60 Seconds with Sheel Dread

UP magazine caught up with Sheel Dread, winner of Best DJ in the magazine’s Best of Nairobi issue, for a one-minute interview. Sheel is not only a DJ but also a producer, musician and graphic designer.

Sheel, who hopes to brighten the future of East Africa’s reggae music scene, has already released an E.P. Nomads and has a number of mixes and mash ups on Mixcloud.

Q: Thank you for granting us this interview… how did you start DJing?

I got into DJing a while back, around 2004. Basically I was just messing around on my computer, found out programs like virtual DJ and I enjoyed it and decided to take it a bit seriously. But I played the guitar before I decided to move into DJing.

Q: Some people call you Sheel Dread and others Dread Steppa, which is it and where did the name(s) come from?

Well, my stage name or my performance name is Dread Steppa while my real name is Sheel. The name came from Reggae artists that I like, who have stage names, I thought I should get myself a name as well and Dread Steppa fit the bill. Steppers is a form of reggae which I play a lot that’s why it’s part of the name.

Q: What would you say is the best part of life as a DJ?

Being able to get unreleased tunes from big artists, I guess. Songs that nobody else has and knowing that you have been privileged with those songs.

Q: Which show has been your best so far?

Umm I would have to say Kilifi New Year’s of 2014(2013-2014), that was with KenyaNights.

Q: Whom would you love to DJ with?

Cian Finn, which I actually got to do. Cian Finn’s an Irish reggae singer, he was here for last year’s New Year’s eve(2014-2015).