Needle Exchange: DJ Nayiram (Seattle)

His go-to records, his craziest gig, and the music you should never ask him to play.

IMAGE: Courtesy of DJ Nayiram.

Years DJing: I never realized how long I've been a DJ. I've always been that kid who got called out to take care of the music during house parties and family gatherings, ever since I was 12 years old. I bought my first set of equipment when I moved to the states in 2011 and everything has been magical since then. Professionally, it's been 5 years.

Genre: Afrobeat, Afro-house, future dance-hall, Afro-trap, soca, dance hall, hip-hop.

Where you can catch me regularly: Currently a resident DJ for Red Lounge, Seattle's monthly Afrobeat party every last Friday. I also started the Afrobeat Global Show on Blast Radio, Sundays 3-5 pm. You can also catch me at Stage Seattle for Afrique Fridays on the first and third Friday of each month.

Craziest gig: The Afrobeat Day Party in March at Rhumbar at the Mirage in Las Vegas with the most hype and fun crowd ever. I would say this space held about 300-plus party people, and almost everyone present had a good sense of musical knowledge. I love these crowds—the singalongs, the crazy dancers and mostly those who walk up to appreciate the DJ. I repost videos from this gig every Thursday  as my favorite Throwback Thursday memories. Take me back to Vegas!

My go-to records: Brenda Fassie, "Vulindlela"; Fuse ODG, "Antenna"; Jay-Z, "You Don't Know"; Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley, "Welcome to Jamrock."

Don't ever ask me to play…: I personally wouldn't mind taking a request during my set. If it fits the vibe I've created on the dance floor already, I will definitely play it. I give credit to the countless times the song requests actually reminds me of a particular song I haven't played in a while or didn't remember to play at the moment. With that being said, if the music doesn't fit the mood on the dance floor or doesn't make sense, I'm not with it.

NEXT GIG: DJ Nayiram spins at the Way Up Afro/Caribbean Dance Party at Holocene, 1001 SE Morrison St., with DJ Solo and Jiggaman, on Friday, July 21. 9 pm. $5 before 10:30 pm, $7 after. 21+.

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