"Growth Happens When You Allow Yourself to Evolve in Public" | Sound Controllers: Uncle Bubu [VP.2026 / 007]

Music has always been at the core of Uncle Bubu’s identity, but the shift from playing sound to intentionally controlling it is where the real transformation lies. For the UK-born, Lagos-based DJ and curator, reading a room isn’t about following a rigid tracklist—it’s an intuitive, real-time conversation between the booth and the floor.

In this edition of Sound Controllers, we sit down with Uncle Bubu to discuss how relocating across continents sharpened his creative hunger, the rise of new DJ technologies, and the art of allowing yourself to evolve in public.

Music has always been at the centre of my life. I grew up in a home where it was constantly present. Both my parents loved music, and it became part of my identity from a very young age. Over time, my relationship with music became more intentional. What started as a love for sound evolved into a deeper commitment to understanding how music moves people. My journey hasn’t been linear. It’s been wild, challenging, and eye-opening. But the most important thing is that I’ve remained open to learning and adapting. Every phase has shaped me into a more grounded and intentional artist.

I don’t follow a rigid formula. For me, the process starts with arriving early at the venue and feeling the room before I even touch the decks. I observe the crowd, the mood, the energy, the environment. My goal is to take people on a journey. It’s not just about playing songs, it’s about guiding emotions. I don’t over-plan my sets. I trust my preparation and my instincts. I come with my library ready, my mashups ready, but the real magic happens in the moment. I let the crowd tell me what they need, and I respond in real time.

Connection is everything to me. Beyond DJing, I curate events and build communities, so I’m intentional about making people feel seen and involved. I interact with the crowd, invite people closer to the booth, and create moments that feel shared rather than distant. I’m building a culture around my sound through community, through experiences, and even through merch. When people feel connected to you, they don’t just listen to your music, they experience it with you.

Social media has changed everything. It has shortened attention spans, sped up trends, and made artists and DJs more accessible than ever. The barrier to entry is lower, but the competition is higher. At the same time, it has forced creativity to evolve. Artists now have to think not just about sound, but about how their art lives digitally. With AI and new technologies emerging, we’re only at the beginning of another massive shift.