WhozYourMama

A Journey Through Sound: How Babz Afolabi Embraces the Evolving Music Scene

• Michelle Kreft

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Ever wondered how cultural shock can lead to a discovery of passion? Join us as Babz, a DJ originally from the UK, shares his inspiring journey of becoming a DJ in America. His story begins with a quest for a DJ for his fraternity, which turned into a self-discovery adventure. Feel the pulse of his narrative as he describes the transformative power of festivals as a space for healing and connection through the universal language of music. Babz takes us through his initial struggles with technical skills, driven by an unyielding "fire in the belly" that pushed him to step out of his comfort zone and embrace a new role with confidence and courage.

Amidst the backdrop of transition from fashion photography to DJing, we explore themes of artistic recognition, vulnerability, and the significance of connection. Babz reveals how an Afrobeats and South Asian music event resonated with his cultural roots, serving as a catalyst for his new career path. Through this conversation, we highlight the importance of eye contact and posture as tools for building confidence, and reflect on the changes brought by the pandemic in fostering openness and shared experiences. Ultimately, this episode is a heartfelt testament to self-belief and the power of taking bold steps in pursuit of one's passions, leaving you inspired to trust in your potential and take action now.

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Michelle:

Welcome to Wh, a podcast focusing on tomorrow's future, which are our kids, educators, teachers, parents, all encompassing, with the goal of understanding that our brain is a muscle that we can exercise to control the speed in the direction that we want. Let's go, y'all. The time is now. So, babs, hi, welcome to who's your Mama.

Babz:

Hey, happy Tuesday. Thank you for having me.

Michelle:

Same same to you as well, so let's just dive straight in. You have a very eclectic and inspiring background, which was one of the reasons why I wanted to have you on here to share, um, why um wanted to have you on here to share. Not only is sharing, caring and but from a perspective of the arts, more now than ever.

Michelle:

The creativity, the way it gets people's minds moving um and brain health is life health, and so one of the goals of who's your mama is to inspire younger generations, and those and olders as well, but to learn and and think about ways of collaborating from this perspective being arts being one of them. Yeah, so exactly I, I would love, instead of no one's really caring about listening to me talk much I'll ask a few things, but, um, uh, dive into a little bit about your journey.

Michelle:

I, I know that you started djing in 2017, um, but if there is a backstory to why you started djing then versus earlier, please share, so, um yes, I think for me, I've always found the festival.

Babz:

I found festivals around like 17, 18, and that was such a healing space. It was going to your first festival, it was. It's one of those places where you see people from different backgrounds showing love, showing affection and really bonding through the joy of music.

Michelle:

So the universal music. Is that universal language, I should say.

Babz:

Exactly, it really is and for me, I've always loved dancing and movement and meeting people. But I got into DJing in 2017 because I was in a fraternity at the time and it was completely new and I was building it from the ground up and I didn't really know I'm from the uk, so I didn't really know much about american culture, but from watching movies I was like they need a dj.

Michelle:

So what brought you to america. Obviously I know that and I did I lived in l in London for three and a half years, so I picked up on that accent, but not everyone would what? What brought you to. I did what brought you to the US and also if you could expand a little bit as to why you did what, how you chose the path to not embark on DJing prior to coming to the US.

Babz:

Yes, so prior to at first I came to the US for college, just to. I just felt like I just wanted to take a risk, you know. I felt that it was an opportunity to improve my life and to learn. And yeah, I took a massive gamble. I had never been to the States I had family there because my dad lived there but that was the first time meeting the other side of my family.

Michelle:

Wow, talk about going outside your comfort zone.

Babz:

Yes, it was. It was a real shock and I was foolish because I thought Americans and British were, you know, and British people were the same, but it's very much so. Culture shock.

Michelle:

Yeah, again, I can relate.

Babz:

Yeah, yeah, and it was 2016, so it was a tumultuous time. So, yeah, this time eight years ago, you know, the election was happening again, so it was just a start contracting. You know identities, yeah.

Michelle:

Yeah, so then.

Babz:

okay, so you, you left the uk and and came to the us and then, if memory serves me, correct you you went to michigan state university yes, in 2017, yes, I went to michigan state and, yeah, I wanted to recruit I wanted to actually recruit a DJ to my fraternity, so I didn't want to be the DJ. So I actually infiltrated Michigan State's DJ club so we can get one. And eventually we did get that DJ and, it's funny, we're good friends now. We were roommates moving to Los Angeles, but he didn't want to do it anymore because he wanted he started getting into acting. So I just took the mantle, so I got my decks and straight away pass the baton, so to speak yes, I did my first party straight away, as soon as I got my decks um.

Babz:

I did my first party, but I wasn't very good. I thought I was good but looking back, I didn't really know what I was doing. I was just going on vibes. I didn't know the technical aspects of it do you feel like some of those things?

Michelle:

in hindsight? Because we can all, at times, be our biggest critics, and I, one of the things I like to talk about is self-love and self-care, taking more time to congratulate ourselves, even if it's our internal voice. There was obviously some I call it fire in the belly, so to speak for you to take that big risk moving yes, you know from another country and then, like you said, not having the technical expertise, we all have to start somewhere. And so, looking back on that, what were a few things that you feel that in that place where you had you or you didn't give up, even though you knew you didn't have the technical skill sets, but you backed yourself? What are some of those things that took you to continue through your journey?

Babz:

I think the biggest hurdle per se in this hero's arc and journey was I've got my big controller. I was like I really want to be a DJ. It was two years of doing it. I started doing small events in Michigan State but I was like I am really want to be a DJ. It was two years of doing it. I started doing small events in Michigan State but I was like I am going to do this seriously End of 2019, I got my big decks and then I was gearing towards my first gig Coming from the UK. I didn't really have that much confidence because UK culture you don't have. You aren't pushed to put yourself on a pedestal. You don't really. You aren't pushed to put yourself on a pedestal. You aren't. You don't really believe in yourself. It's a very much so negative place compared to america, who you know. You're meant to be the hero you're meant to have. That fire in your belly.

Michelle:

It is very much a yin and yang. In some ways it's a it's a opposite inflation, deflation type of thing. I think we're trying to all find the balance of having a good level of self awareness and confidence.

Babz:

Like I always say command respect versus demand, confident versus cocky, so you were finding all of that yes, of course, of course, yeah, so, ass, and 2019 was the year that I really clicked for me, like understanding America, realizing I like this place and, you know, really adapting to the culture, really getting more confidence in myself. What do you say? A?

Michelle:

couple of things that were that actually, when you say clicked, because so many people will be able to identify but need more visual or auditory examples. When you say clicked, when you're like, especially looking back, what were some of those moments where it started to click to that which helped impact positively your confidence I think it's just letting go of your ego, letting go of your identity.

Babz:

I think when I your identity, I think when I first moved there, I was, you know, hanging on to being this caricature from the UK you know I'm this person and then just surrendering and enjoying your time there, not constantly judging like, oh, americans are this, americans are that, and realising you know they might have their faults, but we're one in the same and they're much so. Embracing the culture especially, I think sports helped understanding american sports really made me realize this is cool. I've never seen that. And the same with djing bringing people together and sharing that moment. It's so beautiful. And I remember I think it was one time in college. It was college basketball um is michigan state versus duke and we weren't meant to win and we won. And seeing the joy of everybody just celebrating from a sports game, I was like this is amazing, this is really cool.

Michelle:

It'd be like, uh, it'd be like football, aka what we call soccer in this country yes, no you're so right, it is sports and and and music that community feeling are very similar. Like that, we are way more similar than we all give ourselves credit for. Of course, there are certain fundamental things, like you said, bringing people together like that. So you saw that, so then. So then you get to LA with, with your roommate who is pursuing acting, and then what?

Babz:

It was another round of identity crisis Because remember that little window? I said I got my decks and I was raring to go. Yes, the pandemic happened. I couldn't DJ. And then there was a little window while I was in Houston. So I was in Houston for a bit and I was like I can't DJ anymore. So I gave up on that because I thought I was in Houston for a bit and I was like I can't DJ anymore. So I gave up on that because I thought I was too old. I was like 23 at the time. I was like I'm too old, you were 23 and you thought you were too old.

Babz:

A little, a little.

Michelle:

PSA to everyone listening as somebody who is about to turn, I don't even care. 48 on 11, 11 that vaginal chair is everything is a point of reference from our scope, our own internal perspective. And that was you thought you were too old. Why did you feel like that? What was the pandemic? I mean that said no one ever. I'm calling my living my best life ever for different parts of that. But outside of that, why did you feel like you were? Why were you telling your yourself that what was really happening besides the pandemic, but relating it to age and things like that, what else was going on?

Babz:

because it was a new city and I didn't have the almost influence to leverage anything. You know what I mean. At Michigan State I had, you know, my fraternity brothers. I had resources, I knew everything and I thought college was the time to make it or break it. But it definitely wasn't, because now I realize most of my successful DJ friends are 30s and 40s. You know, those are the ones that are really hammering it.

Michelle:

Yeah, literally, yeah, literally yeah.

Babz:

Yeah, yeah. So I just think not having the resources.

Michelle:

That's when it really started to get real, like it's everything is on me or self-accountability. And how far are you willing to dig deep for what you say you want?

Babz:

exactly, exactly. So then I totally did a pivot and I was doing more so photography, so, um, while I was in Houston in my early days in um in California, I was doing more so like fashion photography, portraits, and it was going well. But I think I think there was always something gnawing at me and I think and I know the reason now it's it's well, as a photographer, you will always be at the background and as an artist, I feel like being an artist is wanting to put yourself out there and wanting your art, vulnerability.

Babz:

Yes, wanting your art realized and being almost the main character, Whereas in photography I felt like I was always upset because it was my art, but it would be the model that would be like. This is amazing.

Babz:

They get the credit, the credit it's a different level of vulnerability exactly, exactly, and I looked around and most of the photographers I've interacted with weren't introverted. What drew me to photography was, you know and it's the same with djing is that loving of people and that interaction with people, that connection you really, that vulnerability you get with someone, you're really one-on-one and they let that guard. It's almost therapeutic. You really bond with someone when you do a shoot and I think that's what draws me, and still does, to photography. It's you really get to, you know, see someone you know you really get to meet someone.

Michelle:

Yeah, I do. I feel like music and and humor therapy for the soul and I do feel I'm a huge person about eyes and smiles same.

Babz:

Yeah, I'm always like window into somebody that you really do yes, that's why I don't wear sunglasses, because I feel like most of you guys wear sunglasses, but it's like I I feel like it's a portal to your soul. I'm always smiling when I'm out and, yeah, when I'm wear sunglasses, but it's like I feel like it's a portal to your soul. I'm always smiling when.

Michelle:

I'm out.

Babz:

Yeah, when I'm out in a band, someone's like hi, hi, hi, I'm always looking at you and sometimes I'm like I don't want to really freak people out.

Michelle:

I have a daughter who's about to turn 16 soon and I've taught her since a very young age. You teach people how to treat you, you stand up tall their perception is their reality and even if you're feeling like that, your posture, your eye contact and smells you without even say anything. You speak languages like that much oh wow, that's.

Babz:

That's such great. I wish my parents gave me that advice.

Michelle:

We're doing the best we can, but that's part of who's your mom is this part of sharing and having tools at a younger age to build that foundation, and we're never told to grow to learn these things, and that's what I love and one of the things and what sparked um the idea for me to come up with who's your mama.

Michelle:

One of the biggest things was the pandemic and and seeing an openness and a vulnerability that a lot of people weren't so open to prior and where is a platform to be able to share from a community educator, health healthcare provider, teachers, mothers and everyone else that wants to take a community approach to improve things, because there is a power in numbers, just like when you come out and you're DJing and stuff. It unifies people. We have way more in common than we think.

Babz:

Of course yes.

Michelle:

So then you went through that.

Babz:

So then take us, so that that was a point in time in houston, and then and then moved to los angeles and, um, yeah, I moved to los angeles and I went to usc. So I was at usc for a while and it was early, by luck. I I did not like my first few years, because my first year, because I don't know, I just felt lost and you know, living with my active roommate who was always going to cool stuff and he was always killing it and I had another roommate who was into content creation and he was always like doing stuff and grinding.

Babz:

And you know I'm not a grinder, I'm just like I'll take my own pace, I'll just. Did you find that?

Michelle:

yourself, because I think this is something a lot of people at any age can relate to at some point or many points in their life is comparing yourself to others. Yes, so that was playing. So how did you get out of that headspace to then continue to move into your lane in life that was personalized to you?

Babz:

It's so one day someone, um, one of my roommates, friends named such and um, he came around. He's like do you want to come to this event? It's south asian and afro beats infused and it's like you should come. I went to the event and that event literally changed the trajectory of my life, because I've never heard African music in a club before. In my music, because I was born in Nigeria, that was the first time I heard. You know, there was a space for me, for my music, the music I grew up with, and a light bulb just clicked. So I just kept going to these events and found more okay, afro beats, they're south asian. There's pangea sounds. There's an event called no noza, um, and at first I was just going going.

Babz:

I was like I've been djing for a while. I think I'm just as good as these people, because I was just doing it in my bedroom. But I didn't have the audacity to be like I'm better than you, because I didn't have any photos. I didn't have any evidence of me being a DJ, you know what I mean. And it would have been like that forever until someone hit me up, an event hit me up. At first they were like hey, we need a photographer, but I see you DJ too, so do you want to come as a photographer or DJ? I was like me as a DJ and once. I think, when it comes to DJing is once you have once someone puts you on once, and I've seen that with a lot of DJs once you get that one opportunity, one opportunity, it validates you and it's smooth running from there.

Michelle:

And even if it doesn't, you validate yourself because you put yourself outside your comfort zone exactly and you never know the people you can touch. It's one of the things I enjoy, no matter where I've lived and I've lived around the world I enjoy areas where it's not cookie cutter. You don't. Everyone doesn't look the same, you don't know who you're sitting and talking to.

Babz:

Exactly no, I love that too. Yeah, I love that. I love the mystery about those.

Michelle:

Yes and so and so, being open to that growth which starts from within, and having that resilience, but chasing your passion, which you clearly did. So then take us to. So what's happening right now, in the moment, for you?

Babz:

and what would you like to?

Michelle:

share with other people, to inspire and from the arts, and, and, and not just the arts and obviously this is your story and and it's a beautiful one but, generally speaking, to help people to know things that you've learned are continuing to learn and grow from yeah.

Babz:

So obviously post USC was. You know I thought it'd be smooth sailing but it's been so up and down. You know, you come in, you have a master's degree from a good school and you know you lose jobs, you gain jobs, you lose another one and now you're really relying on your art. And it's that shift of going from oh, this is fun until this is business. And you know, and I'm still having such a fun time, but you know there is that pressure. You know, let's say you do an event and you're having fun, you still got to think about okay, what are the metrics, how much am I pulling in? And you know, and that's it's almost a hard disconnect because you start your party, um, your event to bring people together, but now you have to worry about the mentions. You got to worry about I've got to play this dj, I've got to play that dj. So it's been an interesting shift from just pure artists to more so entrepreneur. That's been a very the growth of understanding.

Michelle:

It's you know you're evolving to. It's not just about the fun bucket of enjoying it, it's it's also building something out of it and taking yourself through that journey. So I would love to come and see you. I am so grateful you're on here. I want to ask you one last question that. I think will resonate in people's minds, or I hope it does it does.

Babz:

What is one thing that you would tell your younger self, knowing what you know now? Um time goes fast and just have confidence in yourself. Just try things. Don't care about what people think about it, just have confidence in yourself. If it's your passion, if it's your dream, just embrace it and not care, because, although there might be eyeballs on you, the only person's opinion that matters is yourself. So yeah, if you love it, just keep doing it yes, yes, I love that.

Michelle:

Well, thank you so much for coming on. Who's your mama? I always say let's go y'all. The time is now, and I think that that's exactly what you said Believe in yourself. The time is now and and you, you have it, so thank you so much for coming on.

Babz:

Thank you so much for having me.

Michelle:

I look forward to seeing more of your journey. There's no doubt that it's going to be a big and bright one, and now it's just getting started more and more and more Thank you Exactly.

Babz:

Thank you so much, I appreciate it.

Michelle:

Thank you for tuning in to who's your Mama, and I look forward to collaborating from a community standpoint for the next episodes.

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Michelle Kreft

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