DJ Tunez

DJ Tunez is a major force behind the global popularity of Afrobeats and amapiano. He serves as the official DJ for Nigerian pop star Wizkid and his Starboy Entertainment label, and has additionally released hit songs with Wande Coal, Burna Boy, Adekunle Gold, Ashanti, and many others. With projects such as 2023′s Afro Carnival Riddim Vol. 1, Tunez merges dancehall with West African pop styles, while other releases such as the International Arrivals EP series (with D3an) and “Apala Disco” (with Terry Apala) venture into amapiano and Afro-house. Michael Babatunde Adeyinka was born and raised in Brooklyn, and was exposed to numerous forms of African and Caribbean music through his family. He played drums in a church band before he learned to DJ. Ayedinka started mixing at church events before throwing his own parties, starting out in Brooklyn’s African community before gradually spreading out to the rest of New York City, and elsewhere along the East Coast, and eventually throughout the world. Established as DJ Tunez, he was named World DJ at the 2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards, and he became the official DJ of Wizkid’s Starboy Entertainment. He was featured on Wande Coal’s major 2016 hit “Iskaba,” which was named Best Collaboration at the 2017 Nigeria Entertainment Awards. Tunez released several other big singles, including “My Love” (featuring Adekunle Gold and Del B) and 2018′s “Turn Up” (with Wizkid and Reekado Banks). By 2020, Tunez started exploring the emerging amapiano style, releasing Love Language Vol. 1, the first of several EPs with D3an, and singles like “Require” with Olamide. All You Need, a dancehall R&B EP with J. Anthoni, appeared in 2021. Later in the year, Tunez collaborated with R&B star Ashanti and Adekunle Gold on the single “Energy.” In 2022, he released the first two volumes of the International Arrivals series with D3an, exploring the jazzy house side of amapiano. Tunez also released the guest-filled Cruise Control Vol. 1 and Love Language Vol. 2, which featured an apperance from Boyz II Men’s Shawn Stockman. International Arrivals Vol. 3 and 4 appeared in 2023. Tunez also released an EP with Amexin and the Afro Carnival Riddim Vol. 1 collection. Near the end of the year, he released “Apala Disco,” a slower-paced amapiano song with Terry Apala. ~ Paul Simpson