Meet Nii Otoo Mensah, better known as iPhxne DJ, one of Ghana's fastest-rising talents in the music scene. At just 25 years old, he's transformed how people view DJing by electrifying audiences using only his iPhone. From his viral "Cruise Control" mixtapes in 2017 to performing at Boiler Room Accra and sharing stages with Wizkid, Mr. Eazi, Sarkodie, and Davido, iPhone DJ is redefining what it means to be a modern-day DJ in Africa.
In an episode with Wonder Vision Studios, they dive into his story, his hustle, and how he's shaking up the industry with a mobile device and a vision. From SoundCloud success to catching the attention of Idris Elba and guesting on BBC Radio 1 – this is more than music; it's a movement forged from resilience and an unwavering passion. This is more than music; it's a movement forged from resilience and an unwavering passion.
Early Life: A Foundation of Discipline and Drive
Born Nii Otoo Mensah, the man behind iPhone DJ spent his first nine years navigating a world without his parents. He and his older brother, Paa Kwesi, were raised by a babysitter, Auntie Teresa, in Cape Coast, Central Region of Ghana. "Life was hard," he recalls, painting a vivid picture of early poverty. Necessities like pocket money, nutritious food, or even milk were luxuries. "Back in the day, there were no phones," he notes, emphasizing the isolation of their uncompleted house in an area known for charcoal burning.
Dreams of DJing weren't even on his radar then; his sole focus was school. "It was pure poverty," he admits. "We never had no pocket money going to school. We never had any great food and Jollof – all these things still foreign to me, like cereal or milk. Back in the day was Carnation. If you're a Ghanaian, you know what I mean. But Carnation was a luxury to me." He remembers walking long distances to school, knowing that good grades were their only way to avoid "slaps before you sleep" from Auntie Teresa. This strict upbringing, while challenging, instilled in him an invaluable discipline and a relentless drive for academic excellence. "I'm happy to have had growing up was like the pressure to have to study, like learn from books, because that was the only way we're gonna sleep at night without slaps," he reflects.
Without internet or television, his world was limited. He found comfort and a way to express himself through academics and school activities. He joined the cultural group, played in the school league, and excelled in physical education. He even wrote and recited poems in front of his class and the entire school, earning awards. "I was always trying to stay ahead of the society or be cool or considered or heard by being excellent in school," he explains. This early pursuit of excellence became his first "swag point."
He often yearned for his parents, remembering the pure joy of seeing his dad for the first time in Kindergarten 2. These brief encounters, however, would always end in sadness as he returned to Auntie Teresa's house. Despite the hardships, he and his brother persevered.
The First Taste of the Decks
His journey into music began almost by accident in junior high school. At a funfair, the scheduled DJ didn't show up. Their entertainment teacher, Mr. James, asked if anyone could step in. A young Nii Otoo volunteered. Armed with a CD changer, his "DJing" was purely about song selection. He played music for the fashion show models and then for the crowd to celebrate the winner. When he dropped "I Need You Baby" – a massive hit at the time – the crowd went wild. "Everybody was like, happy that I played a joint like that," he recalls, though he notes it "wasn't mixed or scratched or anything." At that moment, he didn't see it as a career, but a seed was planted.
His very religious parents, a deacon and deaconess in their church, pushed him towards learning about computers, believing it was the future. He meticulously learned to type, reaching 50 words per minute. But his musicality truly began to emerge when he discovered an old piano in his compound house. He would play melodies he heard in his head, instinctively figuring out the notes. His dad, hearing good feedback about his playing, encouraged him to play the keyboard for their church, which lacked instruments.
Despite battling stage fright and a struggle with confidence, he embraced the challenge. When he started Senior High School at Aggrey Memorial, after not getting into his preferred St. Augustine's College, he discovered he was the only student in his batch who could play the keyboard. This led him to play for the school choir and at church services, performing in front of the whole school and even at other high schools, where he gained popularity for his energetic performances, including a surprising knack for the "Azonto" dance.
His high school years were dedicated to church activities, free from typical teenage vices. He even had a relationship where he and his girlfriend abstained for four years. This intense focus, coupled with a constant desire to improve, shaped his character.
The Hustle and the iPhone Breakthrough
As smartphones became more common, Nii Otoo found a new hustle: buying and flipping phones. He'd bet on games with friends, save the winnings, and use the money to purchase and resell phones, like a Nokia he flipped for GH¢400 (approximately 4 million old Ghana Cedis). This taught him crucial lessons in financial independence. Even a bike accident on his way to pick up a phone for a deal, which left him injured right before his finals exams, didn't deter him. He pushed through, showing an early sign of the relentless hustle that would define his future.
He initially applied to study Computer Science at KNUST, but without admission, he ended up at the University of Ghana, Legon, in 2013, studying Mathematics, Computer Science, and Economics. This move to Accra marked a significant new chapter. His upbringing, lacking self-esteem and confidence, made him always seek out "high points" and opportunities for self-improvement. "I'm always looking out for like high points in any part of society in terms of like attitude, conduct or social life, like anything to make me a better version of me," he shares. This mindset would prove critical in his DJing career, where he quickly learned to detach from criticism, seeing it as "room for improvement."
His academic journey at Legon was not without its challenges. He struggled with Math, eventually restarting his university education in 2016, this time in the Business School, majoring in Marketing. This shift offered him more flexibility and a social outlet, allowing him to balance academics with his growing entrepreneurial spirit.
During his days in University of Ghana he discovered DJay 2, a paid app he found on a jailbroken app store called AppCake. This app allowed him to mix and record two songs on his iPhone. "The goal was always to create the laptop experience as much as I can from that," he explains. He meticulously experimented, finding cue points and learning to scratch, despite the lack of online tutorials. He would record his mixes and play them loudly in his dorm room, catching the attention of friends who started asking him to share his mixes on WhatsApp and then SoundCloud.
On March 3, 2017, everything changed. A friend insisted he DJ at his birthday party at Paparazzi Bedroom, a club Nii Otoo had never even been to. As a self-described "church boy," the club scene was completely new to him. Overcoming intense nervousness and stage fright, he plugged in his iPhone. The MC's announcement, "This DJ he's about to play music from his iPhone," set the stage for something revolutionary. His set was a success, and the crowd's positive reception relaxed him. Promoters in the club immediately took notice, booking him for subsequent events, including a big all-white party for university students.
From Campus DJ to National Recognition
Despite being told by an established DJ that his "iPhone thing wouldn't work," Nii Otoo persisted. "For some reason, none of those talks just told me to quit," he reflects. He continued to dominate the university party scene, his reputation spreading by word of mouth and Snapchat. He started earning a modest GH¢100.00 per gig in 2017.
A setback in December 2017, when his iPhone 7 Plus was confiscated during an exam, left him without his instrument. But his innate hustle kicked in. He dedicated himself to other ventures, saving up to buy a new phone and even his first car by January 2018.
March 2018 marked a turning point. A call from Bruno at Echo House led to a gig at a major event called "Fast," where he shared the stage with established DJs. It was here that iPhone DJ solidified his unique appeal. He played newly released songs, "Do the Dance" and the "Grind Day" remix, that no one else had, electrifying the crowd. "When I dropped that, everybody was going crazy," he recalls. Echo House, impressed by his fresh approach, immediately put him on every other show they had, taking him on a nationwide tour of Ghana and marked the true beginning of his story.
That same year, he won his first award: Best Campus DJ at the Ghana DJ Awards. Around the same time, his journey led him to Bloom Bar, a popular new spot at that time in Accra Osu. Initially bounced at the door, he eventually got a chance to play a free set, captivating the crowd and the owners. This led to playing for free for three weeks before they offered him a paid residency, starting at GH¢1000 per month. His Friday sets at Bloom Bar became a sensation on Twitter, even though he wasn't active on the platform. "We created crazy moments at Bloom," he says, highlighting how Bloom Bar, as an outdoor gathering place, perfectly amplified his style. He attributes much of this success to the collaborative spirit among the DJs there. "Everybody had a role, and they respected their role... A lot of venues don't get that."
Overcoming Challenges and Earning Co-Signs
Despite his rising profile, iPhone DJ never had a formal booking agent or management team. "Everything I had came through like a referral, like a friend, word of mouth," he explains. He found that most people who approached him were only interested in the money, while he was more focused on perfecting his craft. He learned from observing bigger DJs who had teams, recognizing their importance, but ultimately, he had to forge his own path. "I've had to do every single part of this journey in terms of the craft," he asserts, including handling his own hype. He believes God's hand has been instrumental in his journey, as he's largely navigated it alone.
A significant moment of "wonder" came with the Idris Elba co-sign. Before this, the Boiler Room Accra experience was overwhelming. He found out he was booked only 24 hours before the event, via a DJ group chat. He didn't even know what Boiler Room was. When he arrived to find cameras and a live stream broadcasting to millions, he almost had a nervous breakdown. His set, he admits, wasn't his best due to the anxiety and the criticism that followed, with viewers calling him "trash" and "a shame to the culture." He even received abusive DMs.
Feeling defeated, he posted screenshots of the negative tweets, expressing his exhaustion. It was then that people informed him about Idris Elba's comments. "Why you say you are tired when Idris is out here talking about you," they asked. To his astonishment, a video showed Elba, a DJ himself, talking about a party in Ghana where he saw "this guy called the iPhone" who was "cute." This unsolicited endorsement from a global icon who he didn't know and had no connection to, changed everything. His price for gigs "went up instantly," from potentially GH¢500 for 15 minutes to asking GH¢5000, and getting it.
Wireless Innovation and Connecting with Icons
Driven by a friend's comment about the potential for wireless mobile DJing, he researched how to overcome Bluetooth latency issues, inspired by wireless gaming headsets. He successfully mastered it, allowing him to break free from the traditional DJ booth. "I could be that DJ that could actually play in front of a concert, literally wanting to be a part of the crowd, wave through the crowd and do so much," he explains. This innovation allowed him to offer a unique, immersive experience, reinforcing that his unique talent and the iPhone's capabilities were being recognized.
His musical journey also led to impactful connections, particularly with Wizkid. He first saw Wizkid at a video shoot and later met him casually in Dubai. The real bond formed in December 2020 when Wizkid's team invited him to his apartment in Accra. While chilling, Nii Otoo played a mix he'd made earlier, an "Impact mix" that he felt was good despite being created during a dark, depressed period. Wizkid was captivated, listening song after song. The next day, Wizkid invited him to play music at his beach house, an impromptu six-hour set where Nii Otoo felt comfortable playing his personally curated music. "He actually knows a lot of music too," Nii Otoo recounts, highlighting their shared musical taste. This led to a continuous connection, including his first private jet experience flying to Mali with Wizkid, making him "the first engineer to play Gigi on the private jet." He also traveled to Nigeria, witnessing Wizkid's calculated movements and learning invaluable lessons from the icon.
The Vision Ahead: More Than Just Music
iPhone DJ acknowledges the challenges of DJing, especially in the diverse African music scene where crowds often prefer familiar sounds. Creating a compelling set is like a "betting game," arranging songs in a "story, like a tale." He still experiences anxiety before shows, relying on mental strength to perform. He admits, "I don't consider myself a confident person," challenging external perceptions of his on-stage persona.
Ultimately, iPhxne DJ wants to be remembered as "the first iPhone DJ that took this thing up the roof." His ultimate vision is to be at Tomorrowland, Coachella, at the forefront of a raging crowd, changing the narrative of DJing. He understands that some traditional DJs might not respect his approach, but he remains unfazed. "I'm not here to take your spot. I'm just here to add to this music story or things." He believes he has "so much more that I have coming up that the world is even not ready for."
He emphasizes the importance of positivity, a lesson instilled by his parents: "If this person has done it, you can do it too." He constantly motivates himself, learning from other DJs and striving to improve his own craft. He sees no competition, only inspiration from others who have embraced mobile DJing.
His philosophy extends beyond music: "Always be yourself... and always be down to do better." He embraces imperfections and encourages open communication and a willingness to learn from mistakes. He believes in collaboration over competition, stating, "Let's learn. Let's grow. Let's do better. Let's make money together. Let's break bread and take this the furthest."
"My name is Nii Otoo Mensah. I am your one and only iPhone DJ from Ghana, and I'm grateful to share my story with you guys, and you've just seen and heard the wonders that brought me here today."
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