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Visually impaired DJ breaks barriers in Tanzania's music scene
DJ Sharifu in action.. PHOTO | COURTESY
What you need to know:
- He lost his sight in 2012 due to retina complications when he was a journalism student. His unexpected breakthrough came in 2021 during his internship at Ruangwa
Dar es Salaam. When the music drops and the crowd erupts into dance, no one thinks twice about who’s behind the decks. But when you walk up to tip the DJ and realise he is visually impaired, the moment becomes unforgettable.
This is the experience many have had with Sharifu Pinda, popularly known as DJ Sharifu—Tanzania’s trailblazing blind DJ who has redefined what’s possible in entertainment. From a distance, nothing seems unusual as his mixes flow seamlessly.
The beats hit just right, the transitions are smooth, and the vibe is electric. But DJ Sharifu is not reading from a screen—he’s mixing entirely by sound.
“I lost my sight in 2012 due to retina complications. My parents couldn’t get me early treatment, so I had to accept the condition,” DJ Sharifu told The Citizen in an exclusive interview.
He was then a journalism student, never imagining that one day he’d become a sensation behind DJ decks. His unexpected breakthrough came in 2021 during his internship at Ruangwa District’s community radio station.
“One day my colleagues didn’t show up, and I had to handle the programme myself. I realised if I wanted to succeed in broadcasting, I needed to learn to play music,” he explained.
With little more than curiosity and courage, he started learning DJing through online tutorials and self-practice. He soon began uploading mixes on social media platforms, drawing attention for both his talent and his resilience. His success is no accident.
DJ Sharifu uses a screen reader programme called Nonvisual Desktop Access (NVDA), which reads menus and song titles aloud, allowing him to operate complex DJ software.
“The programme guides me through different DJ functions. But more than anything, it’s my ears that do the work,” he said.
Unlike most DJs, DJ Sharifu doesn’t rely on visuals or monitors. He builds every set through memory and feel. “I have a mental library of over 1,000 songs. I know exactly how to pair them based on tempo, vibe, and mood. Blind DJs actually feel the music more deeply—we depend fully on sound,” he said.
Sharifu insists that being blind has actually heightened his musical sensitivity. “A blind DJ gives you 100 percent audio precision. Our mixes are more balanced, the selection is more deliberate, and the crowd can feel the difference,” he added.
However, challenges persist. His screen reader programme doesn’t always work smoothly with DJ software, forcing him to invent shortcuts.
“There are times the programme won’t detect certain features, so I’ve had to adapt a lot,” he said.
Another barrier is lack of access to professional DJ equipment. “I wish I had my own gear. I’d love to start mentoring others, one by one,” he said.
His dream is to open a DJ training centre for people with visual impairments—a space equipped with accessible tools and a mission to empower.
“There are many blind youths out there with talent. All they need is a chance. I want to help them become professional DJs and play at big events across Tanzania.” Sharifu’s message to the public is simple: “Believe in us. Give us the platform and we’ll show you what we’re capable of.”
Indeed, DJ Sharifu is not just playing music—he’s rewriting the rules of possibility
