For our first TTC LDN interview, we sat down with the effortlessly cool and multi-faceted DJ VvadaA. VvadaA is not only an international DJ, known for her seamless transitions, but she is also a dual-qualified lawyer. Her charm, honesty and sense of humour made for an entertaining deep dive into the highs and lows of being a Nigerian creative in London.
If your life had a theme song, what would it be?
There’s just way too much out there. How can I choose a theme song?
I like Amapiano songs; they start slow and then pick up… That would be the theme of my life at the moment. But also, obviously, life has ups and downs. There are moments where a gospel song is the theme. There are moments where it’s a rap song. When I was getting married, it was “International Playa’s Anthem”. I love that song so much…So obviously, it changes.
What’s your favourite thing about growing up in Nigeria?
The lessons that I learned about the importance of community. Seeing how my parents show up for their friends and their family, and also just feeling like you belong wherever you are. There’s a strong sense of knowing who you are and how you fit in and I appreciate that.
And even taking a step further into my DJ career, it helped me because it's a smaller circle [in Lagos] and it's easier to get booked through word of mouth.
DJs set the tone and energy at events, effortlessly making it seem easy. Here, VvadaA provides us with some insights into the world of being a DJ.
In your own words, how would you describe what being an international DJ is like?
It's actually crazy to think about it; I feel very blessed.
I think it’s very intense because, depending on the type of parties you do, you're catering to a lot of music tastes. You need to know what to play, how to play it, how to mix it… Once you play new music, you need to know how to mix those songs with the old stuff that you have. It's a conceptual journey of being up to date with music, being up to date with your skills in terms of mixing, staying in touch with the crowd and watching how they react when a song plays and how it's received.
In summary, it's like being very present and intentional about the music and how you present it to the crowd.
Tell us about your journey as a DJ.
I had been wanting to do this since I was in Year 9 but started learning when I met some DJs at NYSC Camp in 2016.
Shout out to my older brother! His blood was hot, and he booked me for a Halloween house party gig. I was literally in tears, begging him for a week to cancel the gig because I was not ready—didn’t even have the equipment to call my own. I tend to wait until everything is perfect to do things, which is not a good thing because that’s not how life works.
Eventually, I did so well at the party and got bookings from that. My brothers and my (now) husband became my ‘managers’, I call them my ‘Pusha T-eam’, I am forever grateful for them.
Who inspires you the most?
There are so many talented DJs around the world. I cannot mention them all, but from Calvin Harris, to Juls to Kaytranada to TxC and Uncle Waffles. I also like how diverse Cuppy's sets are, and Mercedes as well. DJ Joey was very helpful in my DJ career, especially in Lagos where I started, and DJ Honeeay too gave me her decks in 2017 before I started DJ’ing officially and just said, 'Go and practice'.
Advice for aspiring DJs
If you aspire to perspire…I’m joking.
Find a community. Most of the gigs I’ve gotten in England are from referrals. For example, if I hadn’t reached out to DJ Baj, maybe I wouldn’t have gotten one (or more) of the gigs that I have played at that. He was very helpful in helping me find my footing in the London market.
Lean into your community a little bit more and connect with any DJs that you know. That would be a good way to put yourself out there...I’m still learning that.
For many Nigerians growing up in Nigeria, there is an understanding set by society that certain careers were deemed worthy of pursuing i.e. medicine or law. After a humbling experience studying A-level chemistry, VvadaA decided to follow in the footsteps of her older brother, mother and late grandfather and became a lawyer.
You're practising as a "dual qualified" lawyer, what does that mean?
Let me break it down for you, girl.
I’m qualified to practise in Nigeria, and I am also qualified here [England], so I can practise in both countries. I’m now freelancing with two companies—one is a tech startup, and one is a media company—so I do lots of drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts.
Now you have a bit more flexibility, how do you manage to balance both?
It’s just making time for it. But this year has been great in terms of how much time I’ve had to DJ. When I had a full-time busy job, DJing was number two. It was nice to do, but I didn’t have as much capacity to do it.
DJing is not just the hours that you’re booked to perform—the work starts before; practising, and getting new stuff. If I had a gig this weekend, for instance, I would be adding music at this point and mixing. It’s more than whatever hours you’re booked. So, long hours on both sides can be tricky.
At TTC LDN, the community is everything. For creatives, especially those who are establishing their careers away from their home countries, it can make or break our ability to thrive. We ended our conversation with VvadaA talking about what community means to her.
What role has community played in your life?
Community is very important when you’re a DJ; you can’t do everything.
In my early days as a DJ, the community in Nigeria played a huge difference in my trajectory and how comfortable I was DJing. From the lovely DJs who taught me or loaned me their decks to practise, to the DJs that helped me with my questions. And even here in [England] as well! Throughout my career, many DJs have supported me and I’m grateful to also be a part of a community that I can contribute to. Look, I’m not just a receiver; I give.
What does TTC LDN mean to you?
It’s just a great initiative. It means what I would like from the African community as well: more togetherness, more highlighting of the things that we can do to remind us of home or remind us that we’ll be okay.
TTC LDN means community—a community for creatives and people who enjoy art and different expressions of art and fun.
Stay connected with VvadaA on Instagram, TikTok, Soundcloud and Apple Music.
Interview by: Tomisin Amsata-Awani
Written by: Melody Adebisi
Absolutely fantastic DJ!