DJ YK is a Nigerian disc jockey who gained prominence for his beats which feature sparse vocals and prolonged instrumental that most people find hard not to dance to whenever they come up. Although his beats may sound crude, they’ve become go-to soundtracks for viral challenges on TikTok and Instagram. In this article, we’ll discuss the biography of DJ YK, starting from his childhood days in Ogun State to his illustrious career as a disc jockey and music producer. Read on to learn about his age, education, career, net worth, and more.
The biography of DJ YK would be discussed below:
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Early Life and Education
DJ YK’s real name is Olayinka Lawal. DJ YK was born into a Muslim family on August 27, 1993, in the Sango Ijoko area of Ogun State. He’s a native of Sango Ijoko and there he obtained his elementary and secondary school education. After completing secondary school, DJ YK enrolled in Tai Solarin College of Education where he received tertiary education.
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Age
DJ YK was born on August 27, 1993, so he would turn 30 years old by August 27, 2023.
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Career as a Disc Jockey
As a teenager growing up in Ogun State, DJ YK enjoyed listening to songs of Nigerian artists at the time who used crude and vulgar lyrics in fast-paced songs, such as Terry G, SideOne, DreSan, and more. This would influence the kinds of beats he made in the future.
DJ YK’s foray into the music industry started in 2013. Before then, he used YouTube to learn how to DJ and produce music. He started as a jockey, but after he couldn’t make enough money from being a DJ, he decided to try his hands at music production. And later on, he relocated to Lagos State.
In 2017, DJ YK became an internet sensation when his beat titled South African Beat Style became viral across social media cyberspace in Nigeria as well as among youths on the streets. The South African Beat Style was a catchy and melodic instrumental that had no vocals. However, the success of the South African Beat Style didn’t translate to DJ YK gaining relevance in the Nigerian mainstream music industry. But the recognition he gained from the virality of South African Beat Style made it possible for DJ YK to perform in concerts headlined by top Nigerian artists such as Mayorkun, Reekado Banks, and Mr. Eazi.
When DJ YK’s South African Beat Style began to receive mainstream attention, he rechristened it Dance and released it in 2019. Later that 2019, he dropped his first body of work titled The Face Vol. 1 which consisted of nine tracks and no features.
In 2020, he uploaded a street dance video on YouTube for Dance. In a bid to appeal to a wider audience and evolve further, DJ YK began to embed viral buzzwords in his instrumentals. This worked as it further elevated his profile as he had envisioned. Now, you don’t just hear DJ YK’s beats played only in the ghettos of Lagos and other cities, but also in high-brow lounges and nightclubs.
DJ YK is independent, that is, he is signed to his record label. He uses his social media pages on Instagram and TikTok, as well as YouTube to promote his beats. And he’s been recording substantial success as his beats are commonly used as soundtracks for many viral challenges on Instagram and TikTok. In addition, DJ YK has put up his beats on Apple Music, Spotify, and other digital streaming platforms.
Aside from being known as a DJ who makes beats that get people quick to move their feet in euphoria, DJ YK also produces music for some artists. He’s worked with artists like Terry G, Burna Boy, Dammy Krane, QDot, and Danny J.
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Discography
DJ YK, also known as DJ YK Beats, or DK YK Mule, is known to introduce his beat mixtapes with a trademark catchphrase, “DJ YK Mu Le”.
Here is a list of music beats that DJ YK has produced throughout his career as a disc jockey:
- Akuchukwu Dance
- Fuck Off
- Shekere & Banjo ft. Lil Kold
- Now You’re Talking
- Yarabemo
- Omo Elewa
- Issakaba
- Winchi Winchi
- Organize Dance Beat
- Mother Her Mother
- Ewoke Eweye
- Plain Cruise Beat
- Gbe Obosita Beat
- Soye ft. Dammy Krane
- Your Toto Cruise Beat
- Bunch of Women
- Emi Lo Kan
- Davido Cruise Beat
- Nobody Badder ft. Bola Mane
- 25 Hook Up
- 2Some Cruise
- E Sare O
- E Sare O Beat (TikTok Music)
- Marlians Loko Iyawo
- Oniduro Dance Version
- Fuck Up Dance ft. DJ Samkay
- Who Dey Dance ft. Jamokay
- Gentility Virus
- Omuu Cruise Beat
- Bella Cruise Beat
- Why Did You Stop? ft. Oxlade
- Popoye Cruise
- Zazu Beat
- Zazu Beat (Remix) ft. CDQ & Portable Trabaaye ft. De Owo Junior
- Shatta Cruise
- Polytechnic Cruise Beat (Instrumental)
- Dildo Cruise Beat
- Warisi Cruise Beat
- Tintok Cruise Beat
- Focus Beat ft. Hagman DC
- Kenya Loud (Nairobi Cruise Beat)
- Party Time Vol. 1
- Shomu Folo Folo ft. Gonaiiji & GJ
- Cram (Dance Version) ft. Jaido P
- Danda Beat (Instrumental) with Areafatheruk
- Loan Cruise Beat
- UrFada Beat ft. DaPop
- You Dey Gas Beat (Instrumental) ft. DaPop
- Shishi ft. Okuwa Dolarz
- 24 Hours Beat (Instrumental)
- Tiktokers
- You Gerrit Beat ft. Bundle
- Transfer Cruise Beat
- Trap Lanje Beat
- Tunde Ednut Dance Beat
- Off the Light
- 4Beats Freestyle ft. Evakid BTC
- Yuh Bad ft. Carter
- Dorime Dance Beat (Instrumental)
- Unknown Gun Men
- Smart Work (Remix) – Lil Smart ft. DJ YK
- Masun – Swags ft. DJ YK
- Tule Remix ft. Chinko Ekun
- Basiri Mi (Amapiano)
- Ayewada Madasi
- KPK (We Mueve)
- Tule (Dance Beat) ft. Davido
- Energy – DJ Lisa ft. DJ YK
- December to Remember (The EP)
- Mortal Dance Beat
- Masa Dance
- Werey Dance
- Soro Soke Werey
- Soja Beat
- South African Beat Style
- Odo × Electricity
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Net Worth
DJ YK earns most of his income from music, by being a disc jockey and a music producer. His estimated net worth is between $50,000 and $80,000. This figure cannot be independently verified, though.