When Derin Phillips, better known as DJ Caise, spun records at The Beat 99.9 FM, signed to Chocolate City, and released an album, very few people would have predicted that he would seek a position in the corridors of power.
Now, the former award-winning DJ, who just wanted to make people dance, is a Senior Special Assistant on the LCDPC to Lagos’ Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu, and he is eyeing the chairmanship of the Ikoyi-Obalende Community Development Association (CDA).
While few would have predicted it, DJ Caise’s foray into public service isn’t entirely unexpected. His maternal grandfather, the late Chief Antonio Oladeinde Fernandez, was a Nigerian billionaire and diplomat, serving as the Permanent Representative of the Central African Republic to the United Nations.
His mother, Chief Teju Phillips, has also held significant public roles, including serving as the Honourable Commissioner for Special Duties & Inter-Governmental Relations in Lagos State. Married to Xerona Duke, an entertainment lawyer and daughter of former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke, DJ Caise is no stranger to the political landscape. Their union in 2018 was a fusion of entertainment and political lineages.
Before his political aspirations, DJ Caise acquired a bachelor’s degree in Economics and a master’s in Finance from the University of Reading, UK, and further honed his musical skills at Point Blank Music College in London.
As he campaigns for the CDA chairmanship, DJ Caise brings a blend of youthful energy and a legacy of public service. His vision encompasses community development, youth engagement, and leveraging his entertainment background to foster unity and progress within Ikoyi-Obalende, according to his announcement video.
Speaking to Netng over the phone, Derin Phillips made it clear that his pivot into public service wasn’t a hasty move but a natural evolution.
“There are seasons for everything, and my run in the entertainment industry is one that I’m proud of, especially seeing what it’s doing on the global scene. I was part of the infrastructure that led to the global rise of Afrobeats — and that’s factual.”
It’s a bold claim, but not an unfounded one. DJ Caise was among the few who helped shape Nigeria’s contemporary soundscape on the radio and at major stages across the continent. Now, he wants to do the same for his local community.
“It’s that same mindset of empowerment that has led me to public service. We can’t all fold our hands and keep complaining about things. We all have to do what we can to improve our community and society.”
With a résumé spanning music, banking, real estate, and agribusiness, DJ Caise isn’t coming into the Ikoyi-Obalende CDA chairmanship race empty-handed. He says his diverse background gives him a unique edge — a bridge between culture, capital, and community.
“My portfolio is based on five pillars with the acronym FAITH: Finance — introducing programs aimed at economic empowerment; Access to social welfare for all members of the community regardless of their privilege; IT infrastructure — leveraging the internet to create opportunities; Transparency in governance; and Healthcare, which we must improve to empower people fully.”
More than just campaign buzzwords, these themes represent a broader philosophy: that local leadership should be holistic, accountable, and reflective of the people it serves.
After declaring his intention, Phillips hopes to win the party primaries slated for later this month. Yet, billboards announcing his intention to run are scattered around the entire stretch of Alexander-Bourdillon-Gerrard Road in Ikoyi, and its environs
In a city where the lines between entertainment and politics often blur, DJ Caise’s journey from the DJ booth to potential community leadership exemplifies the evolving narrative of Nigerian public service.
Many other Nigerian artistes, such as Banky W, J. Martins, and more, have forayed into politics; DJ Caise would hope to enjoy a more successful career in that regard.
