YOUNG JONN
Hey, Young Jonn, how are you today?
YJ: Hey Vicky, Thanks for having me. I'm good, are you good?
I’m great thanks, congratulations on your new album, how do you feel about it?
YJ: I feel good, blessed and amazing.
Before we dive into the present, let’s go back a bit, as I'm actually from the same motherland as you, however I’ve not been back to Nigeria since I was about 4 years old, so would love to hear about your childhood in Ibadan?
YJ:My Childhood was nice, I grew up in a church. My dad had a church he was a Pastor, my Mum was also a Pastor, and she had a school. So, I kind of grew up in a Christian, educational background. It was nice.
I also heard you had multiple hobbies like basketball, playing various musical instruments, dance and even miming! How did you make time for it all?
YJ: It was amazing, for some reason I would always do something that was in the forefront, that had lights on me (laughs). When I was in school, I would play soccer and basketball. In the church we would dance and then I played the drums and keyboard at church. My childhood really was about playing sports a lot, instruments and playing video games.
You really seemed to have enjoyed school! Why do you think education is important?
YJ: Yeah, these days people would think or say ‘education is a scam; education is a scam’ but I don't think so. Education gives you a bigger insight into what life really is about, however, I never really stayed in school because I was a part time student, it was called distant learning. I was always in the studio.
So I hear one of your first ventures as a musician, was within the group AVG with your brothers! What does AVG stand for and what was it like working with them?
YJ: Having a group with my brothers was fun, there was a lot of fighting and a lot of fun (laughs). The group was with me, my elder brother and my cousin, it was three of us. We used to rap, and it was very fun. AVG meant ‘A vanguard’ my older brother made the group name, it's a funny name (laughs). My older brother was really a bookie, he would read books a lot, he loves big and meaningful words, shout out to him.
What artist most inspired you, when you were younger?
YJ: Well, I used to listen to a lot of artists when I was younger because my uncle use to stay with us at our home and he was a big music fanatic. He used to bring all those CD’s that had a mixture of Artist that would be like two hours long, so I use to listen to everyone. Omarion, Bow wow, Michael Jackson, Sean Paul, P Square, Lagbaja.
Lagbaja use to come on the radio a lot when I was growing up so yeah.
Who are you currently listening to?
YJ: Right now, I'm listening to a lot of Artist. I'm listening to myself a lot (laughs) and then I listen to Rylo Rodriguez, I listen to Rod Wave, Asake, Ayra Staar, I love Ayra staar her music is amazing. I listen to Seyi Vibez. I just listen to a combination of everything, I just love great music. It also depends on mood as well.
I’ve personally been listening to your music for 2 years and would describe your voice as angelic, great vocals, beautiful harmony’s and good vibes! - Who inspires your sound?
YJ: My music is generally inspired by my life experiences, If you listen to my music, it’s really about my life, you know. Thats what I be really singing about, I don't know if I'll sound corny, but I inspire my music (laughs). My music is really about my life experiences, what I've faced, or people close to me and what they’ve experienced.
Once again congratulations on your new album called “Jiggy forever” You are currently number one on the Nigeria album charts and now number one on Nigeria weekly top album on Spotify. How do you feel??
YJ: I feel good, I'm not even going to lie, this is my debut album and picking at number one it makes me feel good. I’m really curious and optimistic to see what the future holds, you know.
You’ve worked with amazing Afrobeat artist like Olamide, lil Kesh, Davido and more, for aspiring music producers - what’s advice would you give to them?
YJ: To be honest I'm not really big on giving advice because I realise different things works for different people but what I'm going to say is, when you find out what works for you just keep doing it. Regardless of what it is, how hard it is or the obstacles you face just keep doing it, don't stop because that’s what really matters the most.
You’ve collaborated with great talent, such as Sean Paul, Kizz Daniel, Seyi Vibes, Blaqbonez, and more. How was that experience working with them?
YJ: Great experiences, I'm not even going to lie. Most of the artists that are featured on my album are artists, that I've worked with in the past, apart from Sean Paul and Don Jazzy. So it was a really easy going, smooth experience and they kept the vibes going and I'm big on energy and vibes. I don't like to force anything and everything was done seamlessly.
And are there any artists who you would still like to make music with in the future?
YJ: Yes, for me it's really about vibes and energy! As much, as I would like to make music with this person and that person, it's really more about connecting with them and being in the same room, to see if we are vibing on the same frequency - that's really what's Important to me and that way we can make music! So I'm really open to anybody.
So I would love you to elaborate on the song where you said “Mogbe, Kilode they don’t want me to showcase they say, “this money too long, top true you must be criminal”. What exactly did you mean by these lyrics?
YJ:Basically a lot of people that have been in Nigeria and also stay in Nigeria for the longest experience profiling issues with the police and law enforcement agencies. When they see you looking good as a fly young boy you must be a criminal, your moneys too long, you must be a criminal, or you have a skeleton in your closet. That's really what it's been for years, so the song ‘Show case’ really highlights the social issues that been going on in Nigeria, the profiling by the police ESCC bursting in your house in the middle of the night and accusing you because you have so much money, Thats really what the song is addressing.
We appreciate and love the fact that you also shared a very transparent and vulnerable song in your album called “Stronger”. How was it, to make such a personal song about your mother?
YJ:Well that song is a very touching song because the sad fact is when I was recording that song I was hanging out with a friend, I was in Abuja when I recorded the song I was with her for the whole day. Unfortunately, she’s since passed. I lost her before the Album came out, so it's just crazy that the person I sang about and the person I was with whilst recording the song is no longer here. Thats the back story on that side. However, the song is about my Mum and how I wish she was here to see all of this, she always told me, all of this was going to happen! It would've been amazing to have her experience it with me, but you know it is what It is.
Oh, I am so sorry for your loss. I feel that you’re always humble and thankful for what you’ve managed to achieve thus far that you’re always looking to use your fame in a positive way. In a few weeks your hosting an album listening event in Lagos for a Cancer Research Centre. What are you looking forward to on those days?..
YJ: I'm looking forward to meeting up with people and the fans and just connecting with everybody that comes out. I love the fact the people that are coming and looking forward to connecting with me. It would just be a full circle moment you know, reflecting, discussing and connecting.
We salute your heart of giving back to charity. As someone who is so open, can I ask what advice you would give to others experiencing grief?
What I would say, I don't think there's any way to deal with it, I don't think there's any way to fight the pain just give it time to heal, that's what I did. I tried to fight the pain until i realised I couldn't fight it no more I eventually just sub-com to it and time heals everything. Just don't fight the pain and sometimes pain is good it gives you strength and remember life goes on.
Now I’ve been looking at your tweets and saw that you replied to a tweet that said “jokes aside nobody can stay celibate for a year” you responded “I did “- are you still standing on that statement? If so, what did you learn about yourself within that year?
YJ: I know it's kind of hard for people to believe but yes, I did. For me I wanted to see how long I could go for and also it was a teaching process, teaching myself how to control, my body, my urges and my thoughts besides that, I was just tired, and I had to tell myself ‘Bro, you need to take a break’ (Laughs). I think a lot of men need to go through that and experience it to see how much power you have. In that process you realise that as a man your mind has so much ability, that it is just limited by your sexual urges.
Whats next for Young Jonn?
YJ: What's next is touring and doing my shows. I have couple of dates ahead and that’s what I'm really looking forward to now and also focusing on right now. Doing my shows and going on tour, from there we move, I like to take things one step at a time.
“I’m definitely coming to London soon; I know I've been saying this for forever I apologie but I'm coming soon. However, I would like to say to my UK fans the support has been amazing, and it breaks my heart that I'm not able to share this moment with you guys and very soon I'll be there live and direct and were going to go crazy.
— When you will be coming to London and What would you like to tell your London fans and supporters?
