IT WAS THE DOCTOR’S ORDERS: MUSIC WAS THE MEDICINE
No. 10 is a penchant for a performative gesture. The government orchestrated a nationwide clap for frontline healthcare workers during the height of the coronavirus pandemic, yet denied recognition of their efforts through substantial pay rises. Faced with burnout and the crippling cost-of-living crisis, this year doctors of all levels have resorted to strikes, to address the inadequate compensation for those who risked their lives during one of the nation's darkest moments.
As the NHS descended into chaos while attempting to control the spread of Covid-19, London-based DJ and Doctor Chidera Ota began her medical journey and was instantly radicalised. “We are at the forefront of seeing how government reform, or the lack of it, impacts people” she announces unashamedly.
“We are at the forefront of seeing how government reform, or the lack of it, impacts people”
Chidera's warmth is evident in her smile and giggly voice, but the gravity of her words settles in once the conversation delves deeper “people are coming in to the hospital with clinical presentations that are reflective of the environments they’re forced to live in.” From exposure to poverty contributing to worse health conditions, to hospitals being full because there is no social housing for patients to be placed in, Chidera makes it clear that working in the NHS comes with living in a constant state of frustation. “Every element of my job is impacted by the government’s lack of focus on health”.
Amidst working conditions akin to a dystopian horror, Chidera experienced severe burnout. When lockdown was in full swing and the phrase ‘social distancing’ dominated English vernacular, Chidera mourned the dancefloor, “I missed the safe space provided by the underground scene”. Reminiscing on nights like Boko! Boko! - hosted by Tash LC, MINA and Juba - Chidera hoped to recreate the feral atmosphere she longed for in her bedroom. “I started DJing because it really helped mentally. I was stressed with work and feeling anxious.” Giving herself downtime to focus on beatmatching, curating playlists, re-doing mistakes and fixing up transitions felt transformative for Chidera in her early medical career, “I didn’t have to think about anything else and it took me out of my head. I found it incredibly healing”.
While Chidera’s technical skills improved, so did her confidence. She started sending mixes to the likes of Jyoty, No Signal and foundation.fm. By the time the lockdown restrictions started to ease, she was becoming well-known in the underground scene. But with more bookings came more stress, because how can you balance NHS shifts with a busy nightlife?
In order to capture the pressure doctors are put under, Chidera explains, “the average UK full-time worker usually works around 35 hours a week. This is only 80% of the NHS staff rota, and this isn’t even all we have to do at work. Our minimum hours are 120% of the national average.” Following months of swapping shifts and taking annual leave to pursue DJing, Chidera accepted it’s unsustainable having the candle burnt at both ends. “In order to protect my wellbeing, I need to be more selective, I only do what makes sense to me.”
Specialisation became a priority for Chidera as she discovered her signature sound, and she is slowly cementing herself within multiple corners of London’s kaleidescopic nightlife scene. She proudly professes, “I’m a multi-genre DJ, but I’m primarily an edits DJ.” Within her sets, two worlds collide - her piano, baille and afrobeats edits of 90s and 00s bangers attract Black lovers of electronic music who don’t want to attend genre-specific nights. “I want to play the songs I grew up on in a way that makes sense in a club environment”, she justifies.
“I’m seeing Black women being actively being deprioiritsed within Black genres.”
Her own night debuts in Peckham Audio on December 2nd. When asked about her motivations for creating a night, she frustratingly describes a clubbing experience that now feels all-too common for Black electronic lovers. “I hear my people, but I don’t see my people.” After attending many nights that champion various elements of the global Black diaspora, Chidera says that she was not “seeing the faces behind the decks that I was hearing through the speakers.” More specifically, the erasure of Black women in these spaces is loud, “I’m seeing Black women being actively being deprioiritsed within Black genres.”
With this comes Doctor’s Orders, which Chidera summaries as a “prescription of a wholesome night with Black brilliance and bad bitchery.” The sound alludes to the healing power of music and the almost-medicinal impact that dancing can have on a clubgoer.
Multigenre nights are still under-served in the London nightlife community and Chidera hopes that her night - with an all-women line-up - will act as the safe space she missed so much during the covid-ridden early years of her medical training. It’ll be a wild and savage night, prepare yourself with Chidera’s very own mix.
Doctor’s orders
December 2nd, Peckham audio
A multi-genre night platforming black femmes. The perfect blend of the best vibes: amapiano, baile, UK funky, throwback edits and more - just what the doctor ordered.
