DJ Abass, an entertainer with a difference
Stories By David Ajiboye - updated: Friday 22-08-2008
DJ Abass (2nd from right), Tony Tetuila
(2nd from left) and two others at a
function in London.Abayomi Abass Tijani popularly
known as DJ Abass, was born in
London and returned to Nigeria in the 70s where he had his primary, secondary and university education. A graduate of political science and a trained journalist, his passion for music and disc jockeying started in his secondary school days where he played at most student-organised social functions.
He was campus DJ during his university days where he helped form a dance/entertainment group, Le Griffe, and organised a lot of campus social events from parties to pageants.
On completion of his degree program, DJ Abass worked as an entertainment and political writer with the leading Nigerian newspaper, The Guardian. His stint with The Guardian brought him in close contact with top deejays, promoters and media personalities in Nigeria.
He returned to London in the 90s where disc jockeying became his full time vocation. He started out playing in little venues and private functions and then moved into the club scene. He gradually moved into promotions and has organised some of the most memorable events on black entertainment scene in the UK in the last decade. His company, DJA MUSIC, operates as an entertainment consultancy firm that caters for all facets of entertainment from artiste management, nightclub management, disc jockey training, media networking and events planning.
In 2003, DJ Abass became the first African to present a music program on British television with the introduction of Intro, the first live African music program in Europe. The program was also the first in-house produced programme on BEN TV. Intro Live now goes out on OBE TV in the UK.0
An avid Arsenal FC fan and a true master of 'The Mix', DJ Abass is renowned for his nightclub mix sessions on CD which air on radio stations in the UK and in Nigeria. He plays music across a wide range of genres from contemporary R &B, hip-hop, soul, soca, calypso, ragga, to jazz, fusion and all forms of African music.
In 2006, DJ Abass picked up 2 awards notably 'Entertainment Journalist of the year' at The Nigeria Music Awards (NMA) and 'Outstanding Entertainment Personality of the year' at The AEPEG Awards UK.
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