hits " Tease Me" and " Murder She Wrote". As a duo, they enjoyed more commercial success w ...
,
D'banj
Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo (born 9 June 1980), better known by his stage name D'banj, is a Nigerian singer and rapper and the founder of Mo' Hits Records with producer Don Jazzy. He has won several music awards, including the awards for ''Best Af ...
,
Nneka,
Eldee,
2Face Idibia,
P-Square
P-Square is a Nigerian music duo consisting of the twin brothers Peter Okoye and Paul Okoye. They produced and released their albums through Square Records (now Square Root Entertainment)
In December 2011, they signed a record deal with Akon's ...
, JJC,
Erykah Badu
Erica Abi Wright (born February 26, 1971), known professionally as Erykah Badu (), is an American singer-songwriter, record producer and actress. Influenced by rhythm and blues, R&B, Soul music, soul, and hip hop, Badu rose to prominence in the ...
,
George Clinton,
Brenda Fassie
Brenda Nokuzola Fassie (3 November 1964 – 9 May 2004) was a South African singer, songwriter, dancer and activist. Affectionately called MaBrrr by her fans, she is also known as the "Queen of African Pop", the "Madonna of The Townships" or si ...
,
Ying Yang Twins
The Ying Yang Twins are an American hip hop duo consisting of Kaine (born Eric Jackson on December 16, 1978) and D-Roc (born Deongelo/D'Angelo Holmes on February 13, 1979). They are not twin brothers. They did the windows to the walls song. The ...
,
Wasiu Ayinde Marshall
K1 De Ultimate (born Wasiu Omogbolahan Olasunkanmi Adewale Ayinde Marshal , 3 March 1957), is a Nigerian Fuji musician. He popularized a brand of the fuji genre based on the work of the fuji creator Ayinde Barrister known as Talazo fuji that a ...
, Lady Saw,
Sir Shina Peters
Sir Shina Peters (born 30 May 1958) is a Nigerian Jùjú musician.
Life
Born Oluwashina Akanbi Peters in Ogun State, Peters' career in music began at a young age when he played with friends under the handle Olushina and His Twelve Fantastic Bro ...
, Werason,
Ebenezer Obey
Ebenezer Remilekun Aremu Olasupo Obey-Fabiyi (born 3 April 1942), known professionally as Ebenezer Obey, is a Nigerian jùjú musician.
Early life
Obey was born on 3 April 1942 to an Egba–Yoruba ethnic background family. Obey, whose real ...
, and many more.
![DJA with Chris Tucker](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/41/DJA_with_Chris_Tucker.jpg)
Intro the TV show then had successful spin-offs in the Intro concert series which included The BIG Nigerian Independence Intro Jam, The Intro Summer Jam and The Intro Christmas Jam. The Nigerian pop star
D'banj
Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo (born 9 June 1980), better known by his stage name D'banj, is a Nigerian singer and rapper and the founder of Mo' Hits Records with producer Don Jazzy. He has won several music awards, including the awards for ''Best Af ...
's debut solo performance was at the 2004 edition of the BIG Independence Intro Jam and days after was guest in his first ever televised interview on ''Intro with DJ Abass''.
Media and entertainment consultancy
DJ Abass is the CEO of DJAMEDIA. This outfit is a dedicated media and entertainment consultancy firm specialising in first class entertainment events management and full media campaigns to targeted demographics within the Nigerian and African communities in the UK.
![DJA with King Sunny Ade](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ed/DJA_with_King_Sunny_Ade.jpg)
. It has been responsible for some of the biggest and most prestigious entertainment events within the African social network and notable among these are first class
Nollywood
Nollywood is a sobriquet that originally referred to the Nigerian film industry. The origin of the term dates back to the early 2000s, traced to an article in ''The New York Times''. Due to the history of evolving meanings and contexts, there ...
movie premieres. DJAMEDIA is the leading organiser of Nigerian and Nollywood movie premieres in the United Kingdom. Notable among such premieres it has produced and co-produced are ''
Fifty
50 (fifty) is the natural number following 49 and preceding 51.
In mathematics
Fifty is the smallest number that is the sum of two non-zero square numbers in two distinct ways: 50 = 12 + 72 = 52 + 52. It is also the sum of three squares, 50 = 32 ...
'', ''When Love Happens'', ''The First Lady'', ''
The Figurine
''The Figurine: Araromire'' is a 2009 Nigerian supernatural suspense thriller film written by Kemi Adesoye, produced and directed by Kunle Afolayan, who also stars in the film as one of the main protagonists. It also stars Ramsey Nouah and Omoni ...
'', ''The Mirror Boy'' (
Mirror Boy
''The Mirror Boy'' is a 2011 Nigerian fantasy adventure drama film written and directed by Obi Emelonye, produced by Patrick Campbell and starring Genevieve Nnaji, Osita Iheme and Edward Kagutuzi. The film which was shot in England and the Gamb ...
), ''
Anchor Baby
Anchor baby is a term (regarded by some as a pejorative) used to refer to a child born to a non-citizen mother in a country that has birthright citizenship which will therefore help the mother and other family members gain legal residency. In the ...
'', ''Bursting Out'', ''Family on Fire'', and ''Kiss & Tell''. Other DJAMEDIA projects include football matches in the UK involving the
Super Eagles, concerts, comedy shows (Crack Ya Ribs UK) and regular night club events.
Awards
*Smade Recognition Award 2016 – 'Outstanding Contribution to UK Afrobeats'
*Afrobeats Music Awards 2015 – 'Outstanding contribution to Afrobeats'
*African Film Awards 2014 – 'Entertainment Promoter of the Year'
*Nelawards Awards 2014 – 'Leadership & Mentoring in the Entertainment Industry'
*Beffta Awards 2011 – 'Entertainment Icon of the Year'
*The Diamond Special Recognition Awards UK 2011 – "Entertainment Personality of the Year'
*Africa Music Awards 2008- 'Club DJ of the Year'
![Dj Abass with Nigerian Music Award](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6e/Dj_Abass_with_Nigerian_Music_Award.jpg)
*Nigerian Music Awards UK 2006 – 'Entertainment Journalist of the Year'
*AEPEG Awards 2006 – 'Outstanding Entertainment Personality of the Year'
*Academy of Creative Arts in Nigeria (ACAN) 2006 – Inducted as Honorary Member
Other projects
*UK Nollywood Movie Premieres Organiser
*Wazobia Lounge at Africa Olympics Village London, 2012. Media and Entertainment co-ordinator.
*Super Eagles vs Black Stars of Ghana International Friendly in London October 2011. Media Consultant.
*Kanu Heart Foundation UK Charity Gala 2006. Official DJ
*Intro Independence Tou', Napoli Italy, London UK and Dublin Ireland 2005. Co-Producer.
*Intro Afro-Hip Hop Jam, Atlanta US 2005. Official DJ
*Big Nigerian Independence Intro Jam & Intro Summer Jam series, London UK 2003 – 2005. Co-Producer with Ayo Shonaiya.
*Nigeria Corner Notting Hill Carnival
London UK 1986–Present. Founding participant of the famous Nigerian Corner at the annual
Notting Hill Carnival
The Notting Hill Carnival is an annual Caribbean festival event that has taken place in London since 1966 in London. Co-organiser and Official DJ from 1997 at the Cambridge Gardens site (except for 2007 & 2008 when site was closed). Dj Abass is part of the team that resurrected the Nigeria Corner at the new site on Adela Road from 2009 till date.
Personal life
DJ Abass is married to Adenike and has two children – Toby and Tomi. He is a fan of
Arsenal F.C., a team his father also supported.
See also
*
List of Nigerian DJs
List of Nigerian DJs
* DJ Abass
* DJ Bally
* DJ Big N
* DJ Caise
* DJ Cuppy
* DJ Enimoney
* DJ KayWise
* DJ Exclusive
* DJ Jimmy Jatt
* DJ Neptune
* DJ Spinall
Oluseye Desmond Sodamola, professionally known as Spinall (styize as SPINALL; ...
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Abass, DJ
1968 births
Living people
DJs from London
Adekunle Ajasin University alumni
British emigrants to Nigeria