Young Jonn Wants You To Follow Your Own Path
Nigerian singer, songwriter and producer Young Jonn has been making waves for the past few years all over the world and is now snatching the hearts of his American fan base without even trying. Also known as Jiggy, his latest album has solidified his spot in the Afro-beats genre and he shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. I got to catch up with him to learn how he got his start in music, what to expect from him in 2025 and much more. Keep reading to learn all about Young Jonn!
FEATURE INTERVIEW:
How did you get your start in the music industry?
My start in the music industry, as everybody knows, I was always a producer, and I’ve produced many songs. And yeah, that was really my side in the music industry. That is what really introduced me to everybody. And the old scene in general. My first major hit song as a producer was working with Olamide for “Story For The Gods“.
So you go from producing, and you decide to become an artist. What made you decide to want to be an artist opposed to just a producer?
I mean, it just happened. I never really planned it. I had been recording music a lot at that point. I just decided to start putting them out. And you know, a lot of influence from my friends and people that were listening to the music kinda motivated me to just try it out.
How has your Nigerian culture influenced your music?
My culture is immensely influenced by my music. My sound and everything generally, you know, cause I can’t deny my roots. I would never do that. If you listen to my music a lot, you know, I always put a lot of a lot of indigenous language, the sound, the drum pattern, the vibe. Everything is African.
What is your favorite African meal?
I really like white rice on stew.
Talk to us about your Nigerian culture.
I feel like when you ask people about tribes in Nigeria, most people will say it’s either Igbo, Yoruba or Ausa, you know, but there’s a lot of other tribes other than that in Nigeria. But those are the 3 major tribes, you know. But I mean, I spend a lot of time around Yoruba people. I’ve been in Lagos all my life. So yeah, you can call me a Lagos, boy.
For anyone who’s never been to Lagos, walk us through like a day of you hanging out with somebody who’s visiting.
Well, I think I’m a boring person to hang out with, so… Because my typical day will be like… waking up, doing meditation, spending time by myself. I like to start my day just soaking it all in, you know.
Staying under the sun, I love the sun. Letting the sun shine on me. Let the blessings in, after that, I’m starting my day. We’re probably gonna go to the studio later on in the day. Then go get lit in the evening. In Lagos, the nighttime is when we come alive, you understand?
Afro-beats is having a major moment right now here in America. Can you share with us your experience of breaking into the American market?
I mean, it’s been so far so good. It’s been a joy ride, keeping up with the momentum, taking it one day at a time, one step at a time. I just keep going and pushing.
Do you think there’s a difference between your African fans back at home and your new American fans that are finding out about you?
I mean, there’s a little difference just because of the demographics, but regardless of race there’s still a lot of similarities as well. The love between my fans and I all over the world brings people together.
When I go to my concerts I see different types of people. I see a lot of Africans. I also see white people too. So, I feel like that’s what brings everybody together, you understand? Regardless of the race at that moment, music is all everyone cares about.
How did you get the names Young Jonn and Jiggy?
I’ve always calling myself Young Jonn since I was like really young. And not just me, my friends too, cause they always used to say I had a baby face. Jiggy came later down the line as something my friends and I used to always call ourselves back in the day. Like Jiggy was just a representation of our lifestyle, you know the way we like are always happy and active.
Earlier this year you released your debut album “Jiggy Forever” which features 16 songs. Take us back to the process of creating this album.
Honestly, when I was recording a major part of this album, I had no idea I was recording an album. I’m an artist that because of my background as a producer, I’m always working and I’m always recording. There’s not a time I’m not working, even when I’m playing, I’m working because I have my little setup always with me, you know?
I’m hanging with the guys, I step back for a little bit, drop a few lines then go back again and do my thing. So, like I was just recording and recording and recording. When it was time to put out a project, we just put all of it together. I picked some that were in line with my vision for the project. Then I recorded a couple new songs, too and yeah, “Jiggy Forever” was born.
What’s your current favorite song from this album?
I mean, that’s obviously a difficult question when people ask me what my favorite song is on the album cause, you know… It can change. And also, it’s just like asking a dad like, who’s your favorite kid.
For those who’ve never listened to your album, what song are you playing for them?
I know you might start from the beginning. If you’re all about love, I’ll tell you to listen to songs like “Aquafina”. I’d play “Maya Maya”, if you’re all about spirituality and consciousness and “Tony Montana”.
“Stronger” might be a personal favorite, because that’s a song I wrote for my mom, you understand? But if you’re about that party life, you should listen to “Big Big Things”.
Talk to us about the song inspired by your mother, “Stronger”.
When I initially listened to the beat it was gonna be a love song. I’m not gonna lie, cause I did some instrumental really sweet, you understand? But then, I was in Abuja, and I was just listening to the instrumental over and over with my setup there, and the first thing that came to my mind was those first lines of the song, and then from that moment I knew.
I thought, oh this is not a love song. This has to be about my mom, because that’s the first thought that came to my head, and it just went on from there. Before I knew it, I was recording the song. I was in the company of someone that day I recorded this song for my mom that I was dating. Coincidentally, a few months later, this same girl also lost her life, so for me, this song has a lot of sentimental value.
Outside of music, what is something you do just for you?
I play soccer a lot. I love to play soccer, and I think I’m really good at it, you know?
What is your current favorite Cologne?
That’s a tuff question… right now I’d have to say Oud For Greatness, Armani Prive and Nishane Nefs.
Leave Galore readers with one piece of life advice, anything that comes to mind.
Advice is hard, because what works for me may not work for you. I think everyone should just follow their own path. You have a different story, so you have to write your story your own way, because your story is unique. Your story is different, like you can never be the next person.
TEAM CREDITS:
Editor-in-Chief: Prince Chenoa
Feature Editor: Taylor Winter Wilson (@taylorwinter)
Photographer: Samuel “22” Agofure (@22.jumpstr)
Creative Direction: Joy Martins (@jooytotheworld)
Production: Isioma Esther (@esiomah)
Wardrobe Stylist: Chilaka Emmanuel Chinonso (@whytace)
Public Relations – Anastasia Wright – (@imgagency)
