DJ Sose—born Thomas Amar-Aigbe on June 5, 1981, in Ibadan, Nigeria—is a Nigerian-Hungarian disc jockey, music producer, and sound engineer renowned for his eclectic musical style and distinctive facial tattoo .
Early Life and Education
Raised in a musically inclined family, DJ Sose’s father hails from Edo State, Nigeria, and his mother is Hungarian. His stage name, “Sose,” is derived from his Esan tribal name “Soseneyayi,” meaning “Bear Witness” .
He pursued higher education in the United Kingdom, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Business Information Systems from the University of Hertfordshire and a Diploma in Film & Video Production from Cavendish College, London .
Career
After a brief stint in the IT industry, DJ Sose transitioned into the music scene, showcasing versatility across genres like Afrobeat, jazz, classical, hip-hop, rock, and EDM. He has performed at major events, including the grand finale of Big Brother Naija, and is affiliated with Gray Tiger Entertainment .
His discography features tracks such as:
- “Natasha” (featuring Mr. Raw, Deolu Shogon, and General Pype)
- “Arike” (featuring Ade Piper and Deolu Shogon)
In 2013, he released the animated music video “Obulu” (“Thank You”) through RZ Animations .
Awards and Recognition
DJ Sose’s accolades include:
- Best World DJ Nominee at the 2008/2009 Nigerian Entertainment Awards
- Best Male DJ of the Year Nominee at the 2009 BEFFTA Awards
- Recognition in Channel O’s “Top 10 Most Turnt Up DJs in Africa”
Personal Branding
To distinguish himself in the industry, DJ Sose adopted a facial tattoo as a unique identifier. He explained:
“My face tattoo is my trademark—a marketing strategy to make me stand out. In the beginning, I kept getting mixed up with another DJ who was also mixed race and looked like me. We had similar mixing styles too. I had to figure out a way to stand out from the crowd. This is my calling card. You can forget my name but you can never forget my face.”
His personal motto, “Smile Over Sorrow Everyday,” reflects his positive approach to life and music .
Personal Life
In May 2018, DJ Sose married his longtime partner, Olamide, in a ceremony attended by family and friends. Notably, he temporarily removed his facial tattoos for the traditional wedding but reinstated them for the white wedding. The couple welcomed a daughter in 2020 .
Connect with DJ Sose
- Instagram: @DjSoseOfficial
- Twitter: @DjSose
DJ Sose continues to influence the Nigerian and international music scenes with his innovative style and commitment to his craft.