Seven Things to Know About DJ Cuppy

1. Cuppy’s the first international ambassador of the King’s Trust — and she wore a pink gele to meet the King

“I had to represent my culture,” Cuppy tells OkayAfrica, referring to her decision to wear the gele, a traditional headwrap native to the Yoruba people, made from colorful and patterned fabric. “Being appointed ambassador is so interesting and meaningful to me,” adds Cuppy, whose philanthropy extends beyond the King’s Trust and began before her appointment. “I work with Save the Children, Mother to Mother, and I have also collaborated with the United Nations,” she says.

The King’s Trust holds a special place in Cuppy’s heart because, like King Charles, she comes from a privileged background. “He’s put in so much work, which is greatly inspiring. He created this amazing organization solely for underprivileged people, and I identify with that,” says Cuppy. She acknowledges that charity work can often be performative and recognizes the gap that needs to be addressed. Being appointed an ambassador of a trust that has done such transformative work over the years is significant to her. “I want to do transformative work, too,” she says.

2. She didn’t initially set out to make pink her brand

When Cuppy initially set out to DJ in the Nigerian scene, she felt the need to compensate for being a woman. “I don’t want to say pink has been my identity, but it’s been my superpower for so many years,” Cuppy explains. “As a Nigerian woman and DJ, I felt like I needed to over-feminize myself. Hearing ‘You’re a girl, you can’t DJ,’ I decided to over feminize. I wasn’t just going to be a girl who DJs; I was going to DJ in all pink. My hair was pink, my car was pink, and I lived in a pink penthouse.”

When Cuppy turned 30, however, she experienced an internal shift that is now reflecting on the outside.

“I’ve been very vocal about the change and maturity I’ve been coming into,” says Cuppy. “It’s really important for me not to be identified solely by aesthetics and what’s on the outside.” While Cuppy has changed her hair and moved away from the pink brand, she wants people to know that, with or without pink, she’s still the same person — still radiant. “I’m not showing my personality with color anymore,” DJ Cuppy adds. “My personality speaks for itself.”

3. She completed a second masters at Oxford university in 2023

Cuppy admits that balancing her role as a DJ with being a master’s student made for a tough year. “I went into it thinking, ‘Oh, it’s just another master’s—it’s my second master’s.’ But I really had to stretch myself. I was DJ Cuppy at night and a student during the day, and it was hard. I lost myself during that process.”

“I have a love-hate relationship with Oxford University, and I’m very honest about it,” Cuppy says. She was challenged to grow intellectually, and it was as difficult as it was rewarding. “I was surrounded by the smartest people in the country. It made me more curious, being in that space and spending time with young people again. I was the slowest in my class, and it’s the most reading I’ve ever done, but I’m so much better for it.” So much so that Cuppy intentionally chose to do these exclusive pictures shared with OkayAfrica against the backdrop of Oxford University.

“They’re more than just cool pictures to me,” she says. “Sure I’m in my new look, but they also represent me returning to and embracing Oxford University, and celebrating the launch of my foundation.”

This is what Cuppy loves most about Oxford; it’s the first place she’s started her nonprofit foundation, the Cuppy Fund. “It’s a ten-year fund aimed exclusively at underprivileged African students, to pursue their university education, which I’m going to start in New York University,” she says. “Oxford University partnered with me on this initiative.”

4. Cuppy stays dynamically inspired

“What’s so fun for me is that I’m not just an artist; I’m also a DJ, so when I’m not making music, I’m playing it,” she explains. “I find inspiration from other creatives, from their music, and from anywhere. The idea for ‘Jollof on the Jet’ actually came to me while I was eating Jollof on a private jet. I called Rema and he added his touch with ‘Girl, you dey ginger me.’ It was a very collaborative process.”

For Cuppy, inspiration is dynamic and often comes from collaboration. “I draw inspiration from everything, anywhere, and everywhere.”

5. She DJ’ed at the UN General Assembly

“This year, I spokeand DJ’ed at the United Nations General Assembly,” she says, describing it as a "wow moment." “It was such a proud and inspiring experience for me,” adds Cuppy, who spoke about her motivation, her graduate studies, and her hopes for young people to secure more education.

6. She got a verse from Wyclef Jean

“This was so unexpected,” Cuppy recalls. “On my 2020 album, I had a track called ‘Wale.’ I loved the song, but felt it was missing something. There was a part where I spoke Yoruba, and I used a melody from Wyclef Jean’s ‘Perfect Gentleman.’ I remember telling my producer, ‘We need to clear this with Wyclef.’” By this, Cuppy meant contacting Jean’s publishers to resolve the copyright issue. “Then someone suggested, ‘Why don’t you ask him to do a verse on the track?’”

Initially amused by the idea, Cuppy reflects, “I thought, we’re talking about Wyclef Jean, a three-time Grammy winner. But you know, sometimes you have to ask for what you want. I had messaged many people in the past without success. Wyclef was like, ‘Cuppy, it would be an honor.’ He sent me his verse within a day. He’s so musically inclined; he doesn’t mess around.” The validation Cuppy felt was incredible. “It’s such a standout moment in my career, it meant so much to me,” she says.

7. She’s returning with new music and a secret star feature

“Without saying too much, I’ve been in the studio,” Cuppy reveals. She might be working on a record with American rapper Swae Lee, who tweeted at her earlier this year. “A few people spotted us together in Lagos, so that’s what that was about, and it’s been really interesting.” Cuppy teases, “There’s a big Nigerian artist on the song as well, but I’m not going to tell you who.

“I’m so excited to get back into music,” she adds. “I’m also excited to return home this summer.”