A good DJ needs to have passion for music – Karim Iranzi

The relaxed, humble and soft spoken Karim Iranzi is a well known Dj in Rwanda. He is most popular in Kigali where he has been playing music in different clubs. Iranzi, the son of Sued Baluwan and Falidah Sud was born in 1985. He is the first born in a family of three girls and three boys. Born and raised in Nyarugenge, Dj Karim attended Kivugiza Primary School and Ecole Secondaire Islamique locally known as Khadaf’s school. He started his career after dropping out of school. “I was inspired by DJ Junior who used to work at Cadillac around 2003 and 2004,” he says. He remembers that his first job was at Casablanca near Hotel Okapi then later went to Safari club in Butare before changing to Ifoko club where he became very popular. Iranzi also trained for two months with Home Boys Club in Nairobi and on his return started working with Kigali Business Centre’s (KBC) Club Planet for a period of six months. Thereafter he worked at Next till it was closed recently then switched to Quell Que Bar. Sundowner is where he currently works. “When I had just started, almost every DJ didn’t want to offer a helping hand. If luck was on my side, I’d be told to come in the evening when there were no people. The second the first person stepped into the club the lesson would end,” he recalls. “There is this misplaced thought that everyone can be a DJ. True but not everyone can be a good DJ and that is what the difference is. To be a good DJ, you should love your job with a passion.” According to Nadia, a fan of the DJ, he is so talented and does what he does with passion. “He is such a simple and humble person to everyone who approaches him regardless of who or how old you are. He respects everyone and can socialize with just about everyone,” she added. DJ Karim’s career has developed over the years from laptops to new techniques which he insists is the last play for the best DJs. “Children should not drop out of school because they are in love with music. Finish your education because it’s important plus we all have our own call and destination.” “When I lost my father and my other family members were living in Oman, I had to start looking for ways to earn a living on my own,” says the DJ. Today Iranzi is capable of getting whatever he needs because he earns a salary and he also helps people who are less fortunate. “Parents if your child has a passion for something don’t discourage them by undermining the job but rather guide the child on how he or she can achieve their dream,” he urges parents. Mutesi, another fan of DJ Karim from Remera says she always gets music selected by DJ Karim. “I have never met him but I like his music playlists,” she says. DJ Karim has a girl friend Alexia whom he loves and treasures deeply. (Sorry ladies). She has always been there for him in times of need. The famous Karim will be at the Happy People Party alongside DJ Bego from South Africa on the 31st of December. As a long term project, DJ Karim is planning to set up an academy for DJs because he knows what he went through. He feels it is time to have professional DJs in Rwanda just like everywhere else in the world. Mbbz_pelagie@yahoo.com