April 11, 2024 at PDT
Jiggy Forever
On his debut album Jiggy Forever, Nigerian producer-turned-artist Young Jonn marks a transformation through emotive log drum and tropical and classically infused Afrobeats. Pairing his ear for beats with melodic messages of aspiration and affirmation, Young Jonn delivers an upbeat manifesto. “‘Jiggy’ is a lifestyle that simply means staying fly and trying to stay above the waters regardless of what’s going on in your life,” he tells Apple Music. “It’s just vibes that carry the energy and emotions I felt at different times, in different places and different moments.”
With assistance from Seyi Vibez, Blaqbonez, Zlatan, Sean Paul, Kizz Daniel, Ya Levis, and Don Jazzy, the Ibadan native layers lyrics ranging from the flex-y to the heartfelt and spiritual over his signature orchestral sound. “My production used to have a lot of emotions and a lot of strings,” he says. “This was influenced by me growing up in a church environment. I kind of carry these emotions with me everywhere I go, either with production or singing. I let the beats sink into me and just vibe on top.” Below, Young Jonn talks us through the emotions that inspired each of the tracks on “Jiggy Forever.”
“Tony Montana”
“Ironically, ‘Tony Montana’ is a prayer song, regardless of the title. It’s begging God to come through and shine a light on you, ’cause you know you have what it takes—you know you’re bad like Tony Montana.”
“Pot of Gold”
“‘Pot of Gold’ is a dance track but still a very deep, conscious track. The early timings of the song speak about how I’m switching from a producer to a singer and just looking for a pot of gold. I’ve done so many things in life, like, ‘Will I ever find the pot of gold?’”
“Bahamas”
“This is a summer vibe. I’m just feeling myself, saying I’m not ready for fake emotions right now and just wanna enjoy my life. I’m unavailable on a beach in the Bahamas. I’m just telling the girl, ‘Don’t tell me you love me, you have to show me the evidence… I don’t wanna do too much, ’cause I’m in my element.’”
“Aquafina”
“Coming from my background as a producer, I do a lot of mixtures ’cause I’m used to always experimenting. I kind of infused the heaviness of the drums and everything into my own strings. So this is a typical love song with that heavy drum backing, saying, ‘If you don’t love me, just let me know.’”
“Big Big Things” (feat. Kizz Daniel & Seyi Vibez)
“‘Big Big Things’ was made for the club, no two ways about it! Don’t come to me with anything average or small. I only want big things in life: big money, big moves, big women.”
“Bucket List”
“This is a favorite song of mine. Contrary to the very forceful sound, it’s a very mellow song. It’s a proper love song, you know? Slow vibes, midtempo, chilled trumpets. I’m just saying, ‘You’re number one on my bucket list.’”
“Showcase” (feat. Blaqbonez)
“I enjoy making music with Blaq; it’s now our fourth song together. This track happened seamlessly, and it’s a lifestyle song. If you’re conversant with a lot of things going on over here, people used to complain about the police a lot. I mean, it has reduced, but you can’t really show off in Nigeria ’cause they’re probably gonna say you're into this or that. Just leave me alone to showcase what I want to!”
“Jeje”
“‘Jeje’ is an easy dance track. I’m basically talking about a girl that’s stressing me out. Like, you don’t have to lie and over-hype yourself! Just take it easy, it’s either you’re in or you’re out.”
“Stronger”
“‘Stronger’ is a song for my mum. I lost my mum in 2019, and this was one of the things that made me dive into recording my own music. I was spending a lot of time locked up with myself and recording a lot—I kinda just had to put that music out. They say what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, but this particular one didn’t make me stronger—I’m still weak!”
“Hold On” (feat. Sean Paul)
“I recorded this song in Madrid and was actually in the studio with Memphis Depay. He was actually gonna take the beat, but before you know it, I’d recorded the chorus! I sent the song to my manager—she’s a very imaginative person and was like, ‘We should get Sean Paul on it.’ Earlier this year she sent me a message saying we got Sean Paul; it was crazy!”
“Maya Maya” (feat. Ya Levis)
“I love France a lot, I won't lie, so I was looking for French collaborations. I lost someone really, really close to me and it really touched me. There’s a lot of regret in this song, talking about how you love someone but you never really gave them so much of your time. Now they’re gone.”
“50 Billion” (feat. Zlatan)
“This is just an imaginative song—if only I had [50 billion]! Zlatan is one of the biggest stars in the country and he really did justice to the song. It’s a full-on party vibe.”
“Full My Tank” (feat. Don Jazzy)
“Don Jazzy is one of our great producers, and having him on this song means a lot to me. I really wanted him on a track because, growing up, I used to listen to a lot of his production. So this felt symbolic because I’m doing the same thing in this generation.”
“Shine Shine”
“‘Shine Shine’ is kind of like a confessional and a song of affirmation. I’m saying nobody can kill my spirit.”
“Sharpally”
“This one was produced by Jaytunes. I was in Lagos recording and ‘Aquafina’ had hit No. 1 on Apple Music. I was really in a big mood and was feeling myself. I’m always making stuff for the ladies, and this is another big vibe for the ladies.”
“Go Hard”
“This is just to reiterate what they say on the street: ‘Go hard or go home.’ You put your best foot forward, or just leave it.”
16 Tracks
