How would you define success? Try this: twenty two years of age, an event management company of your own that has been involved in events such as Groove Awards, World Social Forum and the Action Conference among others; and having worked with the best in the entertainment industry, including Kijiji’s frontman Kanjii, Homeboyz, and Big Kev.
 
Well, if you were Victor Mbeca, otherwise known as DJ Vic, you probably would.
 
This CEO of Sound For Real and official Hip-Hope DJ is a study in good old hard-earned success. The only boy in a family of four, Vic’s star shined bright even in Primary school. He was exempted from a couple of classes, a move which saw him finish high school at only sixteen. But his desire to get into music was not to be realized soon, as his mum would not let him pursue his dream. He instead got sent off to college, where he spent two years studying hair dressing at Ashley’s Hair and Beauty College, and subsequently worked there. The music in him was screaming to get out, and in the face of remonstrations from his mother he quit Ashley’s after only a few months. Finally, December 2004 saw him join Homeboyz for training, thus beginning the story of DJ Vic.
 
As part of the Homeboyz stable, Vic did the rounds in Nairobi’s clubs and gigs. Yet while he was busy trying to build a career, God was busy tugging at his sleeve. It was in April of 2005 that he joined Kanjii’s Sound Engineering and Production school, around the same time that he hooked up with DJ Kev of Mo Sound Entertainment. He recounts his encounter with Christ;
 
“This day, I’m at home making fries. The TV was on in the living room, and on came Benny Hinn’s show. The words of the song ‘this is your day’ caught my attention, and I said to myself, this is my day. Soon, Benny Hinn was speaking and he said that if you have something you want to ask God for, this is your day. My biggest problem was my eyesight, I used to wear spectacles. I stopped and simply told God I wanted my sight back. He did it!”
 
With such a testimony, it was only a matter of time before Vic gave his life to Christ, and began the process of turning around. He admits it wasn’t easy, but through God’s grace, and with the help of his pastors at Mavuno Chapel, he was able to overcome the challenges of his past and live for God. This also meant that he switch his DJ-ing to the ‘Gospel’ industry. “I realized God would want me to continue using my skills, but now to minister whilst doing it.” The chance came at events such as Spa Fest and the 2005 Groove Awards, where he got his opportunity to spin.
 
The Kijiji trio of Astar, Juliani and Rigga then thrust DJ Vic into the limelight when they invited him in as DJ during the November 2006 Hip-Hope edition. Not only was it a humbling experience for him, it later opened the door for him to become the official Hip-Hope DJ. This, he says has opened his eyes to the new levels he needs to get to. “Hip-Hope keeps me on my toes!” he says, with a laugh. He speaks of the group with a glow, as he explains their relationship and the places he believes they are headed.
 
Vic's appreciation of challenges has kept him in good stead, especially as getting into the mainstream is difficult for a newbie. He points out that the key to beating the challenges of the industry is to work hard at getting better. "How you package yourself really matters. If you’re good at what you do, no one will be able to ignore you for long."   

Yet for all his skill, his dreams stretch much further than the turntables - his company has
already taken up training of DJs as part of its specialties. DJ Vic says that his long term agenda is to have an impact in the lives of young people. Towards this end, he is involved in the Grow House Foundation, which equips youth with leadership skills.
      
With all this activities, DJ Vic has his hands full, at least for the next ten years. Still he finds time to pursue his other passion – cars. He let us in on a secret: Plans are already underway to launch the first Gospel–themed classic cars show! Let's watch out for that!
 
His final words?
 
“Create opportunity. Don’t wait for opportunities to come your way. Create them yourself!”
 
I would listen!

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