DJ Moustey, real names Mustapha S. Kasule, believes that what sets a good wedding DJ apart is their art to make a wedding event memorable. He’ll know how to get the guests on the dance floor and keep the party interesting. From experience, he should also possess the creativity to help a couple choose a playlist without losing themselves in the process. This is why having a good DJ at your wedding has become some sort of fixture. And, Moustey shall always come up as the best option.
However, Kasule didn’t just develop this masterfulness overnight. He started out in his highschool days at Kibuli Secondary School, dancing to and miming songs his peers liked. “I began engaging large crowds at such an early stage,” he remembers.
In this chat, he shares his journey to the top, and what weddings will look like post-covid19.
What drew you into this business of deejaying?
I’ve always been an outgoing person, the one everyone looks to for entertainment. I started way back in high school as an Assistant Entertainment prefect, a role that offered me numerous opportunities to dance on stage and mime a lot of the popular songs back then. Then in my second year at campus my brother Kasule bought for me a sound system to help me pay my tuition. At that point, I had no option but to learn how to deejay in order to see myself through school. This was 2010 I guess. Fortunately, I was already very passionate. So it came naturally.
At what point did you carve your niche as a wedding DJ?
Steve jean of Fenon records gave me the direction into weddings and events. This was in 2014. After playing at some of kampala night spots, I felt the pay wasn’t enough for me since I was a young parent of one then. I had to think of smarter ways of making money to sustain my family. So I joined Fenon as a graphics designer straight from University. Little did I know that this would be my turning point. Steve Jean kept encouraging me to do more weddings than club gigs and gave me great insights on how to up my game. He also bought me my first music hard drive and beats by dre head phones. He even went ahead to push me to save for a Mac book pro laptop.
Take us through your preparation process as you get ready for a wedding.
A week or two to the wedding I meet the client to understand their tastes and preferences. I engage them on the music they want me to play on their special day as I also suggest what I think would work for them basing on their background, guests and more. My sound crew (Real Sounds) usually sets up the night before the event and all the sound checks are done then before departing the venue. I get to the venue at around 10am for my final sound test and getting familiar with the venue and guests that I am going to entertain. I start my job shortly after, and I’m at it till the end of the event.
I believe you’ve met Bridezillas. How do you usually deal with them?
Wow! I’ve met so many of them. It’s really challenging but this is what makes me MOUSTEY DJ. I always allow a client to get emotional on their event but still I have to act professional enough to balance my experience with the clients’ needs. I give the client 60% and my touch 30% and guests 10%. Alternatively, if we fail to agree I’d rather turn down the gig and wait for a cooperative client who will trust me completely. This is common with brides who have spent a good time out of the country, those we usually call ‘basummer’. Their music selection usually doesn’t favour the guests they have invited. But at the end of the day I have to strike a balance.
Any other challenges in this business
1, Unfair competition: Fellow DJs tend to under charge just to make sure they get as many gigs as possible, which kills the quality of our job.
2, Clients want to pay the DJ the least amount off the budget yet we work equally as hard as the rest of the service providers. The DJ is the first person to arrive and the last one to depart too.
3, Lately, clients have really tight budgets. These don’t cover service providers’ meals. This stifles our productivity, yet my job is to put a smile on everyone’s face at the event.
You have unique challenges coming your way because of Covid 19. How do you think this is going to impact the weddings industry?
One of the biggest challenge that I anticipate after COVID are wedding date mixups. Weddings usually have a long check list; church/mosque appointments, photographers, DJs and more. Couples have to make sure all these people are available for their new dates, considering all weddings were put on hold. I see some weddings getting scheduled midweek to catch up.
I also see weddings accommodating fewer guests than usual for about 3 months. Of course, this is going to affect our business, but hopefully things shall ease up later in the year.
Have you had your wedding yet? Do you plan to hire a DJ for your event or you’ll do it yourself.
I’ve only done my Kwanjula (traditional wedding) so far. My wedding is set to hold next year God willing. And I’m sure I will have to hire a DJ. The hard part is I have so many DJ friends, it will be hard to select. I think I will have to assign each of them a specific part of the evening. I am part of a great team of DJs called the REAL DEEJAYs made up of over 10 DJs so from there I am sure I will get the creme dela creme.
What makes a good weddings DJ?
We surely all have the same music banks as Djs but the art and creativity always sets you apart from the clutter; then also client relationship, marketing and presentation.
This interview has been edited and condensed.
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