Kennedy O. Lorya; a Lotuko, born in Juba better known as Dynamq to music fans is a South Sudanese artist and DJ who has accomplished a lot through his musical journeys.
He moved to Kenya (Nairobi) in 1987, Started listening to Bob Marley at 10, his favorite tune was “Buffalo Soldier”, third born of 7 kids. 3 boys and 4 younger sisters.
He did his first stage performance at age 14 at the Bob Marley Day Featival at the City Hall, Nairobi with former ‘King Lion Sounds’, since then he took music seriously. At the same time he was an upcoming DJ too.
He went to Riruta H.G.M Primary School in Kenya. After graduating from there he attended S.S.D Secondary School for a year before moving to the States with 4 younger sisters and mother..
While in Kenya, Reggae music was a very big thing for those days. He thinks thats how he got hooked to it. From Artists like Charlie Chaplin, Shine Head, Gregory Isaac, Chaka Demus & Pliers, to Madd Cobra just to name a few. Reggae was really kicking it in Kenya, he more into the reggae and dancehall singers like Wayne Wonder, Sanchez, Cocoa Tea, Singing Melody just to name a few. All these artist were his favourite choices while selecting (the act of DJing) for local sounds like Mickey Dread Sounds.
Dynamq has shared stage with various international artistes like Freddie MC Gregor, Sanchez, Beenie Man, Beres Hammond, Buju Banton, Wayne Wonder, Spragga Benz, Wailing Souls, The Wailers Band (Bob Marley’s Band), Luciano, The Mighty Diamonds among others.
Over the weekend Achan Tony had a one on one interview with the musician. Check below:
Achan Tony
How did u came up with the name Dynamq?
Dynamq
Well, got it from a childhood friend of mine, it became official as I grew up playing football & my teammates would describe my passes as dynamic, then one day as I was doing a sound check, I asked the engineer to give me some effects on the microphone & he said, well, there are only a few, there is one called a dynamic reverb if you want, all my band members started laughing & said yeah, thats it, he is dynamic anyway. So I decided to be creative & spell it a bit different. So its DYNAMQ instead of DYNAMIC. Due to copy writes reasons
Achan Tony
Who would u bang Alek Wek or Ajak Deng
Dynamq
I plead the 5th (laughing)…………. I would say Ajak Deng
Achan Tony
Who was ur first crush & where is she now?
Dynamq
My first crush was my classmate called Beatrice Inshuti, She is Rwandese & just finished her studies in UK, She has become a very good woman.
Achan Tony
Your song “Those day in Nairobi” upto date is still a big hit, what is the secret?
Dynamq
It came straight from my heart, I never wrote the lyrics at all, When I first recorded it, it was all free style & I used my old laptop to record the song. I was in my room alone actually bored. I was just thinking of how life used to be when I was growing in Nairobi.Right before recording the song, I was listening to Mbilia Bel, its so funny because you wouldn’t think a Congolese musician would inspire a reggae song, But that’s the power of music.
Achan Tony
Why still call yourself ‘Sudanese Child’ when i believe u represents South Sudan?
Dynamq
Our country is South “SUDAN”, as long as the word “SUDAN” is on there, I do believe I can be the Sudanese child. I am sure a South KOREANS have no issues calling themselves “Korean Child”, weather from North or South. It’s just a title, what I stand for is much more important.
Achan Tony
How do you think your Ruka Music or how music industry can spread peace in reconciliation in South Sudan?
Dynamq
We need to get the right people doing the job; you can’t put a doctor in a garage to fix your car, just like you can’t put a mechanic in a surgery room & expect them to work. We don’t have a sound out there that represents South Sudan, that’s why I started the whole RUKA movement, at first they were laughing at me & not supporting me, But I knew how powerful music is, Music & sports are the only tools that can unite the world but our people seem to be the only ones who don’t get that, Good music that it. You don’t get peace waiting for what someone else can do, You get peace by working together, Ruka music & any other genre of music that’s making a big buzz in our country should be given its rightful promotion & get the message out. We need to have our musicians touring all over the country performing for our people in high schools, colleges & universities, on TV & radio station performance, we need a very strong media outlet that promotes all our good music without being bias and we need a strong support from companies who are willing to make sure that the sound of South Sudan is what is being put out.
Achan Tony
Who are your top five favorite South Sudan musicians?
Dynamq
05 – Jay Family
04 – Emmanuel Kembe
03 – Silver X & Kawaja (Tied)
02 – Queen Zee
01 – Nancy Chan
with all due respect to everyone else, I love them all
Achan Tony
Your most embarrassing movement in life?
Dynamq
Never had one, I never look at it as an embarrassment, I look at it as a lesson learnt. But what I can say is that I hate wires on stage. Hahaha
Achan Tony
Btw I forgot to ask, r u married ?
Dynamq
Am not married but I have a 1 yr old son
Achan Tony
What is the craziest thing a fan ever did/showed u?
Dynamq
It happened just a few weeks ago, a fan came on stage & kissed me on my mouth, I also remember a fan holding my hands so tight & didn’t want to let go because she wanted me to go home with her. it’s so many crazy things that happen but thank God am always finding ways of getting away from the situation.
Achan Tony
Tell me about your sounds, achievements, awards etc.
Dynamq
you mean achievements as an artist or dj?
Achan Tony
As a DJ and musician
Dynamq
As an artist
- 2001 Most Entertaining Musician With One World Tribe Band BUFFALO NEW YORK MUSIC AWARDS
- Reggae Artist Of The Year 2009 MSANII AWARDS – Dynamq
- Msanii Achievement Winner 2010 MSANII AWARDS – Dynamq
- Reggae Artist Of The Year 2011 SOSA AWARDS – Dynamq
- Reggae Song Of The Year 2011 SOSA AWARDS – Nobody
- Single Of The Year 2011 SOSA AWARDS – Kalamat Deh Wosulu
- Album Of The Year AFRO-ENT Awards – Dynamq
As sound system (Dynamq sounds international)
- 2014 WAR IS IN THE AIR CHAMPS
- 2013 WAR IS IN THE AIR CLASH CHAMPS
- 2011 GULF WAR CHAMPS
- 2010 BLACK FRIDAY CLASH CHAMPS
Achan Tony
You have shared stage with many international musicians along your musical career…who among them couldn’t you believe to be on the same stage with him/her?
Dynamq
Angelique Kidjo
She was amazing, her voice is like no other, her stage presence was so powerful, she only has a 3 piece band but it sounded like a full band. I look up to her a lot.
This was in Calgary Canada at a festival called Afriday Fest
Achan Tony
Anything else u want to tell ur fans all over the world?
Dynamq
Sure, I started the whole Ruka movement as a style that will identify my music, I realize it has become more than just that, It’s becoming a tradition & I want to thank them very much for accepting it. I have done so many reggae songs & other genres but never was satisfied because I always felt like I was making other peoples style of music. I pray one day that our industry will get recognized world wide & for all our musicians to put their egos aside & work together. Its too many food out there for all of us to eat. Much thanks to Hot in Juba, I always log on to get a laughter. To all my die hard fans, I have something special coming out soon. Something HUGE.
For all Dynamq’s music click here
Facebook . Instgram & Twitter : @dynamq
