Everyone wants to know who he is, not only because he happens to have an irresistibly catchy name, but also because he's the new kid on the prestigious Kubamba Krew block – allow us to introduce to you DJ Johnie Celeb.
 In a true story of determination leading to success, Johnie Celeb has moved from a day-to-day sound man for K-Krew, to getting his fingers on the turn-tables, and doing a mighty fine job of it too. The twenty year-old is raring to top the big leagues as a DJ, and has won the hearts of many with his soft spoken and affable personality, besides his DJ-ing skills.
Born John Njoroge, Johnie spent his early life in the sprawling Kawangware Estate in Nairobi. His early childhood saw the painful disintegration of their family, after his parents separated when he was only five years old. His younger sister went to live with his mother while Johnie was raised by his father, with the help of his aunt who lived in their neighborhood.
DJ Johnie was brought up as a Christian due to the strong influence by his devoted Christian aunt and her son, who was a Sunday school teacher. At a tender age of ten, Johnie gave his life to Christ with his aunt and cousin playing a big role in shaping his spiritual walk.
During his early school life at Gatina Primary School in Kawangware, DJ Johnie was a loyal member of the school's Bible club and also a star student, both in academics and discipline. This good nature did not wane even as he entered teenage and joined Kangemi High School for his secondary education.
DJ Johnie's heart for ministry began to show through right after high school, when he joined Preserving Human Dignity (PHD), a youth organization based at All Saints Cathedral. At PHD, he took part in outreach training, as well as youth camps and conferences. In addition, his involvement with PHD fuelled his strong desire to venture into ministry, especially youth outreach using music, his childhood passion.
In October 2006, a great window of opportunity to venture into music opened for the ardent Johnie when Badilika DJs in conjunction with K-Krew, held a two-week intensive DJ course. Johnie was among the first students to enroll and after the two weeks, he emerged the second best student. He also got a chance to be the DJ during the graduation ceremony, stunning those in attendance with his newly acquired skills.
Donned with fresh DJ-ing skills and a passion to minister to the youth, DJ Johnie started organizing events at Kawangware's All Nations Church, his home church. As part of the Badilika School of Deejaying attachment program, he also got involved with K-Krew's events, which included organizing sound for shows and DJ-ing when the group's lead DJs were absent.
DJ Johnie's initial gigs with K-Krew were the October 2006 K-Rave at Village Market's Club Sikiliza and December 2006's Totally Sold Out, where he was among the team which organized the sound for the two events. After these two shows, he approached DJ Moz and asked if K-Krew could recruit him to be their sound technician, and in February 2007, he officially joined the outfit, both as a DJ and Soundman.
Besides taking part in K-Krew's events, which also involves regular school missions, DJ Johnie is also part of Hope FM's Saturday night show, Kubamba Radio, which is run by K-Krew's DJ Moz, DJ Soxxy and Njugush.
In addition to music, DJ Johnie, who is an energy engineering student at Kenyatta University, spends a huge chunk of his life in outreach programs as a member of Campus Life dance group, as well as a member of Kenyatta University's Christian Union.
DJ Johnie hopes to continue being part of K-Krew and persist in revolutionizing Christian entertainment in Kenya. His desire is to be a God fearing and influential entertainer. He also hopes he will be able to rub off some of his passion for ministry onto the young generation in Kenya. He says, of the lesson he hopes everyone would learn:
“Ensure that you do your best to influence the world with whatever talent God has given you, because the gift you don will take you before kings.”
One more thing – where did the name Celeb come from? Johnie lets us know that he was initially known as DJ JACE (John Anchored To Christ Eternally). However, after he appeared on Kisima Award winner Astar's video for the song In The Name Of Jesus, he was baptized Johnie Celeb (celebrity) by Njugush, K-Krew's witty associate, and the name has stuck ever since.
He wears it well!
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» 3 Comments
1"Big up Johnie"
at Sunday, 13 April 2008 14:44
Maze I can never applaud u enough. First of 4 inspiring wit ur lyf story which is basically the same as mine. U guy you have a talent.Thnx 4 being a major source of inspiration. Now I truly know that there's a lyt at the end of every tunnel. God bless ya alwez.BG.
2Comment
at Wednesday, 09 September 2009 11:25
hi bro stori yako ni asparin 2 sana....... joo mi pia am faced ba dae same reality bt joo hi name yangu sijui nta mke aje 2 a reality.......wacha GOD a prevail
3Comment
at Thursday, 27 May 2010 12:44
your story is amazing ,God bless you and continue to use you
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