A leap of faith: How Kenyan DJ, Jack Rooster, found success in Europe nightlife

It has been five years since you relocated to Europe. What have you been up to?

Moving to Europe was a leap of faith, but it has opened so many doors for me to share African Electronic Music with global audiences.

Professionally, I’ve been focused on building my sound and presence through DJ residencies at iconic venues like Soho House, Intercontinental, Edition, Mama Shelter, and other Luxury Hotels in Italy.

I am also working with Europe’s leading booking agency, Soulfood Promotions, while performing in other European countries like Spain, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Germany.

This year, I, toured the US, covering six different states from the West to the East Coast. I’ve also been producing music that blends Kenya’s raw energy with the electronic pulse of Europe - my debut album “Nyumba” in 2020 set the tone for projects like “Wamlambez (Remixes)” and “Field Marshal EP”.

I am working on my latest release, “Imani EP,” due out later this year. On the personal side, settling in Rome has been transformative. The city’s history and vibrancy inspire my music daily. It’s a mix of hustle, heart and adapting to new rhythms.

How did you land your first club gigs in such a different cultural scene?

When I moved to Rome in 2020, I started at AfroBeats Roma event agency, where I spun AfroBeats and Amapiano to connect with the club crowds who, back then, were largely unfamiliar with Amapiano and AfroHouse.

I leaned on my “Caffè Mocha” and “Deeper Sounds of Nairobi” reputation built over the years, sharing mixes on platforms like X and Instagram to reach African diaspora communities.

A standout set at AfroBeats Roma caught the eye of a Soho House music talent curator, landing me a residency there. That opened doors to Rome Edition, Hotel Intercontinental, Mama Shelter, and even gigs in Vatican City.

What was it like hyping crowds in Italy and Europe for the first time?

Nairobi crowds are electric - loud, dancing, feeding your energy instantly. In Italy, especially early on at AfroBeats Roma, the vibe was more reserved.

Has your playlist changed?

For sure. In Kenya, my sets were purely AfroHouse with East African anthems and Amapiano. In Italy, house music is more of a staple, so I played more Deep/Soulful House in the mixes as we moved into the night.

As the genre gained popularity, I shifted to AfroHouse-dominant sets at Soulfood Promotion’s events, Soho House and Rome Edition, mixing in deep house, Latin house, and melodic techno for European vibes reminiscent of Ibiza or Amsterdam.

Tracks like “Afrika Disco, " “Mwomboko Santon,” and “Complicated” remain central in my sets. My Kenyan soul still underpins everything.

How many gigs a week are you doing at clubs? Any memorable experiences?

I’m doing two to three club gigs a week. Since moving to Europe, I’ve hit around 15 major festivals and events, like Late Summer Drinks in The Hague, Amsterdam Dance Event, and my Ibiza residency in San Antonio.

The Venice Film Festival 2025 was a true highlight - headlining the only African Electronic gathering at this year’s film festival was unreal. Memorable moment? Dropping “Wamlambez( DJ MT Africa Remix)” in Ibiza and seeing the crowd lose it.

How do clubbing audiences in Italy compare to those in Kenya?

They’re night and day. Kenya’s club scene is communal - Nairobi crowds dance as one, break into random chants, and bring infectious energy. In Italy, at events like Amapiano Experience by Soulfood Promotions, clubbers start cooler, more individualistic, sizing up the music before diving in. Italian venues are polished - fancy decor, dress codes - unlike Nairobi’s raw, gritty spots.

And now to the money, where does it pay more, Kenya or Italy?

In Kenya, the scene has grown; gigs now pay Sh100,000 to 250,000 per night for the more top-tier and experienced DJs, and you can hustle multiple gigs weekly.

Italy’s residencies at Luxury hotels, Boutique venues, Members clubs, and others pay around Sh40,000 per night for 2-3 hour sets, but larger events like weddings and curated festivals can hit up to Sh300,000. Italy’s market is bigger, with more corporate events and brand partnerships, but competition is fierce against European DJs.

What’s next for DJ Jack Rooster?

Beyond music, I want to mentor young African producers and DJs, maybe even start a music academy to pass on what I’ve learned. I am also keen on bringing even more Kenyan artistes to perform in Europe.

What was it like headlining the biggest African Electronic gathering during the Venice Film Festival 2025?

It was a huge honour. The event was a chance to showcase the vibrancy of our sound to a diverse, international audiences. I delivered a set that wove Nairobi’s raw energy with the soulful, melodic vibes I had perfected in Europe, featuring tracks from “Nyumba”, “Wamlambez (Remixes)”, “Field Marshal EP”, and a preview of “Imani EP”. It was about proving that this African sound wasn’t just music; it was a cultural movement.

Your radio show “Caffè Mocha” on HBR 103.5FM and the “Deeper Sounds of Nairobi” music podcast have helped put Kenyan Electronic Music on the map. What role do they play in your work now?

“Caffè Mocha” was my love letter to Kenya’s urban youth for over a decade, and closing that chapter was bittersweet, but it allowed me to focus on new creative paths. The “Deeper Sounds of Nairobi” podcast has been my way of keeping the African House flame alive globally.

Since moving to Europe, I’ve used it to bridge Kenya’s Electronic sounds with international influences, featuring the new African Electronic sounds as they emerge. It’s evolved into a platform that not only showcases my mixes but also tells the story of African electronic music’s growth. I’m proud to keep pushing that narrative, whether I’m in Nairobi or Rome or wherever destiny sends me next.

You recently wrapped up a US tour. What was that experience like, and how did American audiences respond to your AfroHouse sound?

The US tour was electric! I got to see how hungry audiences are for African Electronic Music. They vibed with the rhythms, especially tracks like “Wamlambez” and “Afrika Disco”.

The energy was different from what I experienced in Europe - more raw and curious, like they were discovering something fresh. Sharing stages with artists like DJ Grauchi, Walshy Fire was a full-circle moment for me. It showed me that African sounds are carving out a real space in the global scene, and I’m thrilled to be part of that wave.

How has life in the Eternal City influenced your music and personal life?

Italy is a country of layers - history, art, and chaos all in one. It’s taught me to find beauty in contrasts, which you hear in my music.

The country’s rhythm, from its bustling streets to quiet piazzas, inspires tracks like “Black Rooster” and “Mwomboko Santon”. Personally, my family keeps me grounded; they’re my anchor amidst the craziness of DJ life.

Living as an African in Rome during Covid was tough, but it gave me time to reflect and create. It’s about staying true to who you are while embracing new influences.

How do you juggle being a global DJ with making time for family?

Family is everything to me. They’re my reason to keep pushing. Juggling DJ life with family means a lot of planning - late-night studio sessions after bedtime stories or flying back from a gig to be home for breakfast.

My family understands the grind, but they also remind me to slow down and stay connected. Moving to Europe was as much for them as it was for my career, giving us a chance to experience new cultures together.

Can you give us a sneak peek into what fans can expect from your upcoming “Imani EP”?

It is something special - it’s about faith, hope, and belief in the African spirit. I’m collaborating with some incredible artists (including my firstborn daughter, who the EP is named after), from Kenya and Europe, to create a sound that’s soulful yet dancefloor ready.

Think deep AfroHouse grooves with lyrical storytelling and expert instrumentation. It’s a continuation of what I started with “Nyumba” and “Field Marshal”, but with a more mature, reflective vibe. Stay tuned to my socials for updates.

Parting shot for your Kenyan fans?

Thank you for believing in me from day one. You’re the heartbeat of my music. Keep vibing to that good African Electronic Music, keep telling our stories, and know that I’m carrying Kenya’s spirit with me everywhere I go.

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