James Chike Nwankwo
James Chike Nwankwo (also known as DJ Virall) is a Nigerian Disc jockey.[1][2][3]
James Chike Nwankwo | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | James Chike Nwankwo |
| Born | 24 June 1989
(aged 36) Kaduna State, Nigeria |
| Origin | Orumba North, Anambra State, Nigeria |
| Genres | AfroPop, Hip hop |
| Occupation(s) | Disc jockey |
| Years active | 2001–present |
In 2021, he won the Nigerian Books of Records and was nominated twice at the Nigeria Entertainment Awards.[4][5][6] James played a role in pioneering the Afro igbo genre. He also popularized hip hop music as therapy and became skilled with DJ techniques such as phasing, back spinning, punch phrasing, and breakbeat.[7][2]
Education
James Nwankwo was born in Orumba, Anambra on June 24, 1989. He went to the University of Ibadan, Oyo State, where he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree (hons) in Communication and Language Arts and English Language (2014). He later graduated with a Master’s degree (cum laude) in Foreign Languages and Intercultural Communication from HSE University (2022).[8][3]
Career
DJ Virall at an early age developed a passion for music. He liked electronic dance music (EDM) and hip-hop music the most.[7][5] He is the first Nigerian DJ to perform at the University of Glasgow. [4][2]
In 2013, he popularized Nigerian Afro fusion pop and In 2015, He was one of Nigerian leading DJs at the Coke Studio season 8 project.[8][9]
James is the first Afro DJ to play at the Bookhouse club revolutionary party in honour of Elizabeth Wurtzel.[10] and was listed among Yessiey Africa 100 Most Influential People in 2023.[11][12] He is a member of the ForbesBLK community[13]
Recognition
James is an awardee of Nigerian Books of Records and was nominated for the Nigeria Entertainment Awards twice. In 2023, he was listed among Yessiey Africa 100 Most Influential People.[4][6]
References
- ↑ How Russian Based DJ Virall Is Making Africa Proud (in en-US). guardian.ng. Retrieved 2021-07-06.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Significant Career of DJ Virall contributions to Dance music Scene (in en-US). sunnewsonline.com. Retrieved 2023-10-05.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Inspiring journey of DJ Virall, leading musical ambassador (in en-US). tribuneonlineng.com. Retrieved 2023-07-23.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Disc Jockeys in Africa (in en-US). thenationonlineng.net. Retrieved 2022-05-12.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Epitome of modern entertainment (in en-US). pmnewsnigeria.com. Retrieved 2021-09-08.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Excellence and Achievements (in en-US). dailytimesng.com. Retrieved 2021-06-17.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 How DJ Virall Is Revolutionising DJing, Hip Hop Culture (in en-US). leadership.ng. Retrieved 2022-02-13.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Rise of West Africa’s famous DJ (in en-US). dailytimesng.com. Retrieved 2020-09-04.
- ↑ DJ Virall’s Unforgettable Journey: From Coke Studio Ambassador to Academic Luminary (in en-US). thisdaylive.com. Retrieved 2024-03-17.
- ↑ Disc jockeys individuals shaping the music industry and influencing popular culture (in en-US). dailytimesng.com. Retrieved 2023-02-23.
- ↑ DJ Virall performs at CYON event in Osun (in en-US). vanguardngr.com. Retrieved 2023-07-28.
- ↑ African 100 Most influential (in en-US). guardian.ng. Retrieved 2024-02-29.
- ↑ DJ Virall makes ‘Yessiey Africa 100 Most Influential People’ 2023 (in en-US). theustimes.com. Retrieved 2023-12-17.