Banjo Oluwasemilogo, a 23-year-old music producer from Ogun State, popularly known as Original (producer name) or Semzi (artist name), has produced beats on most of the top-selling songs in recent years. As a walking wildcard, he adds to the lists of young talented producers shaping the future of afrobeats. In this interview with Dom Alonge, he talks about his journey as far as beat-making is concerned and the biggest lessons he has learned in his career.
Can you give us an insight into how your producer tag, Original, was picked?
I just felt like it was the one.
How long have you been doing music professionally?
Professionally, I would say 5-6 years, around 2019/2020.
How early did you discover your talent for beat making?
That was in junior school. I got this laptop that had a beat-making app on it. Then I started using it with YouTube and learning online. I just found myself doing it every day. I continued chasing it since then.
Can you tell us the easiest and most challenging song you have had to produce?
I won’t say there is any challenging song I have had to work with. The challenge itself, that’s the art. Having to figure out how to make the song work, that’s the beat-making process. So, I enjoy that process. The easiest, I would say, is ‘MJ’ by BadboyTimz.
For you, what are your top 3 collaborations right now?
Recently, I would say ‘Ohema’ by Victony. Then Omah Lay’s deluxe album, I had like three (3) songs on it. So that’s like 4 already.
As a producer and as an individual, what song would you say was your breakout hit?
That would be ‘MJ’ by Badboy Timz, 2020.
There’s a lot of synergy, collaboration, and good relation between yourself and P Prime, how did that come about? How did you come to meet him and how would you describe your relationship with him?
Prime is my brother, my friend. We have known each other for a couple of years, I can’t remember how long, but it has been long. We have been good friends and it turned out that we have the same passion for music, so we decided to chase it together. Besides the music, he is my very good friend.
In your experience in the industry, what would you say is the biggest lesson you have learned so far?
My biggest lesson so far is that whether you are experiencing highs or lows, just keep working. Don’t let the music stop.
Did you have any experience at the beginning of your career that made you certain that this is the career path for you? Any encounter that made you certain?
Way back, I was shuffling about 10 artists at home, and that was not even on a professional level. I just had a lot of friends that were into music, and I was the only producer in the area. And I have very good friends like Oladapo, Picasso amongst others, and we are always working. So it just made me believe in myself.
Do you think you would ever venture into being a musical artist? Do you think there is an arc for you to transition into a producer artist?
Of course. My voice is just under warm-up right now. It is something I would want to go into eventually, but I am still enjoying beat making at the moment.
It’s the trend nowadays for producers to be involved in EP productions that are under your name, do you see yourself venturing into that? If yes, which artist would you feature on it?
Left to me, I have not met half of the artists I would want to put on the tape. But based on the artists I have met, I would say Oladapo. There are going to be a lot but he is one person I am sure of.
If you weren’t into music, what do you think you would be doing? Would it be related to music or what?
I would have been selling ice-cream. Music is my only plan, I don’t have a plan B.
Do you have any mentorship in your career or someone you look up to?
Metroboomin, Sarz, Pheelz.
What should your fans expect from you in 2024?
They should expect Crazy Semzi.
Is there any specific routine or ritual that you undertake during the period of your producing beat that gives you inspiration?
Just give me Amala and I am done.
Something that is totally unrelated to music that we might not know about you? Something random?
I like swimming.
What’s your top 5 best-produced beats by you?
Off my head, I would say ‘Never Forget’ by Omah Lay, ‘Holy Father’ by Victony, ‘The Best’ by Mayorkun and Davido, ‘Skelele’ by Badboy Timz and Olamide, ‘Pronto’ by Ajebo Hustlers and Omah Lay.
