Popular Nigerian-American disc jockey and musician DJ Tunez has shared the story of how his long-standing partnership with global Afrobeats superstar Wizkid began.
Speaking in a recent interview with BBC 1Xtra, DJ Tunez revealed that his journey to becoming Wizkid’s official DJ was rooted in his early efforts to promote African music within the diaspora community in the United States.
According to him, before his breakthrough in Nigeria, he had already carved out a space for himself in the US by hosting Afrocentric events that resonated strongly with Africans abroad.
“I was doing shows, curating vibes for the African diaspora the parties were big, the energy was crazy,” he said. “That was how the name DJ Tunez started spreading.”
But as his brand began to grow, Tunez felt a strong urge to deepen his connection with the Nigerian music scene, particularly with homegrown fans. It was during one of his December visits to Nigeria that destiny came calling.
“I had already messaged Wizkid before, and we’d exchanged a few words online,” he recounted. “Then, one day in Lagos, he called me to come meet him.”
At that meeting, the Grammy-winning star made an offer that would change Tunez’s life.
“He said, ‘I need you to be my DJ. We are going to take over the world,’” Tunez revealed.
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That statement would mark the beginning of an 8-year partnership that has seen DJ Tunez travel the world with one of Africa’s biggest music exports.
From the U.S. to Europe and beyond, Tunez has played a pivotal role in Wizkid’s global journey, including his historic three-night sold-out concert at London’s iconic O2 Arena.
In addition to being Wizkid’s trusted right-hand man on stage, DJ Tunez is signed to the Starboy imprint, through which he also releases his music in collaboration with Sony Music’s RCA.
As a recording artist, he has worked with several top names in the industry, consistently delivering infectious records. His 2024 hit, Apala Disco, which fused traditional Yoruba rhythms with dance music, went viral and further showcased his range as a creative force.
Recently, DJ Tunez also collaborated with fast-rising act Fola on a joint project that has been well-received across streaming platforms.
Still, it is his role as Wizkid’s DJ that defines his public persona, a role he embraces with passion and pride. Tunez has frequently taken to social media to shower praise on the Essence crooner, often referring to him as “Big Wiz” and sharing heartfelt posts about their journey together.
From diaspora dancefloors to sold-out arenas, DJ Tunez continues to embody the global spirit of Afrobeats and at the heart of it all is a friendship and vision that started with a simple but powerful line: “We are going to take over the world.”