The music season has begun for the DJs in Goa which is gearing up for the upcoming tourist season that kick starts with the World Tourism Day, on September 27. In this land of sun, shine and sand a skillful DJ can put life into any event that happens here, whether it’s a birthday party, a wedding celebration, a business conference or an anniversary. Though music is something that delights every heart, yet being a DJ and maintaining the status is not a cake walk, as is generally thought. There is meticulous homework done every single day, before the actual show begins. “As DJs we have to keep track of the current trends across the globe as Goa is a melting pot of cultures,” quips Kiran Mokati, a Disc Jockey (DJ) in Goa, popularly known as DJ Kiran.
He further adds, “While at show we have to take quick decisions before switching off from one track to the other. Judging the mood of the audience is another task one has to keep an eye on. And thirdly but not lastly, we have to be alert and on our toes all the time - literally. Indeed, playing the right music at the right moment is a skill.”
The DJ Duo - DJ Kiran and DJ Abdul, have paired up together, forming ‘AK 47’ to play at the five-star resorts, pubs, clubs and events. Known to rock the night clubs in Goa, ‘AK 47’ offers all kinds of music. “We have played with national and international artists too,” boasts DJ Kiran, adding a few names - Nikhil Chinapa, Nawed Khan, Ivan, Rohit Borkar and New World Sound.
“Our task is not limited to just keep on arranging the records. It’s more than that. To deliver music, we must have a collection of all kinds of music - and not just music but good music. A lot of homework goes into this. I personally have a collection of 20,000 songs for all kinds of genre which can keep them entertained through the night,” briefs DJ Kiran who admits playing House music and Electro music four years ago. It is for the past one year that he has been offering the latest trends like Hip Hop and R & B.
“The trends keep changing with time. We have to know what’s being played around across the globe currently and offer the same to our clients. There are around 100 plus DJs in Goa and more upcoming ones too. The profession is getting competitive with every passing year and if we do not upgrade ourselves, we will be lost,” shares 26-year-old Abdul, mentioning DJ Ryan Nogar as his Guru. Coincidently, DJ Abdul and DJ Kiran, both have learnt from DJ Ryan Nogar who is considered as one of the topmost DJs in Goa - popular and versatile.
“Ryan is maestro - the best at his work. He reads the pulse of the crowd quickly and offers pure entertainment hour after hour. We salute him for his commendable mastery over music and his zest and zeal to offer the best to his clients,” say both unanimously. Both have seen days of struggle in the initial stage of their careers. It’s been seven years that Abdul and Kiran are together. They created ‘AK 47’ four years ago. “We wanted to have something different and catchy which would attract immediate attention, especially of youth. So we chose ‘AK 47’. Sounds dangerous?” asks DJ Kiran while DJ Abdul just smiles.
Their journey as DJs began at almost same time - seven-eight years ago. While Abdul began his career eight years ago as a DJ at Bottle Bay in Baga with Rs 4000 a month, it was his hard work that led him to his current popularity. “I have struggled for years to reach this stage and it’s my passion for music and 7 hours daily practise,” admits DJ Abdul.
For Kiran, initially it was Margarita in Colva that hired him for Rs 7000 a month. DJ Kiran was inclined towards music since his school and college days and until now, has listened to tracks of A to Z artists who have rocked the music world for past three decades, beginning from the 80s.
The ‘AK 47’ team now plans to produce music of its own. “We are working on this project and by next year we would be releasing a few tracks or albums. We will also create an entertainment firm that will organise parties,” discloses Kiran.
