Steve Nyausi, widely known as DJ Shinski, has come a long way from his formative years in Kenya to becoming a popular deejay in the United States. Hailing from a family that moved to the US in 2007, Shinski’s journey is a testament to the power of pursuing passion despite challenges. In a candid interview with the Mic Cheque podcast, Shinski reflected on his life before becoming a spin master and why he chose deejaying over the more traditional career path of engineering.
Born in Kenya, Shinski’s family won a Green Card in 2007, which led to a major relocation to the United States. At the time, Shinski was almost done with his Form Four studies, a critical period in the Kenyan education system. Moving to the US was a significant change for the 18-year-old, as he found himself in a new environment with a different educational system, culture, and language. Speaking about this transition, Shinski said, “I left when I was 18, around 2007. My mum won a green card so the entire family relocated.” The move was not just a geographical shift but also a cultural one, introducing Shinski to a world of new experiences and challenges.
Upon arriving in the US, Shinski embarked on an engineering course, balancing his studies with his growing interest in deejaying. He started working part-time in oil and gas to support himself, reflecting Texas’ strong presence in the energy sector. Despite his passion for music, Shinski did not initially pursue deejaying full-time. “I started doing an engineering course while deejaying on the side,” he shared in the interview. “I dropped out of engineering school in 2019. Texas is well known for oil companies so I started working in oil and gas for two years.” The experience was short-lived, as economic downturns led to widespread layoffs, forcing Shinski to reconsider his career path.
The turning point in Shinski’s career came in 2019 when he decided to take deejaying seriously and pursue it full-time. He explained, “I took up Deejaying full-time in 2019 and so far so good. I no longer practice engineering.” This decision was not just a personal choice but also a response to the changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. “If Covid didn’t hit I would not be where I am,” he admitted. “Before Covid, I even had a YouTube channel but it was very inactive but that changed after I became serious.”
The pandemic was a turning point for many, and for Shinski, it was a moment to fully commit to his passion. “I love deejaying since my high school days but I never took it seriously until I went to the US,” he said. The enforced isolation due to the pandemic allowed him to hone his skills, do live shows online, and build a more substantial following. “After Covid, I took it full time. I would do live shows online and mixes. If Covid did not come I would not be here,” he explained, highlighting the transformative impact of the lockdowns.
Shinski’s journey was not without its challenges. The adjustment to life in the US was difficult, particularly the cultural and language barriers. “Racism is real although it is not on the open,” he noted, speaking candidly about his experience. “The culture shock was real, the snow was crazy and I wouldn’t wish it on anybody. I wished I was back home.” Shinski described his initial days in the US as a struggle, with the language barrier adding another layer of complexity. “It took me a while,” he said. “There was also the language barrier, the food, it took me a while to adjust. I am now comfortable with how things are.”
Adjusting to a new environment where everything was different from food to language to weather was a slow process. However, Shinski found his groove and managed to overcome these challenges. “I am now comfortable with how things are,” he reflected, showing resilience in adapting to a new way of life. His experience serves as an example of how one’s passion can overcome initial obstacles, especially when coupled with determination and a willingness to adapt.
Shinski’s decision to change his stage name also marked a significant moment in his career. Initially going by “Nyash” as a playful nod to his Kenyan heritage, he soon learned that the name had unintended connotations in Nigeria—where it meant buttocks. “One day I was performing, after the event fan approached telling me they loved my mix. He asked what my name and I said ‘nyash’ he burst out laughing and asked if I knew what Nyash meant in Nigeria,” Shinski shared. “At the time I did not know. He told me nyash meant buttocks, so I ended up coming with the name Shinski instead of Nyash.”
