“Director of vibes” – as some may attribute – DJ Tunez, has used his skill set to artistically captivate a wide array of people around the world.
In the past year alone, the Nigerian disc jockey from Brooklyn, N.Y. has swiftly made major headway in the entertainment industry doing what he loves to do best, cultivate a cultural vibe.
“This experience has been very amazing, life changing and very inspiring. Just to go to different countries, states, environments and seeing different people and cultures loving the vibes and loving the music has been amazing,” Tunez proclaims.
Canada’s been his favorite stop so far. “Every city I’ve went to the energy was so strong for the afrobeat movement. Just to see the love out there be so strong, it felt good to be a part of.”
Whether he is bringing together a crowd of 3,000 people to celebrate in style at his annual Black Friday event “Black Out”, or providing guests with a cultural fusion at his Summer opener “Afro Carnival”, DJ Tunez, along with his team The BT Group, has successfully tailored many unforgettable experiences.
“Expect intimate feelings, good vibrations and music that hits the heart when attending a DJ Tunez event,” he states about what patrons should anticipate when he’s in town. “An experience that is just creating a moment in life.
There’s a spiritual vibe that I try to pass any time I play,” he describes. “The spiritual vibe is one love, one blood, showing that music has no language and once people feel it, there is no pain. That’s the beautiful thing about music.”
On his overlying message of One Africa, Tunez expresses, “Well you know life started in Africa, so it represents unity. There’s a lot of divide and conquer in our world today and it creates the wrong energy when we all need to be together.”
Adding another layer to his extensive catalogue, Tunez recently made a debut into the art world, introducing a new event series titled Afro Love – curated to highlight the rich art and music culture that’s bubbling in New York City and around the world. The event intertwines wine, as well as music and art from both solidified and up and coming creatives, catering perfectly to the city’s after work scene.
“The Afro Love series is here to create another intimate vibe, more face to face with the people,” he says. “Everyone in the room is meeting and connecting, which doesn’t always happen at a big party.”
Almost two years post release, the streets still shout the lyrics to his hit single “Iskaba!” featuring Nigerian vocalist Wande Coal.
“I am happy that it is getting to more ears, that means the life of the track is going to live very, very long,” says Tunez.
In reference to the song which continues to be a heavily popular Afrobeats track Tunez expresses, “I knew if the world could hear Iskaba, it would get to cure a lot of the negativity and bad vibes going on because I know once people hear that song, they just want to love and dance.”
And from the looks of the viral videos on social media platforms, his outlook is spot on.
In the recent months, Tunez has made some compelling musical connections. Teaming up with British-Ghanaian super producer Juls, he was featured on the cultural hit “Oshey.”
Shortly after, the exhilarating Dancehall “World Vibes Riddim” was released by notable Jamaican producer TJ Records with co production from DJ Tunez and rising producer OB. Legendary artists like Vybz Kartel, Shaggy and Wayne Wonder shared their vocals on the riddim.
“With the World Vibes Riddim, we have Vybz Kartel on it, that was really legendary for me just to work with him and how big he is you know…that’s the world boss!”
Tunez legendary mindset is on display when mentioning Michael Jackson and Biggie Smalls as collaborators he’d hope to work with.
Steadily on the go, Tunez recently wrapped up an eventful trip in the golden state of California. The highlight of the trip was undeniably his link up with Sudanese born, Los Angeles Lakers small forward Luol Deng, for their “Starboy Cookout”. The two connected at a Maleek Berry show in the UK where Deng expressed his appreciation for Tunez music and sharing the one love ideology. Tunez hints the two have some things in the works.
Following the success of their first single “Get Up”, DJ Tunez & Flash are ready to get another wave going.
On Friday, June 15th Tunez and the up and coming Nigerian vocalist will serve up a brand new Afropop sensation titled “Too Much” dedicated to the love, beauty, and style of ladies across the globe.
“This is my most exciting release,” Tunez states. “I have been putting some hype on it for a long time now and I am just ready to finally give it to the people, ready to finally just shoot it out there.”
Produced by Guiltybeatz, the release of “Too Much” will be just in time for the start of the summer, as the synth heavy track has what Tunez describes as a very “warm summertime” feel to it.
“Just to get people on the dance floor, and have a good time, spread love through the music, that is what we are concentrated on,” he exclaims.
“This song definitely has a lot of good vibes and positive energy, along with a lot of African influences,” he mentions while talking about the single.
Tunez exclusively adds that “Too Much” concludes with an invigorating instrumental.
“I just wanted to be different. A lot of catalogs that I listen to from South Africa or even Fela Kuti, tracks back then were about 16 minutes long, including a variety of solos to different instruments within the beat,” DJ Tunez shares. “I want people to feel the vibe, even without the vocals just to keep it going basically, giving it another heartbeat.
Introduced to each other by super producer Sarz, Tunez promises that there will be more musical collaborations coming from him and Flash. “This is a forever ting! I plan to make many records with Flash, I feel like he’s definitely a bright star from the new school, new generation and this new era.”
Tunez recently released another scintillating afro fusion track called “Stamina” with Nigerian crooner Korede Bello, Jamaican reggae artist Gyptian and Nigerian producer Young D . “It was good to collaborate with different people from different areas and genres,” he states while speaking on the link up. “I’m happy we’re able to share it with the world. Melanin united, just bringing the people together”
So what’s next in store for DJ Tunez?
“Expect more music, more music, more music, more global vibes, taking Africa to the world, putting Africa on top,” he expresses. “I am going to make sure that happens, IN TUNEZ WE TRUST.”