Mayowa-Lasisi Akolade: The Fast-Rising DJ with a Pulse on Afrobeats

Born on January 29th and hailing from Epe, Lagos State, Mayowa-Lasisi Akolade PKA DJ Conda is a name steadily gaining traction in the Afrobeats scene. Currently the official DJ for Chopilos by Slippery, Mayowa-Lasisi has spun tracks for some of the industry’s brightest rising stars, including Wadude, Liya, YKB, Trench Boy, and Logos Olori. With celebrity co-signs from the likes of Davido, Mayorkun, Peruzzi, Kida Kudz, and more, he’s solidified his place as a go-to talent in the DJ world.

But Conda isn’t just stopping there. As the CEO of the clothing brand CITN, he’s proving himself to be a multi-faceted creative. His mixtapes, which have garnered over a million streams across all major platforms, reflect his ear for sound and ability to connect with audiences. He’s also taken his talents to YouTube, launching his own Mix series, and has hinted at upcoming music projects featuring some of Afrobeats’ most talked-about artists. With so much on his plate, he is a DJ to watch, as he continues to make waves both in music and fashion.

But how does it feel to get recognition from such big names? Conda reflects on his first encounters with these stars.

“To be honest, when I met them, I was at work. I just had to maintain my steeze and composure,” he recalls. “The first time I met Peruzzi, I was actually playing. He came to do a listening party for one of his songs. I had to keep working because I couldn’t leave my stand to go meet him, but he walked up to me himself and said, ‘You are so good, nice work.’ That was just it. Even when I met Davido, he did the same thing.”

For many DJs, meeting these celebrities can feel surreal, but for Conda, professionalism always comes first. He goes on to share a memorable experience where he had the chance to hang out with Peruzzi at work multiple times. “He just came to chill with me,” he says, showing how organic these connections can be.

Of course, not every wild moment happens behind the decks. One of DJ Conda’s most memorable experiences came outside the booth at a different venue.

“It was when I met Davido at Quilox. I finished playing at Chopilos and went to Quilox to chill. They brought him to my table. I was really amazed and surprised that he was at the same spot as me, but later, I realized these guys are just humans like us—they’re just popular and have a lot of security around them.”

Though he’s played for several rising stars, DJ Conda refuses to pick a favorite moment from his collaborations with artists like YDX, Liya, and Logos Olori. Instead, he shares his love for the experiences as a whole.

“I won’t say I have a favorite one, but I enjoyed playing at all their sets. They are all great artists.”

As DJ Conda continues to make waves in the Afrobeats industry, one thing is clear—he’s not just a DJ for the stars; he’s becoming a star in his own right.

YouTube Mixes, Fashion, and Dream Collaborations

As DJ Conda continues to carve out his niche in the music industry, his innovative YouTube Mix series has become a major hit. But what inspired him to start this journey? Conda explains that it’s all about creating easy access for his listeners.

“I just started this mixtape series on YouTube, focusing on Amapiano and Afrobeats,” he says. “Instead of using Audiomack or Apple Music, if you have a smart TV, you can just search DJ Conda on YouTube.” His approach is all about convenience and connection, and he has big plans on the horizon. “I actually have plans to tour Nigeria. I hope it works out.”

Beyond music, DJ Conda is also the CEO of CITN, a clothing brand that’s been making waves in fashion. He sees a clear link between his love for both industries.

“One piece of advice I got when I started working at Chopilos was to dress the way I want to be addressed,” Conda shares. “So, I dressed well and coined a nickname for myself: ‘the Steeze DJ.’ Then I thought, if my style is being noticed, why not go into producing my own designs and selling them?” And so, CITN was born, combining Conda’s creative flair with his entrepreneurial spirit.

As someone who thrives on creativity, DJ Conda also dreams of playing alongside some of his favorite artists. When asked who he’d most like to perform with, his answer comes with a chuckle.

“Travis Scott,” he says without hesitation. “Before, the song I’d open with would have been ‘Highest in the Room,’ but now it’s going to be ‘Active.’ That’s my all-time favorite artist.”

Of course, Conda has deep respect for Afrobeats, too. “I love Afrobeats artists, don’t get me wrong. I can’t even pick one out of the three big dogs: Wizkid, Davido, and Burna Boy. I hope to be on the same stage with them one day.”

For DJ Conda, the key to making these dreams a reality is simple: “Consistency is key.”

From Civil Engineering to the DJ Booth—The Story of an Afrobeats Star in the Making

With several celebrity co-signs under his belt, DJ Conda, whose real name is Mayowa-Lasisi Akolade, is making waves in the Afrobeats scene. But which recognition surprised him the most? Conda points to Peruzzi, the Afrobeats sensation.

“I guess it was Peruzzi,” Conda reflects. “The same day he saw me, he followed me on Instagram. I don’t know if he searched my page or someone showed him, but I noticed he followed me even before he walked up to me, and he reposted one of my videos on his IG story.” It was an unexpected but thrilling shout-out for the rising DJ.

In his free time, DJ Conda prefers to keep things low-key. “Sleep and eat!” he laughs. “I like playing snooker too. I’m always indoors; I rarely party unless it’s work. I’m an indoor person.”

Balancing his DJ career with his studies in Civil Engineering at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) has been no small feat. Conda admits the journey was tough.

“It’s not easy, but then once you start, just finish,” he advises. “A lot of times I thought of dropping out or switching to another department, but once you start something, just finish it—don’t be a loser, that’s just it.” Despite discovering his passion for DJing after his first year at OAU, Conda was already deep into his Civil Engineering program. “When I got to 400 level and started my Industrial Training (IT), I also began working at Chopilos, and that’s when the thoughts of dropping out really started sneaking in. But I just felt like I should do my best and finish up.”

Traveling for gigs and rushing back to school for tests wasn’t easy, but Conda made it work. He is grateful for the experiences that shaped him along the way.

When asked what fans might not know about him, Conda keeps it real. “I’m just a free person. Like I said about these celebrities—we’re all human beings. If you see anyone you want to talk to, just walk up to them. You don’t have to be jumping around just because they’re celebrities. This life is a free world.”

Looking back, DJ Conda shares a bit of his personal story. “My name is Mayowa-Lasisi Akolade. My surname is a compound one—‘Lasisi’ is a big name in Epe, my dad is Mayowa. I was born and bred in Lagos, Ketu to be precise. I got admission to OAU in 2017 and moved to Ile-Ife. That’s when I started my career.”

DJ Conda has played at several events on OAU’s campus, including the OAU Awards organized by Hotinc in 2019. “I stopped playing at events in OAU after COVID,” he says. “You know, let the young ones grow. There are big DJs in OAU now, so I just had to leave the stage for them. Also, I had bigger stages already; I was working in Lagos, but in 2019, I was just in 200 level and coming up.”For aspiring DJs, Conda offers simple but powerful advice: “Consistency is key, work hard, and pray. Don’t forget God—pray o!” he emphasizes, underscoring the importance of faith in his journey.