Photo: Courtesy
DJ Berry is remembered across Uganda and parts of the East African region as one of the early personalities who helped define the sound and energy of FM radio in the 1990s.
Known for his lively presentation style and influence on urban youth culture, he became a familiar voice during the formative years of private broadcasting in Kampala.
Born Abdul Aziz Nsabimana in Rwanda, DJ Berry built his early career in music and radio before crossing into the wider East African media space.
He worked as a DJ and presenter in Kigali, performing in entertainment venues and engaging with the growing underground music scene that was beginning to embrace hip-hop and contemporary urban sounds.
During this period, he was associated with early efforts to popularise hip-hop in Rwanda, both as a performer and as a radio personality.
His work placed him among a small group of entertainers who introduced modern youth culture at a time when the genre was still developing across the region.
His activities in radio and performance later pushed him beyond Rwanda’s borders as he sought wider opportunities.
DJ Berry later moved through the Great Lakes region and eventually established a presence in Uganda’s emerging FM radio industry.
He became one of the early voices at Capital FM in Kampala after its launch in the mid-1990s. His programme style was fast-paced, energetic and closely connected to the tastes of young urban listeners who were experiencing FM radio for the first time.
His show segments were marked by distinctive jingles and a dynamic presentation style that set him apart from more traditional broadcasters.
Listeners quickly associated his voice with a new era of radio entertainment that combined music, personality-driven hosting and youth-focused content.
He also performed as a DJ in Kampala’s nightlife scene, further strengthening his influence in the entertainment industry.
DJ Berry’s contribution extended beyond radio presenting. He was also involved in music production and performance, with tracks that circulated within regional entertainment circles.
His style reflected the early fusion of African urban music with global hip-hop influences, making him part of a generation that shaped the direction of East African contemporary music culture.
Despite his rising profile, his career was marked by frequent movement across countries, reflecting both opportunity and instability in the regional entertainment industry at the time.
Reports indicate that he later returned to Rwanda, where he continued engaging with music and performance before his life was cut short in the mid-1990s.
He is reported to have died in 1996 from illness, bringing an early end to a career that had already made a noticeable impact in both Rwanda and Uganda.
His death was felt within the small but growing network of radio presenters and musicians who had worked with him during the early FM era.
Today, DJ Berry is remembered as part of the foundation of modern radio culture in Uganda. His work helped shape the identity of FM broadcasting during its early years and contributed to the rise of youth-oriented entertainment media in East Africa.