The period marked by Young Jonn’s producer tag – “it’s Young Jonn, the wicked producer” – resonated throughout Nigeria’s top hits long before he thought of stepping onto the mic himself. His producer tag became a signature of sorts, but even that didn’t foreshadow his remarkable evolution. Young Jonn’s career has consistently been about surprising others, and even surprising himself.
“I didn’t plan it. I didn’t wake up one day and say I’ll become an artist,” he shares. “It just unfolded.”
His transition to a recording artist in the early 2020s was a significant surprise, yet looking back, it aligns perfectly with the philosophy he frequently mentions during our chat: “As creatives, we’re always meant to evolve… I was brought into this to evolve.” That instinct is the essence of his latest and most unpredictable project, Blue Disco.
The album opens with an unexpectedly personal touch: a Spanish version of the Lord’s Prayer. “I fell in love with the language,” he explains. “I thought, why not present the Lord’s Prayer in Spanish? Once we created it, I knew that had to be the project’s opener.” While it features international elements, Blue Disco is deeply rooted in personal experience. “This project reflects my life over the past year,” he simply states.
Ultimately, Blue Disco represents an artist arriving at a new self-understanding. “Everything is different now,” he confides. “I’ve evolved as a person, as an artist, as Young Jonn, and as Jiggy.”
We discussed how the album came together, the various moods and emotions captured in the tracks, and the personal experiences that influenced it.
—
Where did the title ‘Blue Disco’ originate from, and why do you think it fits this album?
Honestly, it just came to me. Earlier this year, when I decided to release a new project, I prefer to let things flow without forcing them.
So, I started creating without a clear direction. One morning in the studio with my younger brother, during a song session, he remarked, “This sounds like something for the disco.” When he said that, I simply blurted out “Blue Disco”. He agreed, and that was it.
The project is fantastic. You’ve always proven yourself, but this is not what people might expect from you. It’s quite unpredictable in that regard. What inspired you to take this leap into something more experimental?
I believe as creatives, we are meant to evolve. That’s something I have continually done since my days as a producer. I was brought into this to grow, and I will keep evolving.
It feels very global as well. How do you strike a balance between showcasing your versatility while preserving your identity? It still sounds like Young Jonn.
I avoid forcing anything. I was simply in the studio crafting music that resonated with me at the time. Everything I created during that period emerged from my mental state over the past year.
The album opens with Spanish, which is quite unexpected. What made you decide to begin it that way?
It’s a Spanish prayer—the Lord’s Prayer, “Our Father who art in Heaven.” I genuinely wanted to start the project like this. I traveled extensively this year and spent a lot of time in Spain, performing there three times alone. Even during my time in America, I met a lot of Spanish individuals. My passion for the language grew. So, I thought, why not present the Lord’s Prayer in Spanish? Once we completed it, I knew it had to be the album opener.
—
The album explores various emotions, touching on love as well as dance influences and moments of reflection. What were you aiming to express with these themes?
This project is fundamentally a reflection of my life over the past year, which is why I could address all these themes. I recorded the tracks at different times, capturing whatever thoughts occupied my mind in those moments.
It features contributions from numerous artists, resulting in a diverse mix. How did you decide who to include in the project?
Honestly, it wasn’t a conscious decision. I just created freely, without specific guidelines. Each song developed organically. I wasn’t searching for who fit where; I just let the creative process flow. Everything aligned naturally, which led to the features on the project.
Asake appears on two tracks. Was the chemistry that strong? What motivated you to include him twice?
Interestingly, even before all this, Asake and I spent a lot of time in the studio together back in Lagos. Before I became an artist and before he rose to fame, we would hang out, make music, or just spend time in the studio. We've always had that collaborative dynamic. For those tracks, apart from Che Che, I recorded them, and he loved them. I sent him the music, and he recorded the next day. Despite being busy lately, that connection has always remained.
Did creating this project
Manga Saint Hilare has released his new EP 'OUTERNATIONAL' in its entirety. The rapper is a significant figure in the grime scene, having played a vital role in defining the genre.
Susceptible to change, PARTYOF2 have reshaped their identity using the remnants of their past selves. Previously referred to as grouptherapy., it feels as though each time
After a long hiatus of several decades, Strange Boutique is celebrating their comeback with their new album, ‘Let The Lonely Heart Sing’. This album features a heartfelt selection of songs.
Ben Hazlewood is making his way into the spotlight with his latest release, ‘Another Day In Paradise.’ He puts his unique twist on Phil Collins’ timeless classic.
The British Fashion Awards has announced that Little Simz will receive the Cultural Innovator Award. The multi-award-winning artist is set to be honored with this recognition.
The period of Young Jonn’s producer tag - “it’s Young Jonn, the wicked producer” was marked by his name resonating through Nigeria’s top tracks well before he ever