Last year was an experiment of sorts, and a trial period for Kent D. Ware II, known professionally as DJ Fa’Dorah.
This year, he’s all-in and making history as the locker room DJ of the Colorado football team.
After spinning records in the locker room for CU home games in 2023, Fa’Dorah has been setting a musical tone at practices, events and, now, road games for the Buffs – starting with Saturday night in Lincoln, Neb.
“I kind of set my goals on it,” Fa’Dorah said of working all games this season. “I did my research prior to being able to travel and there really is not on record any Division I traveling DJs. As I’m aware, I am the first to do it in history.
“To be in Boulder now and to see kind of how culturally things have shifted, and to be a part of that has been phenomenal. It’s truly a dream come true.”
Fa’Dorah grew up in Boulder, graduating from Boulder Prep High School and playing football at Fairview under Tom McCartney – the son of legendary CU head coach Bill McCartney.
At CU, head coach Deion Sanders has changed the culture and the vibe of the team since he was hired in December of 2022. Part of that shift included hiring DJ Fa’Dorah to work the locker room at Folsom Field on game days last year.
“It’s a very proud moment,” he said of going from Boulder Prep to where he is now. “It just kind of gives a pathway to those kids to where they can kind of leverage to say that, you know, as long as you apply yourself to focus, that your dreams can come true. For me as an artist, especially an ex-football player, this really is a dream job and I’m very blessed and privileged to be a part of it.”
He is a part of it because of a fortunate meeting with a CU icon.
Giving back to the community was important to Fa’Dorah’s mother and after she passed away 12 years ago, he took that on.
“I kind of dedicated my life to giving back in community,” he said.
Through that, he met CU basketball legend Chauncey Billups, who happens to be a friend of Coach Prime.
“Chauncey Billups directly referred me, and that’s what kind of got me in door,” Fa’Dorah said.
To stay in the door with Coach Prime, though, Fa’Dorah had to prove himself last year.
“When you are doing the right things and doing what you’re supposed to be doing, he’s all about elevating everybody that’s around him,” Fa’Dorah said. “And so I think it was just a natural elevation of first, they had to see am I doing the job they need done? And, two, I had to earn trust.”
That trust is there now. Fa’Dorah has access to the building at CU, and DJ’d throughout fall camp practices, as well as other select practices, recruiting weekends and other events.
“Anytime the football team needs music, I’m the one that provides that,” he said.
Now, that includes road games and a high level of trust from Coach Prime and the players.
“This job position and this job title was very much earned, so I feel blessed to be afforded the opportunity, but also to be able to keep the opportunity,” Fa’Dorah said. “I really am trying to be the soundtrack of the football team.
“I don’t come from a classically trained background in an instrument. I’m self-taught, and to think that this talent of mine has brought me to this level is surreal. You’ve got to pinch yourself because you feel like you’re dreaming.”