Saarland, Germany, is about to experience a musical revolution, and at the centre of it all is 'Lamar' – the Ghanaian student who's transformed his passion into a mesmerizing side hustle. We sat with Lamar and asked him how he has been able to balance being a high-demand DJ with his University life.

How has your international background (from Ghana and studying in Germany) influenced your approach to music and Engineering? Are there any cultural elements that inspire your work?

Well, with engineering we all know Germans produce the best engineers and the challenge I was expecting has indeed exceeded my expectations. It has been a tough road. In relation to music, I can say my music taste has been much more diverse as compared to a few years back and now I can vibe to some different genres of music. As a Ghanaian, Afrobeats is what I grew up with. It is my culture and I always say, there is nobody out here who can perform it better than me since it is something I grew up with.

How do you manage the delicate balance between being a DJ, studying Engineering, and maintaining a personal life? Can you share your strategies for effective time management?

Balancing the roles of a DJ, studying engineering, and maintaining a personal life is indeed a multifaceted challenge. Recognizing the value of time and prioritizing tasks accordingly is crucial. I have a very strict weekly schedule which I cannot deviate from, and I make sure my time is allocated to high-value activities like studying and then the others follow.

What sparked your interest in both DJing and engineering and how did you decide to pursue both passions simultaneously?

As a Ghanaian, music has always been a part of me and moving to Germany was an opportunity to spread the love music had to offer to people around me. Afrobeats wasn’t really a major genre when I started DJing in Germany and it was challenging introducing the audience to these new sounds but my aim was to do it till they love it and so far it has worked out perfectly. I study Material Engineering and applied mechanics in the School of Engineering at the University of Saarland. I always enjoyed solving complicated problems and studying this has proved challenging but also very interesting. 

DJ Lamar

Could you describe a memorable DJ performance where you had to juggle your academic commitments? How did you handle it, and what were the results?

Well, honestly a situation like that happened to me recently when an event in Berlin clashed with a final exam. But as I previously emphasized, I set my priorities straight. I had been studying for months for the exams so I had to drop the event so I could write the exams and be done with it once and for all.

With such a busy schedule, what keeps you motivated to excel in both your studies and your DJ career? How do you overcome challenges and maintain your enthusiasm?

What keeps me motivated is the smile and happiness on my audience's faces when I am behind the deck. I believe in spreading happiness to the audience I have and that is the reason that keeps me going. Academically, I just want to make people back home proud and be a role model to people from backgrounds like me. Seeing my mum proud is my biggest motivation and it’s the zeal that drives me each and every day to achieve the best academically. 

Have you had any mentors or sources of support who have helped you navigate the challenges of pursuing your passions? How important has mentorship been in your journey?

I have had a lot of support from my friends. My friends have been the backbone of my DJing journey. The support and love have been very massive and I owe them so much because of that.

What tools or techniques do you use to stay organized and maintain a productive schedule?

My phone calendar and notebook have been my perfect companion. I write everything important down on it so that I don’t miss any important meeting or schedule whatsoever. 

Can you share some of the most significant challenges you've encountered in managing your dual pursuits, and how did you overcome them? What are some of your proudest moments?

Sometimes I have impromptu meetings and conferences falling on the same day as events or sometimes I close from Uni very late, and I have to go directly to the club or event venue and start working. It mostly takes a big toll on my body and sleep schedule. But now when such things happen, I plan the day after very well so I get enough rest and also I eat well before I go to DJ. After all, there's nothing a happy meal can't fix.

What inspires your DJing and Engineering work? Are there any artists, engineers, or projects that have a significant influence on your creativity and innovation?

With respect to DJing, I have people like Njelic who inspire my craft. My Friends and audience are also big motivators for me. The happiness and smiles on their faces when I am behind the deck is the best reaction ever, and as an Engineer, well, there are a lot of Engineers and scientists whose work I’ve been studying, and this motivates me to excel in that field. I will say, my creativity is very much influenced by the criticism and comments I get from my friends and audience. It makes me better each day and fixes what I might have not done right.

As you near the end of your studies, what are your future career aspirations? How do you see yourself continuing to balance both DJing and Engineering in your professional life?

I want to be a professor in the Engineering field since I enjoy teaching others what I know. I will definitely be chasing further studies in various engineering fields, and I hope as time goes by I can still continue entertaining others with my DJing craft because that gives me genuine happiness seeing others happy. 

What life lessons have you learned from your journey as a DJ / engineer in Germany, and how do they shape your approach to work and personal life today?

I will say determination is everything. I knew time and tide waits for no man. I saw the opportunity- I was very determined and I took it. Surrounding yourself with good and genuine people who give a sincere and unbiased opinion on one’s performance is very important. My friend's criticism really made me better my craft in each and every performance.

If someone wants to pursue their passions in multiple fields like you have, what advice would you give them for maintaining a healthy work-life balance and achieving their goals?

The person should stay very disciplined and stick to their strict schedule. They should have a personal hierarchy of needs where they classify their priorities. They should also surround themselves with positive and understanding people who will help them reach the heights they want to achieve.