Cool DJ Blaze Hails DJAN Mix Master Championship as Nigeria Crowns New DJ Kings in Calabar

Renowned journalist and DJ culture advocate Olebara Uchechukwu Anthony Chijioke, popularly known as Cool DJ Blaze McBede, has described the just-concluded Deejays Association of Nigeria (DJAN) Mix Master Championship as a defining moment for the country’s DJ industry. The inaugural competition climaxed with a high-profile awards ceremony in Calabar, Cross River State, on Tuesday, November 25, 2025.

Speaking as the Southeast Zonal Coordinator of DJAN, Cool DJ Blaze praised the championship for setting what he called “a new benchmark for excellence,” noting that the event showcased not just talent, but discipline, creativity, and professional growth among Nigerian DJs. He expressed pride in the strong showing from the Southeast and called for greater recognition of DJing as a serious creative profession.

Cool DJ Blaze went further, urging Nigerian universities and polytechnics to institutionalise DJing as an academic discipline. He said his long-term vision is for DJAN to help shape minds and build globally respected brands, adding that formal education would elevate the craft beyond entertainment into structured career development.

The event itself marked the culmination of months of intense nationwide contests, with DJs emerging from state and zonal rounds to battle for national honours. Sixteen finalists made it to the final stage, after what DJAN leaders described as one of the most competitive talent hunts in the association’s history.

DJAN National President, Prince Christian Edeh, widely known as DJ Perfect International, said the Mix Master Championship had become a cornerstone of the association’s mission. He recalled the success of DJAN’s 2024 continental awards and described the MMC as a powerful new platform promoting professionalism and excellence within the industry.

After an electrifying final performance, DJ Zangar International from the Federal Capital Territory emerged winner, carting home the grand prize of ₦5 million. DJ Ussy from Kaduna State finished second with ₦2 million, while DJ Palladium from Rivers State claimed third place and ₦1 million.

In his closing remarks, DJ Perfect International emphasised DJAN’s role in nation-building, calling on government and corporate Nigeria to invest more deliberately in the creative sector. He noted that DJs are creating jobs, exporting Nigerian culture globally, and keeping young people productively engaged — a vision Cool DJ Blaze echoed as essential to the future of the industry.