DJ Rachi blends Afrobeats, regional sound and cultural intention on DMV dance floors
Image Credit: DJ Rachi
DJ Rachi approaches the DJ booth with a clear goal: shaping how people feel when they leave the room.
Across clubs, community events and festivals in the DMV and beyond, the Nigerian American DJ and producer builds sets designed to move bodies while grounding listeners in intrinsic cultural experiences, while being immersed in rich music and vibes.
Rachi, whose legal name is Amarachi Uban, is a DJ and producer from the suburbs of Prince George’s County, Maryland. Known as the “Dancefloor Connoisseur,” he has developed a genre-blending style that pulls from Afrobeats, R&B, electronic music and regional sounds like go-go.
His work reflects both technical study and personal history, drawing from skate and graffiti culture, college party circuits and a deep connection to his Nigerian roots.
Image Credit: DJ Rachi
Growing up between worlds
As a teenager, Rachi said he never fit neatly into one social group. He played sports, skateboarded and made art, moving fluidly between different circles.
“I was what you would call a misfit kind of kid,” he said. “I didn’t really fit in with the cool kids, but I wasn’t nerdy enough for the nerd kids either.”
That sense of being in between led him to skateboarding and graffiti culture, spaces he described as tightly bonded and creatively driven. Those environments also broadened his musical exposure.
Image Credit: DJ Rachi
“It’s almost like a brotherhood for a period, everything about that culture was what I was doing,” Rachi said.
Listening became as important as participation. Rachi said he immersed himself in sounds outside his comfort zone, including indie and electronic artists like MGMT and Daft Punk, which encouraged him to experiment beyond familiar genres.
“I was just listening to everything that I wasn’t used to. It pushed me to explore.” He said.
A dorm room discovery
Rachi’s entry into DJing began in college after following friends to a dorm room where a classmate was spinning records.
“I was like, ‘Dang, you could do this in a dorm room,’” he said.
The equipment caught his attention immediately, especially as someone interested in technology. Although he did not have the money for turntables at the time, he said he began collecting and organizing music as soon as he returned to his own room.
Image Credit: DJ Rachi
“The passion for collecting and discovering music was already there,” he said.
DJing initially remained a hobby as Rachi balanced school and athletics.
Over time, as bookings increased, music took on a larger role in his life. He said he continues to invest in his development through certifications in live music production and other training.
Treating a set like a narrative
Rachi said DJing goes beyond selecting popular tracks. He views each set as a story shaped by rhythm, pacing and audience response.
“It’s easy to pull a bunch of party songs together. But to do it in a way that feels like a story or a mixtape takes more artistry.” He said.
Image Credit: DJ Rachi
When preparing for events, Rachi said he researches a client’s preferences while remaining flexible enough to read the crowd in real time. He measures success by the emotional note people leave.
“At the end of the night, what emotion am I leaving people on?” he said as he reflected on how his music impacts listeners.
Carrying Nigerian heritage into every set
Rachi said his Nigerian heritage is central to how he approaches music. He described Nigerian culture as deeply prideful and said his grandmother emphasized the importance of representing family and community.
“She always made sure we knew we had to represent our name and our family well,” The DJ said.
That lesson guides him behind the decks, regardless of genre.
“No matter what direction I go with the music, I have to represent where I come from,” he said.
Image Credit: DJ Rachi
Small crowds, lasting impact
Some of Rachi’s most meaningful performances, he said, did not happen on the biggest stages.
One occurred during a small tour connected to Swaliga or Olay Entertainment, a nonprofit blending STEAM education and music. His first show in North Carolina took place on an elementary school playground, where he played go-go music far from its D.C. origins.
“I would have never imagined that,” he said. “Music has a way of reaching people.”
Another milestone came when he opened for Don Breski at Soundcheck in Washington. Rachi said the experience helped him recognize how DJing had expanded his reach.
“You don’t always realize what you’re doing until you look back and say, ‘Wow, I really did that,’” he said.
Image Credit: DJ Rachi
Building inclusive spaces through sound
Rachi describes his onstage energy as constant movement, even when standing still. He often hums or sings along to stay synchronized with the music.
More than anything, he wants his sets to feel accessible, where people can come as they are and just be free.
“You don’t even have to drink,” he said. “Just come as you are.”
As he continues releasing mixes and new music, Rachi said his focus remains on bringing people together through shared energy on the dance floor.
