Behind the decks, DJ Riqq is known for his electrifying sets. But beyond the turntables, he describes himself as a humble, God-fearing Christian with an adventurous spirit, a love for music, and an appetite for life’s experiences.
Born and raised in Nyeri, Riqq grew up in a modest household with loving parents and extended family who, he says, “did everything it took to ensure I had what I needed to be ready for life.”
Music, however, was always his true calling. As a child, he was constantly tuned in to the radio, soaking up sounds and learning songs.
Singing never felt like his path “I couldn’t pick up a mic or stand in front of people to sing,” he admits.
His passion began to take shape during his university years, where he started experimenting with decks while balancing jobs in sales and hospitality.
He was never fully satisfied with his day job. Deejaying, on the other hand, offered energy, expression and engagement. His big breakthrough came in 2013, when he won a regional DJ competition.
More recently, in September 2025, he cemented his reputation by taking the runner-up spot at the international DMC Champion M.EST contest.
“I knew I was on the right path when I realised I could earn five times my salary from something I’d loved since childhood,” he says.
The pursuit of growth eventually led him beyond Kenya. While working at an Apple iPhone shop in sales department he chose to try his luck somewhere else.
“Things weren’t moving at the speed I wanted,” he says.
He resigned and took a chance on Dubai, a decision he describes as timely, given that a few months later the world was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In Dubai, he found himself judged purely on his skills rather than connections.
The market was bigger, the genres more diverse, and the pay better. Still, there were challenges: stereotypes, cultural barriers and the difficulty of establishing himself in a competitive global scene.
Yet he embraced the change, carving out a niche in Latin, UK and US genres, even though it meant playing less Kenyan music.
His open-format style has become his hallmark mixing and blending on the fly, with tracks ranging from Chinese pop to Russian dance hits.
“That way my sets are always different, and it pushes me to learn more music,” he explains.
Technology and social media are central to his brand. He treats his Instagram as a digital CV, constantly updating it to appeal to potential clients.
Yet the journey has not been without setbacks. His biggest disappointment was being betrayed by fellow Kenyans who used his ideas for personal gain.
“It hurt, but I overcame it by working with new communities and lowering my expectations.” he says.
Balancing nightlife with personal life has also been a challenge. “That’s the ultimate curse of DJs,” he admits, noting how friends and family live on opposite schedules.
Still, he makes time to reconnect with Kenya’s entertainment scene whenever he visits home, keeping tabs on new music and industry trends
Away from music, Riqq is also a graphic designer and video editor. He currently works as Creative Director for The Guestroom Podcast by DJ Lowkey, an American project that highlights fresh and established DJs from around the world.
“It’s a great way to connect and learn directly from other top international DJs,” he says.