Music creation is a long, creative, and complicated process that requires certain elements put in place to get the desired result. One of the very important elements is sound engineering, determining the outcome of the sound and what the audience gets to hear when the project is finished.
Coming from back in the days when the Nigerian music industry hadn’t grown much, many artists and labels did not know the importance of sound engineers, and due to this did not have projects that are of international standard.
Over the time, the impact of brilliant sound engineers like TY Mix, Suka Sounds, Sheyman, and Suspekt amongst many others kept music artists informed on the importance of proper mixing and mastering of songs, opening the doors to the many brilliant sound engineers whose works has travelled far beyond the shores of Nigeria.
On WN Picks this week, we highlight some popular Nigerian sound engineers and how far their work has travelled.
Victor Kpoudosu (VTEK)
Known in the music industry as VTEK, Victor Kpoudosu has been a torchbearer of Afrobeats in Nigeria for over a decade, working with renowned artists and on smash hits, EPs and albums some of which includes Kizz Daniel – Barnabas EP specifically on songs like Lie, and Pour Me Water, Buju’s Sorry I’m Late EP, Adekunle Gold ft Davido – High, amongst many more.
Also, VTEK received a Grammy Nomination alongside Angelique Kidjo for the Best Global Album Award at the 2022 Grammys Awards.
From back in the days, VTEK has credit for Psquare’s viral hits ‘Personally’, ‘Shekini’ and ‘Eje Ajo’ which all contributed to his stardom as a music producer and sound engineer.
Timilehin Joseph Jolaoso (Timi Jay)
Known as Timi Jay, Timilehin Joseph Jolaoso has worked with several notable names such as BNXN, Burna Boy, Zlatan, Kizz Daniel, Naira Marley, Zinoleesky, Mohbad, Bella Shmurda, Davido, BOJ, and Olakira in the Nigerian music industry.
Timi Jay started as a Disc Jockey way back in his secondary school days before deciding to go into sound engineering with his sound and production style majorly influenced by Drake, One Direction, and Whitney Houston.
In an interview with Guardian Life, the Nigerian sound engineer stated what music is like to him, likening it to art, science and business.
“Music to me can be classified as an art, science and business. As an art, music is life and can effect change. It is not a want; it is a need. If you try to imagine yourself without it, you are bound to feel incomplete. It has become a necessity in our lives.”
Some of the recent smash hits Timi Jay has worked on include Olakira’s Maserati, and BNXN’s Commander in Chief.
Babatunde Moyosore Adedo (Spyritmyx)
Known as Spyritmyx or K9myx, Babatunde Moyosore Adedo is a Grammy nominated Nigerian sound engineer who has worked with notable names in the Nigerian music industry.
The Nigerian sound engineer has credits with big names such as Rexxie, Spyro, Peruzzi, Badboy Timz as well as a couple of other upcoming names.
He has credit for ‘Do Yourself’ by Angelique Kidjo and Burna Boy, earning him his Grammy nomination.
Efe Destiny Esuakpor (Swapsonthemix)
Known as Swaps or Swapsonthemix, Efe Destiny Esuakpor is one of Nigeria’s foremost sound engineers having worked with prominent names in Nigeria’s music industry as well as in Africa.
Some of the artists he has worked with include prominent African artists such as Reekado Banks, Iyanya, Vector, Yemi Alade, Seyi Shey, Cabosnoop, Solid Star, Kizz Daniel, and 9ice amongst many more.
Conclusion
Due to the acceptance of the sound engineering craft and its impact on music, we have started to witness an influx of sound engineers in the industry. However, the numbers are not as high as expected because sound engineering requires skills and lots of creativity to be able to stand out.
On WN Picks this week, the sound engineers we highlighted are some of the best in the industry, adding their magic touch to every music they touch while they continue to cover more grounds in their career.