Merqury Quaye Redefines the DJ Game

Founder of the Guinness Ghana DJ Awards, Merqury Quaye, has offered rare insight into the business, politics and pressures behind Ghana’s DJ culture ahead of the 13th edition of the awards. Speaking on Culture Daily’s Big Convo, he addressed longstanding industry concerns, including payola, fairness in award rankings, the evolution of DJ roles and the increasing attempts by influential figures to influence outcomes.

Touching on payola, Merqury dismissed the idea that only radio DJs engage in such exchanges, describing it as an industry-wide reality that is often misunderstood.

According to him, even independent DJs deserve compensation, especially when they invest personal resources into equipment, data and professional appearance.

“People are ready to pay influencers, but they’re not ready to pay the DJs. It’s general, but they make it look like it shouldn’t be so.”

He argued that the conversation around payola should be grounded in honesty rather than pretence, as DJs play a direct role in music visibility and nightlife culture.

The conversation also touched on the evolution of “spinners” the old-school DJs who once dominated weddings, outdoor jams and community events.

Asked whether they still exist as a category, Mercury revealed that the Ghana DJ Awards modernised the name to Mobile DJ of the Year to reflect refinement and professionalism.“We don’t want to see too much of what we have known as the spinners' thing. We want to see more refined DJs who look as good as the guests at the event.”

One of the most revealing moments came when Merqury admitted that powerful individuals often try to influence the results. “I have never said this. The kind of people who contact me wanting wins for their sons or boys… even offering cars.” 

He added that resisting these offers is part of what has preserved the credibility of the scheme: “If today someone gets what they want because they’re connected, tomorrow another person will demand the same. In three years, the awards will lose value.”

Merqury attributed the award’s longevity to strict internal structures that protect the process from external manipulation.

Breaking down the decision-making system, he explained that the DJ Awards rely on three pillars: The Board – 40%, the Public – 40% and the Academy (industry stakeholders) – 20%.

Categories like People’s Choice are 100% publicly determined, but the majority of awards balance both expertise and popularity.

Merqury stressed that the model prevents the competition from becoming a “rich man’s game,” where one person can buy votes and secure a win.

The DJ Awards also run a nationwide Pop Fest to discover emerging DJs across all regions. Merqury highlighted several standout talents unearthed during the initiative: DJ Sonatty, DJ Stiga… He described them as the “next big future” of the industry. 

Reflecting on 12 successful editions and the leap to the 13th, Merqury said his biggest reward is watching DJs embrace professionalism and find global opportunities.“Seeing the same DJs who didn’t believe it was possible now getting brand deals, better pay and international features, that is the real fulfilment.”

He recalled moments like receiving first-time emails from YouTube and the Bill Gates Foundation to collaborate with DJ Switch, describing them as major milestones.

Last year’s event drew overwhelming numbers, prompting questions about how the platform sustains such crowds without relying on celebrity performers.

Merqury revealed that the event’s success is intentionally built on brand love, not performance hype: “People don’t even ask who is performing. They come for the Ghana DJ Awards.” 

This year’s tickets are going for GH₵200 and GH₵500, with attendees receiving full food and drinks equivalent to the ticket value and a standout feature for 2025: The best-dressed guest wins a stay at Aqua Safari.

From the politics of payola to the integrity of award systems and the transformation of DJ culture, Merqury Quaye’s Big Convo appearance offered a rare look into the machinery behind one of Ghana’s biggest entertainment institutions.

As the Ghana DJ Awards celebrates its 13th edition, the event continues to evolve still rooted in credibility, still building stars and still championing the future of DJing across the country.