Put all Nigerian hip-hop, R’n’B, Rap, Afro beat, gospel songs all together you’ll surely find him churning out the best in all these genres. One of his singles, Cadensa a single where he was featured by a Tanzanian popular singer, JOten has sold him out beyond Nigeria.
Christened Babajide Olowoyeye, this Ekiti State born talented and versatile singer sure knows his onions, reason he’s able to always display excellence in the two areas he finds himself.
J12 as he’s popularly known in the music industry is a trained and practicing legal practitioner, yet his zeal for Law has not affected his love for music. In this exclusive interview, J12 talks about many especially his music career and the latest single Ileri which has recently become viewers favourite on African Magic and other TV, Radio stations across the country.: Enjoy-_
*What Has Been Happening To J12 Recently?*
It has been an amazing ride after the release of ILERI video earlier this year. I recently released my debut EP: CLUE and the acceptance has been massive. I’m currently working on collaborating with other talented acts. Shout out to all my super listeners for the support and encouragement. Expect nothing short of good music from me at all time.
*How is your new single with Tanzanian counterpart doing?*
CADENSA is doing well. It has helped to increase my visibility in Tanzania and I now have a fan base in East Africa. Some Tanzanian and Kenyan artists and producers have reached out to me for collaboration after the release of CADENSA and I’m positive that more collaborations are in the pipeline.
*Why Tanzanian and not a Nigerian?*
The collaboration was not planned, it was something that happened when I least expected it. J Oten reached out to me on Instagram and my team and I decided to accept the offer after checking him out, we thereafter shared ideas that birthed CADENSA and the rest is history.
*What are the challenges so far with music?*
The major challenge has always been access to funding, it is difficult to promote your music as an independent artist if you don’t have a major source of revenue. Shows and brand partnerships are a major source of revenue generation for artists but show promoters and brands would prefer to associate with A listers. Be that as it may, I will continue to push for the love of my craft and I thank God for the new grounds and exposure I’ve gained recently.
*You made a mark with your collabo with JOten what are you doing to do same with an international artiste?*
To start with, Cadensa is an international collaboration because it was made with a Tanzanian and many collaboration opportunities have opened up for me by virtue of the release of CADENSA and I’m currently open and exploring these opportunities to ensure that I make something greater than Cadensa with fellow Nigerian artists and artists from across the continent.
*Your single is making waves on tv stations across the country, what brought the inspiration in the first place?*
The state of the country was what inspired me to write ileri. I believe that an inspirational song like ileri is what is needed to lift the spirit of the citizenry and our leaders at this crucial time. Shout out to all radio and TV stations playing ileri.
*Let your fans know more about you and not J12*
I love simplicity and sincerity. I am a go getter. I am a legal Practitioner.
*What next are you working on?*
More good music as usual, collaboration with brands and lots of pleasant surprises.
*As Nigeria is stepping into another dispensation, what do you have to say?*
I want to implore my fellow Nigerians not to dwell on the past but support and assist the new government to make positive impacts. I’m optimistic Tinubu will move Nigeria forward. His government should also endeavor to fulfill its manifestos and ensure that the general public enjoy the dividends of democracy.
*How did you get inspired considering your busy schedule as a lawyer?*
I’m not a ‘must do this artiste’. I don’t smoke, don’t do drugs. Inspiration comes to me easily, it’s an inbuilt thing. Even sitting in the courtroom, attending to clients, driving, eating, everywhere I go inspiration flows.
