Deji Falope loves showbiz

Deji Falope a.k.a. Digideep, is the energetic and vibrant host of Malta Guinness Street Dance Africa, the reality show that airs on Africa Magic.

The stylish presenter, who has had various stints with DBN, NTA, Cool FM, and Rhythm 93.7 hit the limelight as a host of Sound City’s Top Ten Countdown.

X2 recently caught up with the University of Lagos architecture graduate and he talked about his foray into entertainment, as well as the highs and lows of his job.

Tell us about the Malta Guiness Street Dance Africa, which you currently anchor?

The programme will get to a climax sometime in June but we still have a few countries to go through like Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, Cameroon and then the international finals in Kenya where all these countries will compete for supremacy. We will also have South Americans, Asians and Europeans especially from France. I hear those Asians are bad but we know that Nigeria has got skills.

Why is it called Malta Guinness Street Dance Africa when we will have non-Africans participating?

The reason we tagged it so is because it is an African event. We want the whole world to know it is an African event and you are coming into our territory to do the way we want ... more like you are African but also a citizen of the whole world.

Have you always known you’ll end up on the entertainment scene considering the fact that you studied architecture?

I cut my hair about three months ago and then I remembered how we used to have family meetings about my hair. My mum would sit me down and ask my uncles to talk to me about getting my hair cut and I would say that I liked it that way. I have always had this rebellious attitude... from a tender age. Although I studied architecture, I am following my dream today because this is what I have always wanted to do. My mum is one of my greatest fans today.

What do you like most about your job?

If I say I am happy, it is just a big understatement. The money is good, although there are a few lows here and there.

How would you rate the Nigerian entertainment scene?

My brother, who is a movie director in Hollywood, just got back into the country and he said that the industry has really stepped up and he wouldn’t mind working or partnering with some of our stars back here. I think that for him to say that he would like to work with a whole lot of Nigerian acts means that we have really expanded and blown. I just think that all we have to do is up our game a l’il bit so we can compete with the whole world.

What is your take on the number of reality shows springing up on a daily basis?

It shows you the difference between the Nigerian entertainment industry and our foreign counterparts. In other parts of the world people are more concerned about respect but here we are more concerned about money because with money you command respect. It is basically a cultural value.

What is your take on the dance craze all around?

Dance has always been there but Malta Guinness is giving talented dancers a chance to get on the world map. No other reality shows takes on their winners for a year after they have won, sponsor, fly them all around the world, and put them on billboards. This brand is taking a lot of interest in young people like me and giving them a chance to make some cool cash.

When is Deji getting married?

I was thinking that marriage was a big deal. ‘We’, my girlfriend and I, thought we could do it in May, but right now we want to party and catch fun. I don’t want to marry right now and get tired soon so we are just having a ball together and exploring the world together.