Ebere Iweagu, massively addressed as Commissioner DJ Wysei formerly of Wazobia 95.1FM station, is a disciplined and resolute young lady whom many had taught would tail her mother’s nursing profession as many of her peers may have done in the past. But unfortunately, it did not turn out to be so because Commissioner DJ Wysei, an Mbaise, Imo State indigene, has been eyeing professional musicianship for which she has tried avenues to explore and exploit opportunities in her bid to actualize her dream. However, after some serious tests to see if her efforts would work out, it dawned on her that she cannot be a musician after all. So, she embraced Disc Jockey which she seriously believed was closest to being a musician. In this exclusive close up with our Contributing Editor, IFECHI OKOH, she relayed how her life’s journey from how her quest for being a celebrated Disc Jockey started to where she finds herself today. Enjoy it!

Why the Disc Jockey profession out of all others?

As at 2013, I never knew I was going to embrace Disc Jockey as a profession. Before then, majority of those who knew my mother strongly believed that I was going into medicine or nursing because of my mother who is a professional nurse. As at that time, I was seriously into music. That time, I was head over heels in music. To worsen my matter, members of my family who had listened to my songs, deceived me by telling me that I was good. However, the truth dawned on me when I decide to take my time to listen to myself with the sole aim of scoring myself honestly. It was then, I was convinced that my voice was anything but impressive. It was at this time, I gave trying my arms on Disc Jockeying as a Profession a deep thought. I did this as a result of my true love for music at the back of my mind and it clicked. That was how my journey to Disc Jockey started for me. My being a Disc Jockey is not surprising because from my childhood, anything I did then, I tried to be at my best. I developed this attitude during my secondary school days. It continued during my university days when I was reading Information Technology. However, years after graduation, I took my ambition a step further when I started posting my exclusive Jockeying performances on net. That was how CNN TV noticed me through DJ Switch who pushed me forward by recommending me to them. Based on this, they watched my posts and loved them too. This was how I got my break. It was after this, that CNN started showcasing me among other peer DJs. During this time, that was when Wazobia spotted me and embraced me after a keen competition which I won. That was how I came on board Wazobia station as their official Disc Jockey. 

How did you come about Commissioner DJ Wysei?

To start with, I came about Wysei from my secondary school days when I was in a missionary school where a Reverend Father watched me closely for a long time and remarked that anything I did then, I tried to be my best and smart about it. From then, he has been calling me “Wysei.” So years after, I remembered the name and I decided to adopt it as my stage name “DJ Wysei.” Honestly, it has been working for me till now. The Commissioner of a thing came when I decided to act the Commissioner’s appellation. Be informed that plans are afoot by some people to make me officially the Commissioner of Youths, thereby officializing DJ Commissioner Wysei. 

What stands you out as a DJ?

I have evolved a unique way of standing out as a DJ, starting from my introduction of my special drum skills which I usually display on air, especially during “Evening Oyoyo” programme on 95.1FM. The same too, I do during other programmes which I’m involved. I noticed that people love this, and, as a result, it has been going for me as it attracts attention and applause to me. 

Does your being one of the few female DJ’s on radio help you in getting jobs?

Yes, to an extent. This is so because I usually put in my best anytime I am on air. The same goes when am playing off air. 

May we know your initial challenges and how you were able to conquer them?

The foremost challenge I had as a female DJ was societal perception of female DJs, that is the discouraging way they look at female DJs. I mean seeing them as irresponsible bunch. That is not true and it is a pity, to start with. Since I noticed this, I did not allow it to weigh me down. Instead, I did my possible best to change such perception. Today, I thank God that I have succeeded.

Any problem being a female DJ as per getting jobs?

Being a female DJ is not the problem. Rather, it is more of what you have to offer as a DJ. I thank God that I have been able to prove this times over and it has fetched me lots of lucrative jobs from people who appreciate me and even recommend me to others.

May we know if any top Nigerian musician has approached you for any backup recording job?

For now, not yet. However, I am discussing with some of them on the possibility of backing them up during their next recording.

Are you into any relationship for now?

Be informed that for now, I am not into any relationship but that is not to say I will not be by tomorrow. However, this depends on my choice. I know is not everyman that would tolerate this kind of my business. That is why I am going to be very careful with any man I am going into relationship with. Any such person should love me first as a lady, secondly, he should love my profession and must do all he can to encourage me. As a matter of fact, I am going to test his true love for me and my profession. Once he passes both tests, then I move closer to him, then our true relationship will start. Aside from this, he should trust me because I don’t believe in love without trust. I mean when am going out to work, he should not suspecting me for whatever reason or reasons because that is the nature of my job. I have to do this so that I don’t fall for anybody who has lust after me and not love because of my popularity. This clause has broken so many celebrity marriages in Nigeria. And I don’t want mine to be one of them. 

Will you expect your man to be with you at locations that would take you away from home for weeks?

No please, because he is not supposed to be jobless in the first place. It’s only a jobless person that can afford to do that. Moreover, I expect him to have that implicit confidence in me as a wife. Naturally, I have an integrity and name to protect.

 What do you respect in a man most?

Talent! That’s all. You may not believe it, but it is true. I love it because any man who is talented would obviously be smart. With this, I know he will not force me to be repeating myself, which I hate with passion. To me, a talented person should be a good communicator of a sort.

Can you recall any crazy thing a fan has done to you recently?

Oh yes, I recall that recently while performing at an occasion when a young man who was been fascinated by my display on stage forced his way to where I was performing, asking me for a kiss. He was damn serious, from his persistence. However, the bouncers around, who saw what was happening, came like lightening to bounce him off the stage, thereby, saving me from further embarrassment.

What is your definition of beauty?

To me beauty is not physical. It is more of a heart’s thing than anything else, but people mistake the inside view for the physical. To them, their definition is more of physical than anything else. That is appearance which has no debt to my judgement. To me, it is very shallow and peripheral.

What is your definition of love?

To me, love is simply the kindness people show to one another. It is not the physical Nigerian one which centers on deep feelings for the opposite sex. This is so because I am naturally more philosophical towards my perception of life and living. Pitiably, this is the lot of fellow youths who go on to show this in their choice of music.

What magnets you to the opposite sex?

It is simply manners which should be shown in his refined disposition. I love such men because it is necessary in any relationship which should last or otherwise. Moreover, it saves women from lots of embarrassments in relationships.

What can a man do to melt your heart?

Being honest! I love real people, especially men who are honest to a fault. Once I notice this, I will move closer to him and feel safer too, giving him my heart sincerely.