Lenny Ndegwa, a DJ/Producer currently based in Nairobi, Kenya embraces music in all its eclectic splendor; as an art and his own personal therapy. Having lived and made his mark in the US for the last decade, he’s played in all the time-zones in the continental US, from the East Coast to the West Coast and his adopted Midwest Region, at least 3 African countries as well quite a few cities here in Kenya.
His wide ranging skills have propelled him to great heights, including sharing the stage with the heaviest hitters in the industry—Nas, Rick Ross, Chrisette Michelle, Vivian Green, Damian Marley, Collie Buddz, Sizzla, Capleton, Members of the Big Ship & Morgan Heritage Families in Reggae as well as local exports such as Nameless, Red San, Jaguar, Jose Chameleone, Stella Mwangi, Wahu, Amani, Jua Kali to name a few.Check out our interview with this rising star as he explains his passion, takes us through his creative process and shares his thoughts on the current DJ scene.
- Tell us a little bit about yourself.
My name is Lenny Ndegwa. Born and raised in Nairobi to a family of 6; 4 siblings & 2 loving parents. I’m an avid arts & sports fanatic and science enthusiast.
- How did you get into DJing and when did you start? What or who were your early passions & influences?
I had always been interested in music from childhood and deejaying roused my curiosity especially after having seen the likes of DJ Pinye & Adrian when attending events such as the air shows at Wilson, Concours D’Elegance & going to the Splash Waterworld as a young teenager.
I got into serious deejaying around 2009. I had been playing small parties and gigs for myself and friends since 2007 as a hobby, while attending college in the States at a small town in the Midwest. A good friend of mine who was aware of my keen passion for music informed me he had an uncle who had left him some old turntables that he could part with, for a small fee. It was an offer I couldn’t turn down, and the rest I guess is history.
- What is your process as you prepare (for) a set?
My preparation for sets or events only involve knowing or identifying my crowd. In some cases I won’t find out until I’m on stage (what they’re vibing to) but I spend a lot of my time working on my music collection and mixing so it seems as though preparation was involved ha!
- How extensive is your music library?
Given that I’ve played music for as many different types and diverse people as possible, I can argue that I have almost all types & genres of music covered. Playing music in mainstream clubs and events in the US requires a lot of versatility & knowledge of different types of music. But I would add that as much as the job requires it, I have my own insatiable quest for collecting and having the most complete music library for my own enjoyment & fulfillment.
- What do you try to communicate to the audience through your vibe?
A few things I try to make it an experience, a journey through time musically speaking but the vibe is always funky and cool!
- What’s the best part of being a DJ for you?
The satisfaction that comes with helping people create memories out of events or nights out, friendships, relationships and helping them take their minds off of whatever is happening in their lives albeit even if for a couple of hours or so.
- Is it important for a DJ to keep the crowd happy? What is the DJing priority - giving the crowd what it wants OR treating them to something new?
Absolutely! A DJ is there to entertain, keeping the crowd happy is a huge part of that. I would like to add that a good DJ ultimately is one who ‘edutains’. It’s vital that you strike a balance between educating and cultivating the crowd’s ears, that is anything from introducing new music, mixing and matching music in crazy experimental ways to simply giving them what they want.
- How do you handle song requests that are totally different/clashing to your genre? E.g you’re deep in an 80’s mix and someone requests a Nigerian track?
I usually just firmly but politely point out the fact that I’m mixing music, and not ‘jukeboxing’ or ‘iTunes’ing’ it and if it’s not that particular genres night, I point that out as well. I’m used to it by now, a huge part of DJ’n is PR so you have to know how to handle the clientele respectfully, accommodate as much as possible but not to the point of messing up what the program or flow is.
- What night out has been the most memorable for you as a DJ?
I have so many but N.Y.E in Zanzibar last year was exceptionally memorable, 4000 people from all parts of the world dancing and vibing to my selections and commands on the mic. Dope experience 
- Where would you love to perform next?
Ultimately the goal is to perform on the biggest stages and arenas out there, to start off, the stadiums that we have here, headline some events there and outside the Coachellas, Tomorrowlands etc
- What is one mistake you see a lot of up & coming DJ’s making? Conversely, what do you admire about the current scene?
Trying to fit in is the biggest mistake I see, a lot of of up comers want to be the next this big name person or that one.
Conversely I have to say we have the best DJ’s in Africa here in Kenya, consummate professionals who have figured out how to become huge brands and have been able to branch out into other industries from this platform.
- What is something that bugs you about the current DJ scene (either internationally or locally or both?)
A focused shift on removing the art of DJing i.e knowledge and mastery of both the music and equipment to just curation of music. That is guys can just compile a list of cool songs on a playlist and attach the prefix DJ to their chosen name and voila!
- What, in your opinion, sets you apart from the competition?
I think I have a lot more in my arsenal as far as my playlist as well as the obvious advantage of having played for very wide audiences. I’m also a big risk taker and that by itself makes for a sizable difference.
- Who would you love to DJ/collaborate with?
I have played with a lot of my peers and talent on stages in the US and here in Kenya already but I would love to work more with the ‘legends’ or the Old School DJs.
- What is one track that never gets old for you no matter how many times you hear/play it?
That’s a tough one, so allow me to quote a few; Fantasy - Earth, Wind & Fire, 2Pac - Keep Ya Head Up, Donaeo - Party Hard … and one of the best songs ever written, Careless Whisper
- If you could eternally be stuck in one era/decade/year of music, which would it be?
Definitely the 90’s .. I’m an 80’s baby so to me that was the best era in music!
- What is one (sub)genre you think doesn’t get the attention it deserves?
I’d go with dance-hall or trap .. they’re both (sub) genres of huge, lifetime defining sound in reggae & hip-hop that most people dismiss for flash of the moment or passing sounds but in my opinion contain some great content and once in a generation type artists.
- If you had the power to abolish one musical genre for all eternity which would it be?
Ha ha .. whatever Enya sings!
- Which two DJs do you feel are slept on/would you recommend to our readers?
Locally I’d have to go with Andre from Capital, speaking from the times I’ve heard him play I think he should be one of the most sought after acts in the country. I would then add myself on there too since I’m quite nice but new on the scene!
Connect with Lenny on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram or listen to his dope mixes on Mixcrate, SoundCloud and on his website.
For a weekly blend of the best in funky, hip hop & classic soul vibes make sure you attend Any Given Thursday with Mix Master Lenny at The Alchemist Bar. You can also catch him at The Second Edition of Alchemist Boombox on the 5th of August, 2016.
