In the kaleidoscope of Afrobeats, where rhythms travel like wildfire from Lagos to London and beyond, one figure stands tall with his signature cap and boundless energy: DJ Spinall. Born Oluseye Desmond Sodamola, Spinall is not just a disc jockey; he is a storyteller, a cultural ambassador, and one of the architects of the global Afrobeats sound. From controlling dancefloors to producing chart-topping records, his journey is proof that DJs are no longer just background hype men—they’re headline creators.
The Man Behind the Cap: Early Life and Identity
Spinall’s signature style—the Yoruba cap he wears proudly at every appearance—tells you everything about his philosophy. He’s rooted in culture, yet always looking forward. Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Spinall grew up surrounded by the city’s unrelenting pulse: church music, Fuji sounds, highlife classics, and later, hip-hop influences. This early exposure to eclectic sounds shaped his ear, giving him the versatility to blend genres seamlessly.
He began as a radio DJ, hustling in the background, curating playlists for stations that catered to Nigeria’s growing youth audience. But even then, Spinall stood out. His ability to read the crowd and keep energy alive was unmatched, and soon, he graduated from being just a “radio selector” to becoming a touring DJ, then a full-fledged artist in his own right.
Breaking Grounds: From DJ Booth to Studio
What separates DJ Spinall from many of his peers is his refusal to be boxed in. Instead of being content with spinning records at clubs and festivals, he ventured into production. His debut album, My Story: The Album (2015), wasn’t just an introduction—it was a declaration. Packed with collaborations with Nigeria’s finest, it established him as a bridge between artists and fans, curating sounds that resonated far beyond the DJ booth.
From there, Spinall doubled down. Albums like Dreams (2017), Iyanu (2018), and Grace (2020) showcased his evolving artistry, featuring superstars like Wizkid, Burna Boy, Davido, Tiwa Savage, Omah Lay, and Kizz Daniel. Each project wasn’t just about creating hit singles—it was about expanding Afrobeats’ sonic vocabulary, mixing house, hip-hop, and Caribbean influences into the distinctly Nigerian rhythm.
Global Spins: Taking Afrobeats to the World
By the late 2010s, Spinall was no longer just Nigeria’s pride—he was Afrobeats’ international flagbearer. He became the first Nigerian DJ to perform at the Glastonbury Festival in 2019, a landmark moment that showed how far DJs could push the culture.
His international run continued to build momentum: Spinall was invited to major global stages and festivals, and in 2024 he crossed the Atlantic to perform at Coachella — becoming one of the first Afrobeats DJs to appear on that festival’s lineup, another watershed moment for the genre’s global acceptance.
But Spinall wasn’t just playing gigs; he was shaping Afrobeats’ entry into the global stage. His collaborations with international stars—from South African amapiano hitmakers to UK’s afro-swing rappers—show his adaptability and keen sense of where the sound is heading. He’s as comfortable creating amapiano-infused tracks as he is layering soulful R&B with Afrobeats bounce.
Hitmaker in His Own Right
Some DJs ride on artists’ coattails. Spinall does the opposite: he amplifies them. His catalog is littered with anthems. From “Dis Love” with Wizkid and Tiwa Savage, to “Nowo” featuring Wizkid, “Baba” with Kizz Daniel, and “Sere” featuring Fireboy DML, his records have been staples in parties across continents.
Each track reflects Spinall’s magic touch—he knows how to combine the right artist with the right beat to create unforgettable moments. His songs don’t just live on the charts; they live in memories of weddings, house parties, and festivals where they’ve been blasted at full volume.
ÈKÓ GROOVE: A Career-Defining Album
In 2025 Spinall released ÈKÓ GROOVE, a 14-track album that functions as a deliberate love letter to Lagos and a statement of artistic identity. Released via TheCAP Music in partnership with Epic Records, the album stitches together local street rhythms, amapiano textures, and global R&B sensibilities — and features an array of heavyweight collaborators across Afrobeats and beyond. The project arrived as Spinall’s most ambitious full-length to date, intended not just as a collection of singles but as a cohesive portrait of the city that shaped him and the culture he’s helped export.
For Spinall, ÈKÓ GROOVE matters because it reframes the DJ-producer as a curator of stories at album scale: where previous releases focused on single anthems, this album presents a narrative — a Lagos soundtrack — that highlights his growth from selector to auteur. It also marks a milestone in his commercial reach, linking his independent imprint with major-label muscle and signaling a new phase in his global ambitions.
Beyond Music: The Business of Spinall
Spinall isn’t just an artist—he’s a brand. With his company, TheCAP Music, he’s built a platform for young creatives and musicians, echoing his commitment to nurturing the next wave of talent. He’s also collaborated with fashion brands, lending his cultural cap signature to global campaigns, making him a style icon in addition to a music star.
As a pioneer, he paved the way for DJs in Nigeria to be seen not just as background hype men, but as headliners. Today, names like DJ Neptune, DJ Xclusive, and DJ Tunez thrive in the limelight partly because Spinall broke those barriers first.
The Evolution of a Legend
From Lagos radio to Glastonbury and Coachella, from underground clubs to Billboard charts, DJ Spinall’s evolution is nothing short of remarkable. His journey mirrors that of Afrobeats itself—rooted in Nigeria but destined for the world. In every mix, every beat, and every performance, Spinall brings culture, energy, and vision.
At a time when Afrobeats continues to dominate global playlists, DJ Spinall stands as a reminder that the sound isn’t just about the singers—it’s also about the tastemakers who connect the dots, keep the rhythm alive, and make the world dance.
The Road Ahead
DJ Spinall isn’t slowing down. With more collaborations in the works, plans to expand his label, and global tours already on the horizon, he’s set to continue shaping Afrobeats’ future. At heart, he’s still the Lagos kid with headphones on and a cap tilted just right—but now, he’s doing it for the world.
And in every club, festival, and stadium where his beats drop, one thing remains true: the party doesn’t really start until Spinall spins.