Leonardoddj Is On A Journey To Become The World’s Best DJ

The music industry is made of different entities coming together to make it work. One such entity is the DJ fraternity who have, and continue to play a significant role in the amplification and exploitation of music. In the beautiful country of Ghana, there is a young DJ of same caliber acting as a front-runner in the DJ community.
He began his DJ career as a mere playlist curator and in just some few years, has evolved to carve out a path for himself within the larger music ecosystem. His artistry as a DJ has earned him several accolades and attention. In a conversation with FOURTH AVENEW, Leonardoddj a.k.a the “Soundgod,” shares his background, his inspiration, experiences as a DJ in Ghana and his aspirations.

FOURTH AVENEW: Can you tell us who Leonardoddj is and a little bit about your background?

Leonardoddj: I’m Leonardo, a generally calm and quiet individual though I can be a bit dramatic at times. I lead a simple life without demanding much. I spent my early years in North Kaneshie and moved to Kumasi in the Ashanti Region when I was nine. My childhood was mostly spent indoors, and it wasn’t until Senior High School that I began to venture out more.

F. A.: What was your earliest introduction to music and how did that influence you being a DJ now?

LDDJ: I was surrounded by music growing up. Even though we didn’t have musicians or anything like that in the family, there was always music playing around our home in North K. Anyone who lived there 15-20 years ago would know exactly what I mean. Music was everywhere; at home, outside, it was constant. When we moved to Kumasi, I discovered my Dad’s cassette player and his collection of tapes, and I kept listening to them. I might not have understood half of what I was hearing back then, but it was all about experiencing the sounds. 

F. A.: How accommodating has your family been about you being on a creative pursuit rather than the cliché career path? 

LDDJ: My family has generally been supportive of my creative pursuits although initially, there were some concerns about this unconventional career path. Over time, I’ve come to appreciate their perspective on balancing creativity with stability. Their support has been invaluable and I’m grateful for the freedom they’ve given me to pursue my passion. In fact, my dad even gave me my first folder of music, which means a lot to me.

F. A.: What are some of your fondest memories in your early days as a professional DJ?

LDDJ: It definitely has to be creating my own style. The journey of discovering and developing my unique sound was thrilling. Experimenting with different tracks and remixing songs to create something new was a creative outlet that brought me immense joy.

F. A.: 2023 was obviously a great year for you. Can you share some of your highlights with us? 

LDDJ: 2023 was surreal, like living in a movie. It was a year full of incredible experiences that sometimes made me question reality. My DJ mixes went viral, racking up millions of plays. I had the honor of being booked on one of the biggest stages in Africa and collaborating with highly respected talents and even opening for Bella Shmurda. I also found myself in a TV commercial—talk about unexpected! It was a whirlwind of amazing opportunities and I’m forever grateful for all of it.

F. A.:  That must have been a thrilling experience. Anyway, what is your process like when you are preparing for a set or mix?

LDDJ: My preparation process for a set or mix varies depending on the event. I often imagine myself as an attendee and think about what I’d love to hear if I were in the audience instead of behind the decks. Other times, I trust my instincts and follow the voices in my head—they always seem to guide me right.

F. A.: If you could name 3 of your best sets so far what would they be and why?

LDDJ: Three of my best sets so far? Well, my first iMullar set definitely stands out. It wasn’t perfect—I broke a lot of unwritten rules—but the vibes were unmatched. It felt like I was communicating with the audience through the music, which is a unique experience. Another set I loved was at Front/Back in August, 2023. People often tell me I’m an amazing warm-up DJ, and that night I felt it on a spiritual level. As for the third set, it’s tough to choose because I’ve had so many amazing sets. We’ve truly found joy in those moments!

F. A.: Part of your run last year saw you release some music and you have put out two songs so far in 2024. What influenced that crossover?

LDDJ: I have a deep love for music and over the past couple of years I’ve been learning about the music-making process. Being surrounded by talented musicians inspired me, and we naturally connected and started collaborating.

F. A.: You seem to have a great working relationship with music producer Iyke Parker. What’s your working relationship like and should we expect more music from both of you? 

LDDJ: Mr. Parker is my guy! He’s an incredible producer. We actually have an exciting project coming out soon—a fantastic house project called ‘Heartstrings & Loops,’ featuring amazing artists and DJs from around the world. Stay tuned for more music from us!

F. A.: We are about wrapping up but how will you describe the Ghanaian DJ scene and its relation to Ghana’s music industry? 

LDDJ: The Ghanaian DJ scene is quite interesting. It’s all about being observant and playing your cards right. While I’m not out every night to see it all firsthand, I’ve heard it’s very dynamic. DJs play a crucial role in Ghana’s music industry. Although I wasn’t DJing ten years ago, I know the industry has evolved significantly. Music consumption has changed drastically—from relying on radio and cassettes, moving through the era of internet downloads, to now having easy access to music via streaming services. Even though DJs aren’t the primary source of new music anymore, we still play a huge role in how Ghanaians engage with and consume music by continually finding new ways to share our sound.

F. A.: Well said! We are half way through the year with a few more months to go, what should we look forward to from Leonardoddj?

LDDJ: The next six months are going to be wild! I’ve got a new tape with Iyke Parker coming out soon and I’ve been working on some personal projects that will also be released shortly. I’m excited to connect more with my fans and give them a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like to be a creative. We’re going to find joy together!

F. A.: What final words do you have for anyone reading this?

LDDJ: My final words are: keep being true to yourself and believe in your abilities. Work hard, stay dedicated, and have faith. And to my three loyal fans; thank you! I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who’s supported me. I appreciate you all so much. Love you!