Rising Producer OluwaJBeats Talks His Recent Hit ‘Owner’, His Journey & More!

The rising Afro-Swing producer OluwaJBeats, has been catching the eyes of many with his recent hit ‘Owner’ alongside AdeJosh, Keys The Prince and Charlie Mase. Having first stepped onto the scene back in 2018 with his debut release ‘Good Morning’, which featured the likes of Naira Marley and StarboyWillz – it’s been nothing but an up-hill climb for the promising producer since. Known for his feel-good and up-beat production, OluwaJBeats prefers to let the music do the talking by merging his African culture in with the UK’s current soundscape – creating only the freshest of hits!

We recently caught up with OluwaJBeats to find out a bit more about his come up, his latest single and more!

I’d love to go back to the very beginning of your journey, what was your upbringing like? How were you introduced to music?

From young, I was going to Church and was bought up around a musical family; I was going to Church, in the choir and picking up instruments – I didn’t even realise music was a part of me from a very young age. As I was growing, I was starting to see different aspects in life, but I thought hold on, there is more to music – music is deep and spiritual. I knew I had something for this, something was there for me!

When did you start producing beats? Were you influenced by any other producers or artists?

I couldn’t tell you how long I have been producing for but I could tell you; from a young age it was something that I didn’t really clock I was doing. I did have big role models like Don Jazzy; his journey has been a journey that I have had my eye on because we have the same background, how he started was how I started as well – through Church, playing live sessions for bands and parties etc.

Recently, the Official Charts launched the ‘Afrobeats Charts’ – being an Afro-Swing producer, how important do you think is it for us to have this chart?

I feel like it’s important because our voices are now being heard. For a while, we haven’t been struggling; we’ve been shutting it down, but if everyone wants to know the latest, they can go to the Afrobeats Chart and find what’s new. We have a category for ourselves, so it’s not a mixture of vibes, we have our own chart and people can find us there – it’s really dope! We are moving; things are actually coming together now! I was so excited when this happened! I was like ‘God, is this you yeah?!’ *laughs* It was dope! It’s something we need, especially in the UK – it’s been needed! Hopefully, it takes it to the next level now!

What do you think are the biggest challenges you face as a producer?

As a producer, I can only talk for myself – I don’t know how other producers do their thing! For me, energy is a big thing, I always have to protect my energy at all costs. When I’m out and about, I’m more reserved, I am the quiet one – if anything, people will say I am the shy kid; but I am just protecting my energy. When I’m out, people don’t understand me, instead of doing the most I allow my energy to be put into my music so you can feel where I am coming from.

If you prefer to protect your energy, regarding you approaching artists or visa versa – Do you find it better to build a relationship with them prior before you get into the studio?

It depends! I feel like I have been gifted to read energy, I feel presence. If I know that there is something that is going to be meaningful, I already know that the energy is already on top notch, so it’s not something I have to worry about. Whereas, if the energy isn’t there, whatever artist comes to me; there’s no point because the energy isn’t there. If  you want good content, we have to be on a good vibe!

What advice would you give to someone who wants to start a career in production?

First thing I would advise – be yourself! Don’t watch what’s out there, watch yourself! Whatever you put your mind to, best believe that you are going to conquer it! Don’t be looking out, not everything that glitters is gold and not everybody is going to be true to you. Sometimes, you will have to follow your instincts, when you find that direction you have to follow it, it will lead you into a position that you never thought you would be in.

You released ‘Owner’ not so long ago! An absolute banger! You called on AdeJosh, Keys The Prince and Charlie Mase for the track! What made you pick these artists in particular?

I have been producing for a while, I have worked with various artists like Naira Marley – I just wanted to do something different that would attract people’s attention. ‘Owner’ was a vision that was shown to me that I wanted to execute. Vibes are a big plus to me; my energy needs to be at ease at all times so I can see the direction; I’ve always wanted to do something that would make me stand out and this is exactly that. There are plenty of producers, if anything you will see producers do what I did on ‘Owner’ – that’s how ‘Owner’ came about. I told AdeJosh and Keys The Prince, they were aware of it, when you are on a journey people don’t really tap into it, they’ll be like ‘Bro said he has something’. We must’ve been at Charlie Mase’s video shoot, after that we went to the studio and caught the vibe!

Did you ever anticipate how much this single would take off?! Didn’t it get spotlight of the week on the Afrobeats chart?!

Yeah! In all fairness, it had already been shown in a vision, so I had already seen it – I know I am talking mad spiritual but that’s how I operate! I had already done the beat and I knew it had a spiritual vibe, it was only right I called AdeJosh, Keys The Prince and Charlie Mase to bring this to light – the guys did justice to it as well! Every single one of them are good at their craft!

You released your debut single back in 2018! How much do you think you have grown and learnt since then? What do you think separates this single from your previous releases?  

The collaboration: although I have worked with two people on a track, I have never done three! Everything was smooth, nobody dropped the ball from start to finish – it ticked all the boxes that needed to be ticked!

Is there anyone in particular that you would love to collaborate with in the UK or overseas?

There are lots of people! I’ve had my eye on Tiwa Savage recently – it’s coming, she just needs to find me! *laughs* I know it would be a hit, but for now it’s all God’s timing! I am working with various artists now, but Gods timing is the best timing – there’s no rush!

What else can we expect to hear from you this 2020?

You should have your eyes out watching OluwaJBeats’ footsteps! I’m a vibe! *laughs* If anyone else is a vibe, we can go vibe together and get it! Nothing is stopping it, if we are all focused and it’s all positive – we are getting it! That’s what’s happening this 2020! There are a couple things lined up, but it’s all in God’s timing so once I get the go-ahead, we are running with it!

Keep up to date with all things OluwaJBeats via his Instagram here!