Lagos is the city that never sleeps. At the core of that insomnia is a fervent desire to party, be that for the purpose of escaping problems or celebrating wins. Disc jockeys are major facilitators of the boisterous party culture, and a certain DJ, Titanium, is rapidly rising to the cream of a very talented crop. You only need to hear him spin the wheels during a live set or jam his party mixes once to get hooked on this man who puts the art in the party.
Adetuje Olayinka Samuel is a Lagosian through and through, having been born and bred in the commercial capital. Hence, it’s no surprise that he caught the virus that provokes a love for upbeat, vibrant Afrobeat music as most people in this city seem to. Inspired by the likes of DJ Consequence, DJ Puffy, and David Guetta – whose hit song with Sia inspired DJ Titanium’s stage name – he entered the world of deejaying in 2018. It didn’t take long for him to become a hit among partygoers. Recognizing his immense potential, The Plug snapped up DJ Titanium under a management contract, fuelling his transcendence from local force to international star.
The Mainland Block Party is arguably the biggest recurring fiesta on this side of the Atlantic right now. DJ Titanium is the resident headlining DJ for this exciting Afrobeats concert, and he has contributed to its success, one electrifying set after the other. Titanium has also taken his talents to other iterations of the event outside of the mainland, such as the Premier Block Party, Capital Block Party, and even the Gold Block Party in Ghana. The demand for his skills is high, so notable brands like Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff, and Guinness have recruited DJ Titanium for Afrobeats events nationwide.
The works of DJ Titanium’s dexterous hands have also taken him beyond the shores of Nigeria to numerous cities in the motherland while securing him mouthwatering gigs with the genre’s best acts. For example, he has played live sets at concerts for Mayorkun and Davido. DJ Titanium has notably toured with two of Afrobeat’s brightest stars, Oxlade and CKay, and he has performed alongside them in Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Mauritius, Ethiopia, and Sierra Leone. At every stop, he has brought the consistent buzz of infectious energy, elevating every show he plays at with practiced ease and giving attendants experiences that seldom fade from their memories.
The secret to his success comes from his innate understanding of what a party needs to be lit. He understands that partygoers come to shows in search of the euphoria. Titanium addresses that need by delivering high-octane sets comprising music for them to turn up and sing along to. While he specializes in Afrobeats music, Titanium is not opposed to incorporating foreign tracks into his sets and mixes. His transitions are so seamless he could move the audience from American classics like Chris Brown’s “Yeah 3X” to current Afrobeats bangers like Odudumodublvck’s “DECLAN RICE” without missing a beat.
DJ Titanium has enjoyed incredible wins so far, and it can only get better for the turntable maestro. His strong connection to the Gen Z audience through his performances and strong social media presence will likely boost his growing popularity further. He will certainly need the backing of that indefatigable and indomitable generation as he continues into the next phase of his career. With the global spotlight now fixed on Africa and Nigeria in particular, we have seen our artists, producers, and even music video directors enjoy Western validation and remuneration. Could DJs be next? That’s a question for another day, but there’s no doubt that DJ Titanium will be one of the Nigerian DJs at the forefront when that day comes.
