Inspiring journey of DJ Virall, leading musical ambassador

James Nwankwo (popularly known as DJ Virall) mission in life is to bring positive vibes to the people wherever he plays. Raised in the tropical climate of the Southwestern part with a mix of South Eastern heritage, he was raised in Ibadan, where he studied music production. From a young age, he fell in love with listening to the radio every night.

A professional DJ since his early teens, a musical ambassador. You name it, He has been there and done it.

With over 15 years of experience in the global music movement. His love and passion for music have taken him across the planet in search of the perfect groove. He’s headlined at major festivals around the world and is known for his ability to tune into the dance floor and deliver an inspiring and memorable journey…

When it comes to energizing a crowd, keeping them on their feet, and making them blur their morals into crazy dance steps, DJ Virall sure knows exactly how to deliver. With his infectious energy and seamless mixes, he has become a crowd favourite at clubs, events, and festivals across Nigeria. Known for his ability to blend popular hits with underground gems, DJ Virall has the unique talent of pleasing both mainstream and niche audiences.

His ability to adapt to different genres and create seamless transitions has earned him a reputation as one of the top DJs in Nigeria. From hip-hop to afrobeat, DJ Virall has the unique ability to read the crowd and deliver an unforgettable experience.

With his impressive discography and shared the stage with some big personalities like the Ooni of Ife, Sucre, Woods and international names like Tflow, FiordeBior amongst others. He has stamped his position as a trendsetter in the Nigerian DJ scene.

Born June 24th, 1989 in Orumba North, Anambra. He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria and completed his Master of Art degree in the Higher School of Economics, Moscow and PHD at the National Research Higher School of Economics (HSE).

James Chike Nwankwo started DJing as a teen. While in secondary school he garnered attention with his sick flows as an MC at Command Day secondary school in Oyo state. Since then, he’s proven himself to be a ubiquitous cultural figure, consistently bridging high and low, mainstream and underground, with remarkable tact and reverence.

He got into house music in the late 2000 and soon began playing club parties. After teaming up with other artists, James landed a record deal and released his debut in 2013. His creative infusion of cultural pop and dance music into his playlist earned him recognition and ushered him into the eastern market in Nigeria.

He continued his rise to the top with his 2023 hit song DOM PERIGNON,” hyping Moscow’s finest Big Boys, including Chico, Eli-Lita, Emmanuel (Aigle), Papasito, Del-Pierro. His record reached the top twenty on some Nigerian Chart.

DJ Virall’s digital footprint, with over 17,000 followers across Instagram, Facebook and Threads social media platforms, attests to his impact and the trust he has garnered within the academia/entertainment community.

And his creativity as a DJ and philanthropic lifestyle, particularly during the challenging times of inflation due to the dollar hike, marked a significant turn in his career. He offered a lifeline to cancer patients, by contributing to their chemotherapy treatment, thereby giving back to the society that birthed and nurtured him.