James Chike Nwankwo

James Chike Nwankwo (better known as DJ Virall) is a pioneering Disc jockey, MC, Record producer, Songwriter and Remixer.

He played a role in popularizing the genre of Hip hop music as therapy, the concept of DJ residencies in Moscow and for popularized techniques such as phasing,backspinning punch phrasing and breakbeat a rhythmic section of a song that DJs would loop.

James is among the pioneers of the Afro igbo genre in Nigeria. And has been nominated twice at the Nigeria Entertainment Awards. However, in 2021 he won the Nigerian Books of Record.

Early life and education
James Nwankwo (born June 24, 1989) hails from Orumba North LGA in Anambra State, Nigeria. James who was born in Kaduna and raised in Ibadan, completed his primary school education at Hallelujah Model School (2001). He proceeded to Command Secondary Schools, Adekunle Fajuyi Cantonment, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria in 2007. Afterwards, he attended the University of Ibadan, Oyo state, where he graduated with a combined bachelor's degree (hons) in Communication and Language Arts and English Language (2014). He later obtained a master's degree (cum laude) in Foreign Languages and Intercultural Communication from HSE University (2022).

Career
James Nwankwo developed a strong passion for music from a young age, particularly Electronic dance music (EDM) and hip-hop.

DJ Virall made history as the first Nigerian DJ to perform at the University of Glasgow. He is noted as one of the best Mobile DJs in the southeastern part of Nigeria.

In 2013, he pioneered the sounds of Nigerian Afro fusion pop, appealing to lovers of dance music of all styles for his sheer artistry. In 2015, He emerged as one of Nigerian leading DJs at the Coke Studio season 8 project.

He is also the first Afro DJ to play at the Bookhouse club revolutionary party in honour of Elizabeth Wurtzel and was listed among Yessiey Africa 100 Most Influential People in 2023.

Journals
James has article publication on journals like: Sage's Bulletin of Science and Technology (Analysis of Impact of Industry 4.0 on Africa, Eastern Europe and US: A Case Study of Cyber-Security and Sociopolitical Dynamics of Nigeria, Russia and USA).

Awards and recognition
James impact in growing the entertainment industry earned him nomination twice at the Nigeria Entertainment Awards and an award by Nigerian Books of Record in 2021. He is also a member of the ForbesBLK community.