Singer DJ Cent. (Photo: DJ Cent/Facebook).

Afrobeat singer DJ Cent Mr. No Rest calls himself the biggest brand and an international artiste – whose trip to the commercial city of Dubai is like a trip to Gumbo Sherikat, East of Juba.

The man whose songs continue to dominate airwaves across the country does not disappoint when he holds the mic, and there can be hardly a doubt about what he has achieved so far in a struggling music industry.

Speaking on Eye Radio’s Top 10 Music Countdown last week, the Num Bet Mara hit-maker went as far as likening himself to Nigerian superstar Wizkid, who has won several Grammys.

He also said he has come to realize that he deserves to live the same life as American RnB singer Chris Brown.

According to him, the only problem, which is no longer his problem, is that his country’s people don’t know what they have got. Perhaps until it’s gone.

Mr. Cent says he was only aware of how big of a deal he is, after meeting a Sudanese lady in Zanzibar.

“I was in Tanzania with John Frog, then I left them there and went to Zanzibar on my own mission then in Zanzibar I met this lady and the lady said hey I saw you in South Sudan, you are really doing good. I am going to do something for you,” he said.

“When she went to Dubai, she texted me if I want to go to Dubai. I said I am even on my way to the airport. So, she asked for my passport and I went to Dubai and that changed everything.”

Mr. Cent said the trips to Dubai helped build his music career and unleashed his true value and potential.

Exploitative music promoters

DJ Cent also blasted music promoters in the country for allegedly exploiting the vulnerability and inability of artists to make money out of their songs.

He argues that many promoters undercharge singers who have no choice but to accept the little offer.

Our promoters in South Sudan will put a price of 500 dollars and make it a must for artists to accept.”

“They will say DJ Cent, I am organizing a show, I only have 500 dollars for you. This is the money I have for you, and the Promoter will force you to accept his price because you are vulnerable.”

“Like now I am not after performing in South Sudan and begging promoters for small money to use my talent. No, I need to fix my price for my people and they must work with my price. Not the other way around.” he said.

“It should not be like that. In the other world bro, when you call Wizkid management today, they will tell you 200,000 dollars. That is their price. You cannot tell them your price.

But Cent says he will not be exploited anymore.

“Here in South Sudan, when you say your price, people will say you’re bragging. Anybody who says DJ Cent is bragging, please I am not. I am trying to set my brand from now. Because if I don’t packet myself now, I will fail tomorrow.”

This is how business goes. Any promoter who comes to me, I will judge his caliber and the place he is planning to have the show. So anywhere around Juba or outside Juba, I must start with 1 million South Sudanese pounds because I believe in my crowd.”

He adds: “So, anybody who is coming to DJ Cent, you have to know you are coming to a big brand.”

Mr. Cent says paying artist well will motivate them to work hard and drop good songs.

Unseen during Christmas, New Year festivals

Mr. Cent, who loves social media controversies, was neither seen in many of the December holiday concerts, nor did he perform at the Together for Peace Concert that was graced by Nigerian singing twins P-Square.

When asked about where he had been, he said was invisible in December because he supposed to go to Turkey.

“I was booked to go to Turkey. So, approaching Christmas, the lady who was supposed to take me to turkey lost her child. so I told the people who used to call me for shows around, that I will not be present. It was too late, and I didn’t need to force myself to go for small money because I am a big brand.”

But Mr. No Rest said he has not waste the year 2022 so far, because he traveled Africa and beyond.

“I have moved to so many places, like last year, I went to Uganda, Nairobi, and Tanzania several times, South Africa and Ghana and Zanzibar, and Dubai twice.”

“Dubai is now my Gumbo (Sherikat) Let me tell you, my going to Dubai, I am not the one behind it. It is my people my fans. I am a big brand in South Sudan but my people don’t understand me,” Cent said.

He said the only people who take him seriously are those outside the country.

“People out there are taking that seriously that I am even at the level of Wizkid because when I was in Dubai, I was living the life I have never dreamed of in my life. I was living in the most expensive hotel, buying expensive things, and moving in expensive cars; guards open for me the door and I enter like a president.”

“I asked the (sponor) please don’t bother, nobody knows me here. But she said Dj Cent this is the life you deserve. What is happening to you is that people in your country don’t show you this life, and you can live the same life of Christ Brown.”