Dollie Popman Mingled With 8 Heads Of State, Worked For 2 Governors And Still Plans To Remain A DJ

Dollie Popman, His Royal Soulness, Duke of ‘da Haaardest Jamz’ on the Radio, South-South Nigeria's Most Valuable Playa on the MIC is the man we're talking about. He is a celebrated On-Air Personality, a top notch mobile, club and radio dj. He currently works as a Protocol Assistant to Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel.

Dollie is also a respectable Master of Ceremonies who has established himself as one of the most talented and skillful entertainment professional figures around. Having kicked ‘da game’ since age 19, Dollie Popman brings to the table, over 20 years of proven skills gained in club, radio and mobile DJing.

As the progenitor of #ArtMostSphere - a Jam Session, Open Mic Contest & DJ Battle which holds every January 1 in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Dollie's got game and contact with valuable players in the entertainment industry both within and outside Nigeria. Only to mention but a few, PSquare, JMartins, Duncan Mighty, DJ JimmyJatt, 50cent, Ciara, Kwiet Storm, Presh of KC Presh, Sunny Neji, DJ Trainwreck, Public Enemy founder Hank Shocklee and Award-winning producer, 9th Wonder.

Dollie Popman recently shared an inspiring message on his Facebook page, recounting his early days in the business of the "wheels of steel" and what he plans to do after his "tour of duty" in Akwa Ibom State Government House.

Here’s what he wrote!

“I recall as a secondary school student when my dad shut down a party and chased me outta the place cos I was the "operator" (as local DJs were then known). Undeterred I moved on... to Asma Nite club in Paradise City Hotel, Metropolitan Hotel, Tuxedo Junction, Crystal Palace Studios all in Calabar, rockin' the city circuit as the Resident DJ. Plus, Cross River Radio as top notch host of chart topping music shows, hobnobbing with the high and mighty including the nation's biggest boys and girls! Then of course I paid school fees at Unical from my DJ fees. In 2011 I was on DJ duties when I was spotted by HE Sen Akpabio. In 2015 HE Gov Udom Emmanuel retained me in my present Govt House role, where in 5 yrs plus I have walked the red carpet and mingled with 8 Presidents and heads of governments, countless govs and ex-govs, senators, ambassadors, ministers, power brokers, military high commanders, movie stars, A list celebrities, media gurus, business moguls, top dollar lawyers, highbrow professionals and all. I've been to all the best countries of the 6 continents. I have shared the same stage with 50 Cent and Ciara performing live! Including all the A-list Naija musicians, I've jammed with DJ Trauma, DJ Whookid, P. Diddy & T - Pain just to mention but 4! My dad and I have since shared several "bottles of understanding" at the club! He didn't shut it down this time...thank God. My 3 sons are in the game too - Clinton, 10 plays the keyboard, Lionel, 8 the lead guitar and Aniekpeno, 6 starts his drum lessons next week. Lesson: Pursue your passion. Do what you believe in. Go, baby go, do your thing. Forget haters, look forward for there's more in front than behind. Don't let no one stop you, but please go to school alongside. Knowledge is everything! Multitude of thanks to God who has blessed me with talents & brought me this far, who am I! I love to play other people's music, spinning the wheels of steel on the 1's and 2's. It's paid my bills for 3 decades! When I conclude my tour of duty in the Govt House, I sure will return to the turntables either on the radio, club or on the go...big time! This is just a pencil sketch of my journey so far. Now do you still wonder why I will die a DJ?

Very inspiring! How else can a man express his undying love for his passion?