Today we’d like to introduce you to Fawzia Haji
Hi Fawzia , can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I started djing in 2016 when I was invited to an event and was in awe of how the dj was mixing (Dj Shortlegg) which till today he is a good friend and a mentor as he is the 1st person that not only taught me how to dj was willing to mentor me, because he saw the passion in my eyes and at the time there were not any African female dis which made me the !st International Somali female dj. I love everything about music and during covid time started rapping and dropped my 1st ever single called “Batigang” which gives a shout out to the 1st Somali women to ever do it from congress woman Ilhan Omar, to the fashion model Halima, myself dj (by the way the 3 of us from MN), to Asli Hassan the 1st African woman to ever be pilot in Africa, Ramla Ali again 1st Somali female boxer etc. I believe I mentioned 12 powerful amazing women and am sure there are many more.
When I was very young I believe in primary school in Garissa, Kenya yes an all girls school, that was sponsored a by Japanese family. They were looking for girls who were open minded to learning how to play piano and I was one of those girls. There was this one song that we had to memorize called (Jambo, Jambo Sana) song which is Avery popular song in Kenya and I believe around the world mostly in most African Countries. We had to perform on all major ceremonies. I remember we even perform in front of President and many politicians. When we use to visit Garissa, we would even travel to the near by cities with my team. Ohh how I loved playing soo much, I was appointed to lead the group since the lessons was very easy for me. For some reason it was easy for me to read and understand music which I didn’t not understand at the time, during that time I was also appointed to lead the Girl Scouts who use to put up/down the flag and also match down the street with music playing in the background. Left Garissa 22 years ago and haven’t touched piano for long time, but one thing for sure anytime I see piano of all the songs I learned as little girl, I WILL NEVER FORGET HOW TO PLAY THE JAMBO SONG, CAN EVEN PLAY IT WITH MY EYES CLOSED IF I START ON THE RIGTH MELODY.
Music visited me again after my divorce in 2016 when my sister took me out to have me clear my head as I was
dealing with a heartbreak. I had 2 little boys at home so I never went anywhere, so this was new to me as I was introduced to the world of Afrobeats. The first I heard Wizkid (Show you the money) and Davido (Skelelelu)!!!!! My ears
were excited and dancing and I couldn’t stare away from the DJ @Djshortlegg the first dj to teach me how to dj. My sister was confused as to why the whole night I was just staring at the dj (if she was only in my mind lol), I was literally imagining myself mixing, because the way he was mixing the songs was so amazing I was memorized and I had to ask him for his contact information. At first he thought I was trying to request a song and my first question was “What is the name of the equipments he was using and how can he teach me” though he was a little shocked he was open minded and few weeks later started training with him and got my first dj equipments with his help and advice. I started getting interested in November 2015 where @djshortlegg was throwing thanks giving parties city to city and where acrobat was introduced to me was in St. Cloud, MN. I met so many amazing people from different parts of Africa I am talking Nigeria, Liberia, Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Burkina Faso,
Senegal, Kenya and many more so you can imagine the amount of different tunez I am being introduced to and the
rest as me being a Dj is history.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
it was challenging being the 1st Somali female dj, as it not something my community has ever seen even though after me, I inspired many amazing Somali women to dj as well. I just think that at times being the 1st of anything can be uncomfortable and confusing for some, but today celebrated and respected as I never gave up what I love which is the music that’s in me.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a professional dj, a rapper and in the process of learning how to produce. When it comes to music I want to learn everything about it, even playing different instruments and forth. Music comes easy to me and does not feel like work. I am mostly proud of how far I came since I started in 2016 and though it was tough from family/friends not supporting nor understanding, to getting harassed online by some people I still continued as music is my peace of mind regardless of the noise outside or anyone who doesn’t understand my passion or vision for it.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I am a single mother to 2 amazing kings who are 16 and 15 years of age. A lot of people when they see me with them they think I am their sister as they are very tall and handsome. its a beautiful compliment, but that is most shocking to many.
Another is when I come to events, I don’t know why most people are expecting a man (lol), I think it my stage name (dj fawzi) just to see a beautiful women dressed in her cultural clothing rocking the house and can play any genres of music.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/djfawziofficial/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DJFawzia
- Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@djfawziofficial9003
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/djfawzi
