Nigerian-born disc jockey and recording artiste, Agboola Ebenezer Olayemi, popularly known as DJ ESSENTIAL, is expanding his presence on the international music scene as he continues to promote Afrobeats and African music across different continents.
Professionally active since 2018, DJ ESSENTIAL has built a reputation for energetic performances and carefully curated sets combining Afrobeats, Amapiano, Hip-Hop and contemporary global sounds.
His career, which began in Nigeria, has seen him perform at various events, clubs and entertainment platforms, where he developed a reputation for connecting with audiences and blending different musical cultures.
A major step in his international journey came in January 2025, when he embarked on a tour of Ghana, performing at clubs and entertainment venues across the country.
The Ghana tour marked his expansion beyond Nigeria and further demonstrated his ability to adapt his sound to different audiences while maintaining the cultural identity of Afrobeats.
Speaking on his musical journey, DJ ESSENTIAL said his goal is to use music to connect African culture with audiences around the world.
“My vision is to keep taking African music to new audiences while creating experiences that bring people from different cultures together. Afrobeats has a global language, and I want to be part of the movement that continues to push that sound across borders.”
Now based in the United Kingdom, DJ ESSENTIAL has performed in several cities, including London, Bristol, Plymouth, Dartford, Sheffield, Luton, Ipswich, Birmingham, Exeter and Truro.
His growing performance circuit in the UK has enabled him to reach increasingly diverse audiences and further establish himself as a cultural link between Africa and the international music community.
Beyond performing, DJ ESSENTIAL is also involved in music recording and curation. He released “TYL (This Your Love),” a single featuring Nigerian Afrobeats singer FOLA, with the track available on major digital streaming platforms.
The DJ has also ventured into talent management through E-Entertainment, also known as Essential Entertainment, a company focused on developing emerging musical talents.
Through the platform, he manages artistes including Mikkie Bankz and AVFB, while also working on DJ mixes and collaborative projects involving artistes such as Williamx, Mikkie Bankz and AVFB.
According to him, his involvement in talent development is driven by the desire to create opportunities for emerging artistes.
“It is important for us to create platforms where new talents can grow. The African music industry has so much potential, and developing artistes is part of how we can build a stronger entertainment ecosystem.”
With experience spanning Nigeria, Ghana and the United Kingdom, DJ ESSENTIAL is positioning himself as part of a new generation of African DJs using performance, music curation and collaboration to extend the reach of African sounds.
As he continues to build his international profile, the DJ is expected to take his performances and creative projects to more audiences across the globe while continuing to promote Afrobeats and African culture through music.
