Chacha the Veejay: The Deejay with the Golden Finger

Entertainment has really come a long way. Long are the days when the only source of entertainment was KBC radio. We would eagerly wait for radio programs and then huddle around the radio as the presenter  recounted stories.  The radio were powered by Eveready batteries or more cheaper ones like Tiger which would get swollen after few days. Most of us remember placing the batteries on roof tops and collecting them in the evening..They would play for a few hours then we would literary squeeze or beat them to extract all the power inside. Seems like yesterday.

I then would hear of discos in  from my high school classmates who came from Nairobi..They recounted adventures in F2 which, although I was afraid of asking what the initials meant, a friend with whom we shared the lack of knowledge, overhead somewhere that it meant Florida 2000. "They" said that music was mixed by some DJs what I later learnt was a short form for Disc Jockey....Fast forward to 2002 when I managed to go for my first rave and had a one on one experience with a DJ..It was at Club Cascades in Blue Post and I was in Form Three during the school holidays..The manner in which the dread-locked Dj played with the plates (LPs) to produce synchronized music with occasional stops of chik chik sounds. Club Cascades was a haven to many teenagers and that's where I first met Wilson Mwago Wamaitha

Years flew and I later met Wilson..I was in this entertainment spot in Thika with a couple of my work mates. The DJ mixes were off the hook and within minutes everyone had trooped to the dance floor. Fact being, the tracks were on point and we later realized we had danced for hours when some guys started shoving one another. I made a point of asking around about the DJ and that's when I got a rude shock..It was the same Wilson Mwago from back in the day now having the title of Chacha the Veejay a.k.a the DJ with the golden finger. I  learnt from fellow Djs that he was the undisputed Reggae Dj in Thika with a Reggae Night at Klub Porkiez.
Fortunately I tracked him to answer some questions which form this month's interview segment of Sons of Thika who fly our town's flag high.
So Boss Wilson Mwago Wamaitha, where did you get the name Chacha the Veejay
My grandfather who am named after was also called Macharia, so folks from my estate shortened the name to Chacha.
So you never adopted this name when you got into the entertainment industry.
I have had the name since I was a kid, and never had reasons to drop. I felt it was also a good stage name.

Being a Deejay why not call yourself DJ Chacha
DJ is too common and technically there is a difference between the two. Guys just play some mixes using some basic soft wares from the comfort of their homes with no audiences and then call themselves Djs.
Just give me a brief on your journey to becoming Chacha the Veejay
Well, I started from Cascades as an MC. Cascade is the starting point for many artists in Thika the same way F1 and F2 was the starting point for many Nairobi musicians. Thats where I learnt the ropes. Matter of fact I never went to any deejay school for any training. I worked under the wings of DJ Pawe who has given me unlimited support and I owe a lot to him.

 

Later around 2007, I worked at the then famous Thornton as a DJ. I also worked at Tamasha in Hurlingham where I had the opportunity of sharing the decks with DJ Gich Boy. In 2009 I came to Thika where i joined Klub Porkiez. I have since remained at Porkiez although I occasionally travel as a visiting DJ.
Where have these journeys taken you.
I have entertained at Klub Capital in Uganda where the reception was massive. I entertained at the famous Camel Derby which is a big event in the tourism circles held in Maralal.
Wait a minute,you have now started talking of entertaining..
I prefer calling myself an entertainer. An entertainer literally entertains which basically is what you are hired to do. I desist from just giving flat mixes which may drive your clients to boredom in few minutes. Thats why i derive a lot of inspiration from DJ Kaytrixx. I entertain and that is why you will also find me doubling up as an MC. If you fail in that, then you will be remembered as the DJ who drove people out of the club. If you entertain,everyone is happy..the clients,the boss and Deejay unit.

I heard you were at Homeboyz a week ago
Yep. I was there on Sunday and felt great doing my thing on Radio. The experience with Mfalme Nelly was unforgettable and was glad my fans were listening to me. When it comes to Radio, its the ultimate thing entertaining the national audience. I also did a Friday Night show at the former Metro FM with Dj Stano.
Would it be right to say you are more of a Reggae DJ
Veejay Chacha is an all round DJ..The reason why many people associate Chacha with Reggae and Dancehall is because of my Sunday Reggae Nights at Klub Porkiez. Additionally Reggae and Dancehall are very popular in Kenya.

So, can I call you the Deejay with the Golden Finger
Yes you can..I never gave myself the title.
Where did the title come from
It came from my good friend Junior Delgado
Tell me something about Big Yard Entertainment
That is the name of my entertainment unit. As a deejay and an entertainer, unity is very paramount and that is our main failure as Djs. To survive in any position you need to have people you can rely on. I work with MC Junior Delgado and some other upcoming deejays we are grooming.

What are your dreams for Big Yard Entertainment
We are currently planning a Deejay Academy which will offer training to upcoming deejays in Thika and its environs.
How is it working at Porkiez
Porkiez is my home and I love working there. My fellow Djs make the best team and they make working as Dj to be utmost fun. Deejays Chizzy, Yard, Dj Drogba, Luvy Dee and DJ Jojez make a great team. Porkiez has been my home and I owe a lot to the MD Shakie Wainaina who I even worked for before I became a DJ.

 

So what determines a successful deejay
First it has to be the manner in which you relate with the audience through the music you play. Many people leave the comfort of their homes to get entertained and if you fail to deliver on that they will go elsewhere. A successful DJ is all about your outlook, both on the decks and as a person. Contrary to many beliefs being a DJ is all about discipline. Although you are entertaining you are still working..If you blend that with being conversant with what is happening in the industry then you are good.
So Deejaying pays
Yes, it pays and I never regret becoming a DJ. Challenges are there but Deejaying is satisfying especially when you are doing it with a passion.

I rarely hear of a daytime Deejay, how does working at night affect your personal life.
Its rarely a bother because am used to it. It doesn't affect my personal life as long as I get some good sleeping hours the next day. In most cases, you will have breaks after Deejaying sessions and you can as well take a nap.
Its believed that Deejays and entertainers are all players with dozens of girlfriends..
Thats a big misconception. You see, as a DJ you are in the limelight and you are prone to a lot of publicity. You will always receive a lot of attention but basically it narrows down to your personality.
Any special lady out there
Yes, she is very understanding of my work and as well supportive.
So, whats is the next big project
We are planning on a All Stars Djs session where all Djs working under Porkiez will come together for a non stop music mix..Plans are underway and it will be the off the hook.

 

As we finish, give me 3 words that describe Chacha the Veejay
Chacha the Veejay is simple, social and very passionate about his work.

There we have him, Wilson Mwago Wamaitha aka Chacha the Veejay.. He is among the resident Djs at Klub Porkiez and you will get a entertainment treat from him every Thursday during the Bubble Up Thursday, Hype Friday and every Sunday Night.

From Thika Live, its PEACE