By Damilola Fatunmise
Jaywon has been able to stand out among his contemporaries in the music industry. His song, This Year, will continue to remain evergreen. The boss of Next World Music, in this interview, talks about his philanthropy and latest album, Oba Orin (King of Music).
What’s been happening to Jaywon’s brand?
It’s been a lot of work, and I’m excited about the album we just dropped. That is basically what I’ve been up to for a while now.
For how many years have you been working on the album?
Two years.
The music is titled ‘Oba Orin’ (King of Music), what’s the mystery behind it?
I didn’t give myself the title not because I am proud or anything. After the release, a lot of fans started calling me Oba Orin on twitter and I changed my handle to Oba Orin and it started trending.
How many tracks do you have in the album?
We have 21 tracks, two skits, and one intro.
Did you feature any popular artiste in the album?
Of course, we have the best voices in the industry like Tiwa Savage, Reekado Banks, Vector, Oritsefemi, Olamide, Phyno and more.
What are the things you look out for before signing an artiste?
In Nigeria, talent is not enough right now. But the first thing I look out for in an artiste is the talent. Secondly, the attitude.
Your 2012 song, This Year, was a banger. Do you have a hit song like that in the new album?
This Year is way too much than a song. It is big and I might find it difficult to make such a song again. There are so many people that did the remix of the song without my knowledge. And before you know it, within six months, the song will not reign again. I was at Eko Hotel some weeks ago for Shalanga, the way the song came out; it looked like a new song.
How do you get inspiration?
I just sit down and think. I think a lot, and that helps me a lot.
Aside music, what are the other things you do?
Right now, music has been putting food on my table. Yeah, I have a lot of things I do, but I don’t want to talk about it right now. Part of it has to do with my relationship and I really don’t want to talk about that right now.
Are you single or married secretly?
Not at all, I’m not married but I have someone who is very special to me.
When should we expect the wedding bell?
You might have to wait forever (laughter).
Who are you crushing on in the industry?
I am actually crushing on Niniola; I think she is actually good.
What attracted you to her?
She is talented and beautiful. I think she is just perfect.
How do you enjoy being the CEO and your own manager at the same time?
That’s actually very tough, me being a workaholic. The issue with me is, when you employ someone to do a job for you, and you end up being the one doing the job yourself, and everyone knows it’s not easy to pay salary because even if you are not getting enough income, people under you must get salary. So, if I am paying your salary and you are not doing what you are getting paid for, I don’t get comfortable.
If you have the opportunity of going back to Kennis Music, what would you have done differently?
If I have the opportunity to go back to Kennis Music, I will definitely grab it, but it will not be as it was before.
What would you have loved to change?
A whole lot, I think the barbaric industry we had then is not the same thing we have now. A lot has changed over the years, and for you to relate with today’s industry, you have to be a part of them. You need to know them more.
Can Jaywon ever dabble into movie making?
Why not? I am actually talking to some people right now. Mark it I will be in the next Super Story.
Take the music out of Jaywon, who is Jaywon?
Juwon is just like every young guy out there looking for a way to survive. When I go out and people see the way I behave, they will say this guy is humble. It’s not that I’m being humble; I am just being myself.
You are giving the first income from your album to charity, why?
I think the act of giving can never be too much. I was in Abuja sometime ago, and I’m like ‘wow, I have done this in Lagos why can’t I do the same thing here? I just follow my spirit. I can wake up in the morning and say 20 per cent of what I have at the moment should be given out.