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In the vibrant world of Nigerian entertainment, few figures embody transformation quite like Kudirat Gbemisola Salami, better known as DJ Kulet.
As the pioneering female fuji DJ in Nigeria, this Lagos-based sensation has spun tracks that blend infectious Afrobeat rhythms with soul-stirring gospel vibes, captivating audiences from underground clubs to major festivals. But behind the turntables and the glitz of her recent high-profile gigs lies a deeply personal narrative of youthful rebellion, spiritual warfare, and triumphant redemption.
In a raw and revealing interview on the Wasila Coded Podcast, DJ Kulet peeled back the layers of her past, sharing how her early struggles with temptation paved the way for her unshakeable faith and meteoric rise in the DJ industry.Born and raised in the bustling streets of Lagos, DJ Kulet's journey into music wasn't always illuminated by spotlights and sequins. Reflecting on her formative years, she confessed to a phase of mischief that many might recognize as a universal rite of passage for adolescents testing boundaries.
"When I was small, I used to steal. Between 12 and 14, I’d sneak into my mom’s friend’s house, take her gold, and sell it,"
she admitted candidly during the podcast. This wasn't an isolated incident but part of what she describes as an inevitable "stealing phase" that spares no one—not even the children of pastors, imams, or affluent families. "No child skips that stealing phase not even pastors, imams, or rich kids. It’s just a stage every kid goes through," Kulet emphasized, framing it as a fleeting developmental hurdle rather than a defining flaw.Her nocturnal escapades added another layer to this rebellious streak.
Kulet revealed herself as a self-proclaimed "night crawler" and "good customer" to the local securities, who became all too familiar with her midnight hustles. "I was also a proper night crawler, a 'good customer.' All the area securities knew me back then because I only moved at midnight, running my numbers. (Maybe that’s why I’m a DJ today.)" This shadowy routine of late-night schemes, which she likened to "running numbers" in a nod to street-level entrepreneurship gone awry, foreshadowed the rhythmic pulse that would later define her career.
The constant thrill of the dark hours, she mused, might have subconsciously tuned her ear to the beats that echo through the night—beats she'd one day master as a professional disc jockey.Yet, as her antics escalated, so did the community's exasperation. Neighbors and family reached a breaking point, confronting her with a stark ultimatum: "In the end, everybody got fed up and told me, 'Do whatever you want with your life.'" It was a moment of reckoning that could have derailed her entirely. But for DJ Kulet, divine intervention stepped in like a bass drop at the climax of a track. "Jesus fought that stealing battle for me, and it’s history now," she shared, her voice laced with gratitude.
She attributes this pivotal shift to a profound spiritual awakening, viewing her trials as targeted attacks from darker forces. "The devil saw I was a glorious child, so he tried everything to trap me with those habits, but God won." This testimony underscores her core identity as a "DJ Belonging to Jesus Christ," a moniker she proudly claims in her bio and performances, where gospel-infused fuji sets uplift crowds with messages of hope and deliverance.The pseudonym "DJ Kulet" itself carries a whimsical origin, rooted in familial affection.
It stemmed from a playful nickname bestowed upon her by the son of her grandmother's friend—a simple, endearing tag that evolved into a brand synonymous with energy and authenticity in Nigeria's male-dominated DJ scene. Since adopting it around 2018, Kulet has shattered barriers, becoming the first woman to fuse traditional fuji music with modern electronic elements.
Her sets at events like the Lagos Gospel Fest and collaborations with artists such as Sinach and Frank Edwards have amassed hundreds of thousands of streams on platforms like SoundCloud and YouTube. Tracks like her remixes of "Way Maker" and original fuji-gospel hybrids showcase her innovative style, earning her a loyal fanbase that spans churches, clubs, and social media, where her Facebook page boasts over 350,000 followers.DJ Kulet's story, however, extends beyond the decks into realms of personal fortitude and advocacy. Her Wasila Coded Podcast appearance, hosted by the insightful Wasila, delved deeper into her holistic growth—from navigating financial hardships during her education, as highlighted in recent posts, to her brief but tumultuous marriage in 2024. The lavish Lagos wedding to Ohis Emmanuel, which trended with viral clips of her lighthearted banter with bridesmaids, unraveled after just eight months amid allegations of infidelity and child molestation.
In a bold public statement, Kulet disassociated herself from her ex-husband, citing his "egregious and reprehensible actions," including claims of abusing a minor under their roof. This scandal drew swift intervention from the Lagos State Government, which launched a probe and reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy on violence and abuse.Through it all, Kulet emerges not as a victim, but as a beacon of resilience.
"I was reaped by three men but I didn't find it painful but my crashed marriage was so painful," she poignantly reflected in follow-up discussions, alluding to past heartbreaks that paled in comparison to her recent dissolution.
Her willingness to "see something, say something" has sparked conversations on child protection, echoing campaigns like #JusticeForOchanya and inspiring women in entertainment to prioritize self-worth over societal pressures.Today, at 32, DJ Kulet stands taller than ever, her story a testament to the redemptive power of faith in the face of adversity.
As she continues to drop beats that heal and hype, from Sky's Home Bar grooves to international tours, she reminds aspiring DJs and survivors alike: persistence and purpose can turn midnight shadows into morning light.
In a landscape where SEO-driven searches for "Nigerian female DJs," "gospel fuji music," and "DJ Kulet biography" surge, her narrative not only optimizes visibility but also ignites real change—one spin at a time.
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