East or West, home is best! Like this adage, renowned DJ Puff last week returned home after staying in the U.S for the last 15 years. DJ Puff, real name Pamphile Gasana, is a Rwandan born in Burundi. The 33-year-old began his career at the age of 14, performing at various parties in Burundi. DJ Puff first rose to fame at 16, when he started spinning in nightclubs and his talent immediately introduced him to Burundi’s music scene. In an interview with The New Times, DJ Puff said that he was inspired by his father. “When we were still kids, our father used to buy us sodas and often organised a dance competition, where the winner was given another soda,” he recalled. “The craving for more sodas made me like dancing.” 1n 1997, DJ Puff moved to Kigali and, though he tried his best, there was nothing much to do as the music industry was still too small at the time. Three years later, the budding star left for the US, where he graduated in Sound Engineering from the Full Sail University. “After school, I formed a company called Puff Entertainment and also became the president of the East African music in North America,” DJ Puff said. He added that his aim was to promote East African music in the US and that he has worked with various East African artists, including Jose Chameleon, Nameless, and Miss JoJo. “I blend both African and American music to produce quality music,” he added.“I’m very happy to be associated with Rwandan music, and I feel great for the fact that I can, in one way or another, contribute to his country’s economy,” DJ Puff said. DJ Puff will be performing every Friday and Saturday at Jet 7 (former Teresa), in Kimihurura; he is also expected to perform on Christmas Eve at Rodeo (former Legends), in Kiyovu. Ends
