Early Life
Bobai Balat, popularly known as DJ Bally or Bally B., is a Nigerian disc jockey, record producer, voiceover artist, and reality TV personality. He was born on October 4, 1988, in Kaduna, Nigeria.
Growing up with three elder siblings who loved music, Bally absorbed a wide range of musical influences early in life. At the age of 10, he moved to Abuja, where he attended Loyola Jesuit College. He started university in 2006 at Purdue University, USA, before transferring to the American University of Nigeria. While at Purdue, a Nigerian rapper introduced him to FL Studio, sparking his interest in music production and DJing. He began volunteering as a DJ at local spots around Chicago, gaining experience and building confidence.
After transferring back to Nigeria, Bally became the go-to DJ on campus and in the surrounding community. He ran a studio from his dorm room, producing and engineering tracks for fellow students while saving up for more equipment. Drawing from ‘80s soul, hip-hop, Makossa, and electronic synth music, he developed a unique sound.
Career
DJ Bally launched his music career by organizing and DJing campus parties. He later joined Aristokrat Records, known for launching Burna Boy, and collaborated on Afro-infused remixes of international hits. His debut single “Ali” (2015) featured MoJeed and Sute.
Known for pushing boundaries, Bally produces mashups and remixes that blend Afrobeats with EDM, creating a genre-fluid, experimental sound. His “Mash-Up Mondays” series airs weekly on The Beat 99.9 FM, showcasing new music and production ideas.
He has held DJ residencies in clubs across Nigeria and the UK, including Grotto Fashion Club (Abuja) and Gatecrasher Club (Nottingham). He also tours, playing alongside some of Afrobeats’ biggest names.
Bally explored music and film simultaneously, performing in school plays before enrolling at the Royal Arts Academy after university. In 2017, he joined Big Brother Naija Season 2, where he became the 5th runner-up.
While still on the show, fans launched the Bally Rally Movement, which he later transformed into a youth-focused initiative promoting peace and empowerment through music. The movement now runs two programs: Bally Rally Outreach and Bally Rally Party.
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