DJ 7- The music goes on…

She prances into the Pregnant photo shoot venue on easy brown sandals. Her black fitting pants, dark easy dress-top that smothers her bump, her jungle green trench coat that allows her little belly to have its way, and the way she swings her braids away from her neck as she trots up the stairs tells you she is one of those women who are very comfortable in their skin – a key ingredient for celeb-dom.

So I pep up myself for the energetic celebrity natter- acknowledging her exceptional efforts, bantering over the latest in the industry (which I am barely privy to) and making sure I do not disappoint her -lest she grabs her hand bag and on her way out say, ‘I don’t do disorganization.’ Thankfully, I realize I don’t have to do any of that.

DJ 7, aka Mary Naliaka Muniali, Size 8’s sister, is easy and down to earth. You’d almost mistake her for shy, before you realize she is simply allowing you to guide her. You know she is appreciating she is in the forte of other specialists- the designer, make-up artist, photographer and all. In other words, she melted into the spirit of the photo- shoot and let her bump, posing flair and fetching looks flatter the camera clicks. In the meantime, details of the little one growing in her belly unfolded. Did she plan for this? No. She was on birth control when she began feeling unwell.

Assuming it was typhoid or malaria, she made her way to the hospital. To her surprise the tests went all the way to the pregnancy one – which glared positive. “I realize, I missed out on some instructions while taking my birth control pills,” she laughs, “but am glad all the same. I am really looking forward to having him in my arms,” says the diverse artist who models professionally, has been an actress and whose craze for rhythm saw her start DJ-ing back in high school- St Lawrence, Uganda.

Any turbulence the pregnancy has brought? At least not to her work. She has managed to make it to all her gigs. She says there was no strain whatsoever in her six months of pregnancy. It is the last trimester that has come with a few hitches. “I have had to sometimes sit when working, as I tend to get very tired,” she explains. There is also the bit of dancing to the washroom every so often now that the baby has taken more room, laughs the passionate artist.

A scary moment was when someone pushed her hard against her belly, and the baby did not move for hours. “I thought something really wrong had happened to my baby,” she recalls and the relief in her smile says its’s all good now.

Other than that, her temperament bumps from jovial to tears. ” I am pretty much used to it,” she muses. Her partners, Ezra Njagi, is understanding and more than cooperative. He has been the provider of TLC (tender loving care) and is super-happy about the baby on the way, she informs. She is happy that her friends, too, treat her extra special.

“My eating habits have really changed,” she tells. “I have gained weight,” she says-quickly and happily adding, “in the right places.” She says meat barely gets down he throat nowadays. And she gets serious craves by the hour. When what she craves for is not at her disposal, she compensates it with very cold diluted strawberry juice. Ice cubes are her new delicacy too. Her teeth crash them even in the wee hours of the night, and in restaurants!

“I love my skin more,” she remarks, “it is much smoother-besides the stretch marks,” she smiles.

The Dee-Jay is looking forward to her EDD. First, as noted, she can’t wait to hold her baby. Then, “because I now get so so so tired, I can’t wait to have someone else help me carry the baby!” she laughs making the baby-rocking gesture. Her EDD should as well make her more free from well meaning friends’ and family’s superfluous advice; what to eat, how to sit or sleep, name the baby …. At least she is sure that her baby, falling in the parents’ steps, will have a bible name. Otherwise, they are taking it a step a step at a time. No mega tangible plans for the baby yet. But, “We promise to shower him with the love and care that he needs,” she calmly asserts.

The Dee-jay
Who is she? A model, actress and a DJ. She is also sister to singer Size 8. Where did it all start: I have always loved music. I was my school’s entertainment captain for over a year. I danced, acted and dee-jayed.

Spin school- Spins Trade Academy where I learned the basics. Before that, I had been training with Virtual Dee-jay at home. Then I discovered it takes more to be a DJ. The school taught me how to use manual turntables and records, mixing, sound and electronics. I learned how to use Serato and make mix tapes using Acid technology. I can now spin at any gig.

Projections: I want to be an all-round DJ before I think of specialising. I see myself getting into production, making beats and cutting new sounds for my clients, the rest will then fall in place.

Handling the challenges: I have great mentors like DJ Creme de la Creme. Failure is a state of mind.
Family help: Favours? No. Modelling me? Yes. Simiyu, my brother is a radio presenter. My elder sister is an events manager, not to mention Size 8’s music performance. The love for music/entertainment in the family makes us encourage each other. That has made me grow.

END: PG 48 /16-18