Though born in Lagos State, they hail from Saminaka, Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State. Wanni and Handi Danbaki are energetic and super active identical Disk Jockey (DJ) twins. They are popularly known as WanniXHandi. The self-taught DJ enthusiasts gained significant attention as first set of twins who graced the Big Brother Naija, Season 9.
Vibrant and active, WanniXHandi are extremely identical twins who are not easily identified, no matter how often one sees them.
Wanni said: “Even our father finds it difficult to recognize us.”
It’s a shocking fact that both match their energies with hyper activities unlike some set of twins who come in calm and active dispositions.
In a chat with Sunday Sun, both opened up about themselves, especially on their nudity, success, saying that they are grateful to the BBNaija platform that pushed them to the next level.
Twins usually come in calm and energetic disposition, why are both of you super-hyperactive DJs at the same frequency?
Wanni started: “I think we are soulmates. I have not seen sisters or twins that have the kind of bond we share as twins. Though Handi seems to be a bit calmer, but we have similar interests, our energies match each other. We were born like this here in Lagos; though we are from Kaduna State.”
It means you gave your teachers headache in your nursery and primary schools?
Yes. There were times we were separated in class because we will always talk and make noise in class. Then our mother came to school the next day and said: “You cannot separate my twins; they have to sit down together. The teacher separated our seats because we used to sit together on the same seat. Naturally, we cannot keep quiet, as far as our eyes are open, our mouth will not close. We talk for 24 hours about different things. We know ourselves in and out. There is nothing that we have done that we hide from each other including the relationships.
What did two of you study in school?
We studied Mass Communication from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
How did both of you become interested in the entertainment industry?
We have always known we would be in the entertainment industry, but never knew we would be DJs. At first, we grew up watching entertainers like Beyonce, P-Square; D’Banj etc. At our younger ages, I, Wanni wanted to be an actress while Handi wanted to be a journalist. Our dad advised that we might not study Theatre Arts to become actress, so we agreed to study Mass Communication because we both love to talk. With our degrees, we started from Television presenting which did not really work out. In school, Handi always loved to play with DJ Apps, and we love singing and dancing as well. We also tried acting, did a few things with Africa magic, but shown great energy on music and dancing was high before we met some guys who encouraged us to be DJ’s since we loved music and dancing. Handi said, when the boys encouraged us initially, Wanni was a bit scared, but I assured her that we can do it if we put our heads down. We started practicing and learnt from YouTube.
Today, we are self-taught DJs. Nothing has felt better than being DJs. We have never felt so comfortable doing anything like being DJs which has changed our lives. To think we are getting paid to do what we love means we are living our dream. We plan to do this for a long and good time.
With all the long plans for DJs, is marriage part of it?
We are lover girls, we love companionship, marriage and childbirth. But we have gotten to the point where our happiness is not tied to marriage and children. We actually want to do all that when the time and the right person comes. Again, we are open to relationships and marriages, but its not exclusively our soul happiness. Right now, we are happy girls doing what we love.
You appear on the same outfit at all times with a bit nudity? Throw light on your outfits?
We agree at all times on what to wear. Any of us can suggest and the other twin will concur. It is not a problem at all. For the fact that we have similarities, we pick on our clothes and move on.
How did both of you get to Big Brother Naija Season 9?
We auditioned for Big Brother for four times and were finally chosen at our fifth attempt. I think the previous years we were not prepared, but the time came, we got into the show. Big Brother blew us up even though we have been DJs in the three years. We have auditioned to go in as a set of twins, but they kept choosing single people. So, this time around, the duo came on board and we agreed this is our time, and it really was our time. People thought we were paid, and in all honesty, for Handi and I, we were chosen just like that. Why I think the season is for us is because we already had a platform. Our biggest goal was brand promotion and we got all that, won a car, it was just amazing. Forever we will be grateful to the Big Brother Naija platforms. We are grateful for everything. We have been through the stage of grass and now we are at the grace. We are so grateful because we made more money than the winner through DJ being on the show.
What has being entertainers brought to you as twins?
Before we became DJs we were hustlers. We didn’t have money, no good clothes, peeled shoes, no good hair to wear, just managing ourselves. We went through a lot. Our parents were actually in Ojo. We cannot be coming to the Island for entertainment events from Ojo because most of the events happen on the Island. So, we agreed to stay on the Island for what we want and it worked out well. If we remain at Ojo, our dreams will die. Imagine when an opportunity calls and one’s presence is needed at Lekki, how could one come from Ojo to make it in one hour? The moment we hit the BBNaija platform DJs, our lives changed. We are now paid to do what we love to do which is amazing. We are simply grateful to God. We currently have an NGO running presently to give back to the society. Entertainment is what is funding our lifestyles. All our bills are paid through being DJs and the goodies we got during BB Naija. It has paved way for meeting people and networking which is key.
Parents then loved professions like Medicine, Engineering, Law etc, how did they feel when you found yourselves in the entertainment industry and now that you have made it?
I think for my mum, she knew we wanted to be entertainers, but she did not know we were going to be DJs. Our mum has problem with our dressing.
Every mother should, especially when it adds nudity, so talk about your free dressings?
Our mum is a spiritual person who sees the negative comments we usually get on the social media. One of the days she called us and said: “My girls, please I do not like this free dressing, please cover up.” We said: “Mummy there are girls who cover up, but are worse than us.” We that dress freely are focused, we know what we are doing. We are just free people who love to show skin, and are not ashamed of it. Everybody cannot dress alike. God is the one that knows and will judge all. We will face our judgment individually. We promised our mother that our heads as a set of twins are in the right place and we are good in our dressing, but she is still a mother.
What did your father say to your free dressing?
Well, a set of identical twins like WanniXHandi are not easy to manage. They are trying their best as parents. But we are good.
How was growing up? Talk about your parents and siblings.
Our dad who is from Kaduna State retired from the Banking sector. While our mother who is from Delta State is still a businesswoman. We are five girls. Our eldest sister is a caterer, our immediate sister is our manager, we are a set of twins, and our youngest sister is a law student. Unfortunately, we do not speak any of our parents’ languages; but we have engaged a teacher for our language. While growing up, we love to eat rice a lot. Growing up also, we used to fight a lot, but we got to a point we developed better ways to handling conflicts. We rarely fight these days; but settle our disagreements amicably.
How has society been treating you girls?
We have very strong personalities. We get trolled a lot; even before we get into Big Brother maybe because we show our skin when we dress. But after we came out of Big Brother house, the love has been massive. We only see hates and stroll only on social media. We do not see it on real lives. We have never gone anywhere and be embarrassed. We do not care about our free dressing. Otherwise, some people also do not like to see one’s progress. We are not always in our free dressings; there are days we cover up.
What advice would you give to upcoming entertainers especially the ones with their eyes on being DJs?
There is power in being twins because they are very special. I would advise them to be together. Twins are also blessed because two heads are better than one at all times. Twins who are not together are doing a de-service to their twinship. we do not know what is better than having that one person who shared the same womb with you; while everyone is coming out as single, two of you shared the same home for nine months until you are born. Therefore, for upcoming DJs, be yourselves, do not be afraid to make mistakes and also manifest positivity. Say positive things to yourselves.
The Sun Nigeria
