Dau Dau: How I earned the name ‘Mobatel’
Having recorded more than 300 songs and amassed 18 years of experience in studio and on stage, Dau Mobatel is now living his dream as a fully-fledged dancehall artiste. In this interview, Dau walks The City Review through the journey of his musical career and how he earned the name ‘‘Mobatel.’’
BOKA Jr: Thank you for creating time to talk to us. We are going to talk about your music career to let your fans and the public know the long but later successful journey you treaded until this level. May you introduce yourself to us?
Dau: Thank you very much. My name is Dau Dau Majook, that is my family name and the stage name is Dau Mobatel. I was born in Aweil East, Wanjok and I grew up in Khartoum, Sudan. You know childhood is always challenging especially in Sudan during civil wars when a child could not get basic needs like education at an early age. But that period has gone.
BOKA Jr: The name sounds interesting, what is the meaning of Mobatel and how did you acquire this name
Dau: I renamed myself in 2003 because we were together with some of my friends who had amazing names and I didn’t have a nickname or used a Christian name. So I thought of creating for myself a unique name that will sound good and I realised that Mobatel was the only famous company in Khartoum Sudan. I really liked the name which I renamed myself with it and now am popularly known.
BOKA Jr: When and how did you realise your musical talent?
Dau: I realised it when I was young. I was struggling in Khartoum from 2006 to 2007 and there was no support I had to leave Khartoum in 2008 and come back to Aweil. My music started growing from 2009 to 2010 and got support from my lovely brother Koni Baris/Atem Bol Bol. I really appreciate this gentleman.
BOKA Jr: What are some of the challenges you have gone through since you started your music career?
Dau: Well, all human beings especially artists go through a lot of hardships which make some give up but others worked hard to become successful. The challenges include lack of enough money for recording and video shooting, misunderstanding and criticism of the public against music and lack of promotion companies to sell the music. Personally, I faced a lot of bad situations which I cannot explain to the media but they made me hardworking and strong.
BOKA Jr: So, what kind of music do you sing and what makes it different from others?
Dau: I can sing any [genre] but make it different the way I can create my songs. It is always good to be creative in vocals and the beats.
BOKA Jr: How many songs and videos have you recorded so far? May you mention a few of them and tell us who was the producer or director and which was the first or the hit song?
Dau: My songs are so many if I add them, they are 300 and something. I can’t describe them all. I have more hit songs like Aweil beledi and Manh jiec and Manh Ting War.
BOKA Jr: Who are some musicians you did a collaboration with?
Dau: I made collaborated with Deng Mtoto, Abraham Manut Malong Amiir and Yai Yai.
BOKA Jr: Do you have a producer or you producer yourself?
Dau: Yeah I have a producer who is Koni Baris and I can also produce by myself.
BOKA Jr: How long have you been in music?
Dau: I remember since I started the journey up to now, I realised that I have 18 years in the music industry. It was really a long history beginning, but today I look back and smile.
BOKA Jr., Which are some of the biggest shows you did, inside South Sudan are outside the country?
Dau: I made so many shows here in South Sudan and outside. I made some [other] shows in Egypt, Khartoum-Sudan, Kenya and Uganda respectively. I also made a show with John Kudusay, Deng Mtoto and Koni Baris.
BOKA Jr: Is music your career? If not, how do you manage with other things you are doing?
Dau. Music is the career of course because I have been doing it for almost 2 decades, (almost 20 years) but others take it as a way for survival.
BOKA Jr: Any upcoming song, video project or concert.
Dau: I have some songs in the studio which I am working on. I also have a concert this coming Friday, January 28, 2022, at Home And Away D, BAAM Starz concert.
BOKA Jr: What do you wish South Sudanese to do to build the music industry?
Dau: I just want any South Sudanese to respect each and everyone and respect their music. I pass my regards to all South Sudanese wherever they are, may God bless you and give you peace.
