I never thought I would make it this fast–YOUNG JOHN

Young John

He is arguably Nigeria’s youngest music producer and one of the most sought after in the industry today. With barely four years in the industry, Udomboso John popularly known as ‘Young John the wicked producer’, has proven himself to be one of the best hands in the industry having produced hit songs like Olamide’s Story for the gods, BOBO, Pepenazi’s Illegal among many others. He speaks with ADEWOYIN ADENIYI on diverse issues. Excerpts…

YOU are arguably Nigeria’s youngest music producer, and within a short period of time you have been able to attain a certain level of success; how did you get here?

The only person I can give credit to is God because without him none of this would have been possible. I have heard some people’s success story and almost everybody are like mehn you go tey for this Lagos but based on believe, hard work and prayer.

Does that mean you weren’t born or raised in Lagos?

I be Akwa Ibom boy oh… but I was based in Ibadan, from Ibadan to Osun State, from Osun State back to Ibadan and then to Lagos.

Why all the inter-state movement?

You know its God that keeps one moving, na em dey carry our leg waka for this life. I will just say He’s the one that designed my movement and everything that brought me here.

How long have you been in Lagos?

I have been here for like four to five years now.

Aside from Olamide which other artistes have you worked with?

Although the first big song I produced is Story for the gods by olamide but I have worked with the likes of Sexy Steel and Jaywon before Story for the gods and from there I have move on to bigger things by the grace of God, I have produced more songs and will still do more this year God willing.

How did you meet Olamide?

Actually I work with Hit factory and they already have this relationship with Olamide’s YBNL. I met him at the Hit factory studio when he was recording his YBNL album and we built a relationship from there, we kept linking up and he calls me sometimes to come over let’s work. I had some works that couldn’t make it to the previous albums so over time we kept working, then Story for the gods came and did the magic.

What inspires your production skills?

The only thing I can say is God, because I have been able to make different kinds of music in different circumstances, different situations and conditions so I can’t point out something that serves as an inspiration other can God. I can’t say this is the mood I have to be in to create this kind of music, so it’s all God.

Do you take anything to get high before production?

Well, I don’t believe you have to be under any influence before you can achieve a certain level of productivity but some people do believe in it. I’m not against anybody taking what they believe in, I think you should stick to whatever that works for you. That is just my own philosophy.

What have been your challenges so far?

Like my friend Buckwyler will say; for every next level there is a devil to level. Basically, for every stage in life there has to be some circumstances and they are usually inevitable and by the grace of God I don cross one, unto the next one. I can’t say for sure that these are the circumstances but one way or the other, if you are aiming for something bigger the challenges will also become bigger.

Everybody believes that producers come and go but some try to stay. The fact that everybody does it doesn’t mean it is easy as it seem but working with the right artiste, creating the right songs sand staying motivated and praying for new grace because it’s only the grace of God that keeps one moving.

You were nominated alongside the likes of Don Jazzy, Legendary beats and other top producers at the Headies award; having spent just four years in the industry how does that make you feel?

I felt really good because almost everybody on that category are people that I looked up to at a time. Even now I still look up to them. So being in the same category made me feel great even though I didn’t win and I lost the award to Legendary beats but they were worthy opponents .

So why didn’t you pull a Kanye on them?

Ahahaha no now na Legendary now. They are my brothers and besides they deserve the award because they really work hard.

Did you serve tutelage under any producer?

I won’t say I did. It’s just that I learnt from a lot of producers because I was always moving from one place to another. Even when I was in Ibadan I had a little home studio in my room. There was still a studio I used to go to in the neighbourhood. I learnt from the producers there, I learnt from Groovie, Big Ben. Then I moved to Lagos, I was close to Feelz (Mr Producer), he is like my friend so I learnt a lot of things from Feelz , I learnt a lot of stuffs from Gospel, I learnt from virtually everybody I came across. If I come across someone I try my possible best to learn from that person. So, basically that’s how I gathered most of the information I have about everything I know now.

When did you realise you wanted to be a music producer?

Okay, basically I grew up in the church. My dad is a pastor,  he had a church when I was young, I used to play the keyboard, the drums at a very tender age. I started playing the drums when I was about three or four years old and the keyboard. When I was eight, I knew no matter what I do in life there is going to be an attachment of music in it although I didn’t know how it was going to happen but God knows how he plans his things. I just found myself producing and I am enjoying it.

Does that make you a church boy?

Yes feel free to call me a church boy because even sometimes when there is no service I just go to church to play instruments. My dad also bought a keyboard for me that I had in my room, there was a time I had drum set in my room too, music was just all over me. My mum used to play the guitar, she played keyboard, she also played violin. It was just music everywhere for me.

You came into limelight almost immediately you came relocated to Lagos; will you say you were expecting it that fast?

It would be joke if I say I was expecting it. I always knew it would come because I am full of positive vibes and I believe in God and I know that as long as I believe, there is nothing impossible. I just believe it was possible and kept on doing my thing, everybody said you still have a long time to go but in my mind I was like ahh see this people  I go leave una for here. I just thank God it came at the right time.

Considering your background; what was your parents’ reaction when they knew you were going to be producing secular music?

I will like to say God gave me the most wonderful parents in the world, they are very understanding, supportive and loving because when I made my decision to go into music that wasn’t in the line of what most people believe was wrong per se. I remember some of my dad’s friends told him we used to see your son somewhere and he just told them ‘look just leave him.’ He is so understanding.

There is difference between career and real life values, your profession shouldn’t affect who you are as a person and just have that same belief but know where you come from.

Who do you think was right or wrong at the Headies award?

I won’t say anybody was right or wrong because I believe we all see things from different perspectives. Olamide like he always does, he always support his own people. So he was just supporting his younger brother, let me put it that way because YBNL is a family.

Girls must be flocking around you now probably because of the money and fame; how do you cope with them?

I won’t lie here, with the little one God don give me I have seen a lot of attention from the female fans. They love me and I really appreciate them for that.

What’s your kind of woman?

Ahhh I can’t say for sure. Maybe when I see her I will know.

Does that mean you are not in any relationship now?

No I’m single now. I think I am not just lucky with relationships but hopefully when the right girl comes I will know.

Do you have anything doing aside music production?

I am still young and definitely I hope as time goes by and as God expands me in knowledge and in funds I am going to bring in things because I have a lot of ideas and things I like to setup by the grace of God.

Who would you like to work with in the industry?

I really want to work with 2face, Wizkid. I will like to work with D’banj, Timaya and Femi Kuti. A couple of artistes too but these are the top on my list.

Who are you crushing on in the industry?

Hmmm am not sure oh!

Are they not hot enough?

I like them oh! Niniola is hot, I like Niniola die and I love her music too. I like Seyi Shay, Cynthia Morgan. I just like Niniola exceptionally but the crush part I don’t really know because even me I don’t know my type yet but I love them and I hope they love me too.

What was the experience like having lived in the west almost all your life?

It’s been cool. I am not Yoruba but I spent virtually almost all my life with Yoruba people. I think am used to them already and I don’t believe in ethnic differences I fit just change my mind now dey go Kano, I just believe all of us dey together.

Has the Yoruba language helped or affected your production in anyway?

I don’t even understand Yoruba because of the environment I grew with my brothers.