Rise of West Africa’s famous DJ – James Nwankwo
James Nwankwo ( popularly known as DJ Virall) has kept his title as one of the notable DJs in Nigeria! We look at the rise of West Africa’s famous DJ…
James Chike Nwankwo was born in Orumba North, Anambra, Nigeria, in 1989. He attended the Hallelujah Model School, Ibadan, Nigeria, before moving to Command Day Secondary School, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, for his secondary school education.
He earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the prestigious University of Ibadan, Nigeria in 2014. He completed his Master’s of Art degree in Higher School of Economics, Moscow in 2021 and PHD at National Research Higher School of Economics (HSE) in 2022.
James discovered turntables and started playing during his undergraduate days at the University of Ibadan radio station, diamond 101.1fm at 23 years old in 2012. From an after-school hobby, it became a real passion and finally his profession.
First influenced by hip hop, with an affinity for R & B Music, Rap, and Dancehall, DJ Virall smoothly integrates tracks from artists such as “Busta Rhymes” to “Busy Signal”.
DJ Virall started his career from campus house parties and it was a big success! His technical ease behind turntables and his communicative energy move everyone to the dancefloor!
He was highly attracted to hip hop/rap music and, at the age of 23, was recording demos in his bedroom.
DJ Virall also made a name for himself in 2013 pioneering the sounds of Nigerian Afro pop fusion, appealing to lovers of dance music of all styles for his sheer artistry.
He made his first big hit in 2013, in which he paid homage to that decade’s unique style and culture. The song, with its catchy chorus, reached the Nigerian top ten and stayed there for an epic 15 weeks.
In 2014, James was a chart regular, and his hard work paid off when he was nominated for a Nigerian Award. He didn’t win, but it was the beginning of a slew of nominations and awards.
In 2015 , Coke Studio season 8 project became popular in Nigeria, and DJ Virall emerged as one of Nigerian leading DJs of this new exciting scene.
In 2021, it marked a dramatic turn for James. Thanks for his persistence in the industry he added a Nigerian Books of Record Awards.
Although only 33, James Nwankwo, popularly known as DJ Virall, is already a veritable superstar DJ in his homeland, Nigeria. Currently, based in Russia, the clubbing and dance music capital of Moscow, DJ Virall, is well established as one of Nigerian biggest DJs and producer talents.
James has worked with notable brands like Coca-Cola, JCI, CASSON and significant personalities like Sucre, Ekejo of Ile-Ife, Ooni of Ife (Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi CFR), Osun State Deputy Governor and Fr Maikel Woods. Also, he has worked as the official DJ for academics at the University of Ibadan and the University of Glasgow.
Before leaving the shores of Nigeria, he worked as the official DJ for CYON occasions and congresses.
Presently, he works as a DJ/MC at a popular Afro club in Moscow. He has worked in this capacity alongside international artistes like T-Flow and Fior de Bior.
