Q&A with DJ Flowmaster

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10 February 2012 One Comment

Soloman Okal, DJ Flowmaster

By Samuel Getachew

If you happen to wonder into any major African parties in Toronto, chances are it was organized by Solomon Okal AKA DJ Flowmaster. A Toronto resident since 2006, DJ Flowmaster has come a long way from organizing small parties in borrowed spaces to being on the verge of owning his own lounge in downtown Toronto.

Sway catches up with the much loved DJ /promoter as he reflects on beautiful African music, rarely heard in the streets of Toronto when he moved here few years back, now being heard almost daily on commercial stations such as G98.7.

You have been organizing parties since your arrival in Canada about six years ago. What are some of the changes you have observed over the years in terms of the party scenes?

When I moved to Toronto in 2006, I quickly realized that there was a huge opportunity in the African entertainment scene. Once I settled in and found people in my community (Kenya), I organized my first party at Alio Restaurant & Wine Bar, located at 108 Dundas St W, downtown Toronto. There have been a lot of changes in the African entertainment scene in the past few years. We have made strides and it is now common to have African parties at big night clubs like The Vue, On The Rox, La Rumba, just to mention but a few.

African music is also played on a commercial radio station G98.7, courtesy of the voice of Africa MC Bonde every Sunday morning.

You are a very active organizer of African parties in Toronto. What makes each experience unique and different?

We always say, “There is no party like an African party.” This is because Africans appreciate a wide genre of music. At an African party you will dance to lots of music from various African countries, be it East, West, North or South, you will jam to their vibes. Plus Caribbean music, R&B, Hip Hop, House, Dance….. the list is endless. And 99% of the time the parties end with out any incident.

Tell us about the African night party you host at La Rumba Night Club and where is it located.

La Rumba Night Club, which I declared “the home of African music” is located in the west end of Toronto at 31 Beverly Hills Dr. This is the first night club to allow a regular African night. It has been a year and a half since we started and the night has proved to be one of the most popular events for the club. I organize the African night event, which we have dubbed “Temptation Fridays”, with two other promoters: One from Uganda (New Level Entertainment) & Nigeria (Mad haus promotions)

How about the East African Fusion? Tell us about it.

Coming from Kenya and getting my bachelors degree from Uganda, I grew up listening to music from the East African region. So it was just right that I organize an East African event that gives at taste of what East Africa has to offer musically. So at East African Fusion we play music from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda. East African Fusion is held every first Saturday of the month at Alio.

Share with us your new venture with the part ownership of a lounge in downtown Toronto.

Starting a small business is not easy at all. There are a lot of things you have to be prepared for like working every day for long hours. The most important thing is to know your business and do a lot of research about the industry you are getting into. I would also say you have to be very patient; success will not come quickly. Armed with this knowledge, I know the future is bright.