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Juls
Juls in 2019
Juls in 2019
Background information
Birth nameJulian Nii Ayitey Adjin Nicco-Annan[1]
Also known asJuls Baby
GenresAfrobeats, Amapiano, Afrovibes
Occupation(s)Record producer, DJ, musician

Julian Nii Ayitey Adjin Nicco-Annan (born 25 October 1985),[2] better known by his stage name Juls, is a British-Ghanaian record producer,[3][4][5][6] disc jockey, and musician. He is known for his music contributions, particularly in Afrobeats circles,[7][8][9] and for the production of songs such as: "Bankulize" and "Skin Tight" by Mr Eazi; "Feel Alright" by Show Dem Camp; Rudebwoi Love by Stonebwoy;[10] and Gwarn by Burna Boy. He has collaborated with the label BBnz Live,[11] and has worked on A&R for Mr.Eazi's Life is Eazi album.[7]

Early life

[edit]

Juls was born in Hackney, East London, to musically inclined parents who moved from Ghana to Britain in the late 1970s.[12] He moved to Hackney, and then to Stevenage in Hertfordshire. He had his education in London, eventually acquiring a bachelor's degree and Master of Finance from the University of Surrey.[7]

Career

[edit]

In early 2010, Annan began to produce music. He produced "Feel Alright" for Show Dem Camp in 2012 and began to DJ in 2013 while finishing his studies in Surrey.[9] In 2013, Mr. Eazi began to promote shows in Kumasi, Ghana and sent the vocals for one of his songs (“Bankulize”) to Juls.[13] The collaborative track would eventually become a cult hit.[14][15]

He then began releasing his own music, including "Teef Teef," "With You," and "Give You Love". His debut album entitled Leap of Faith followed in 2017 with Ojekoo, which featured Kojey Radical, Maleek Berry, Nonso Amadi, Eugy, Not3s, and Kojo Funds. These albums both gained over 30 million streams on all major streaming platforms that year.[16]

He produced Wande Coal's "So Mi So", featuring Cruel Santino, in 2019.[17] Following this, he released the Colour project, which featured the likes of Sweetie Irie and Sway Clarke.[9]

“I don’t think there is anything wrong with our content. Look at all the quality videos that our artistes are putting out. Boasting our culture and our identity. The western media isn’t used to this new narrative. As our music scene gets bigger, it’s getting harder to ignore because African Pop music is what is hot right now. Look around you. Our influence is all over everything from film, to music to fashion. Also, I don’t think our aim or my aim anyways is to rub shoulders with “foreign counterparts”. It’s about spreading the culture and our music and getting heard. We haven’t had those resources and access to major funding that’s the only issue. And most African artistes are now getting educated on the business side of things so we don’t get cheated. It takes time. Illiteracy has been Africa’s major problem for developing as a continent. First solution is to take pride in our culture and educate ourselves first.”[7][18]

In February 2020, Juls traveled to South Africa to experience the culture of Amapiano first hand (a style of house music that emerged in South Africa in mid 2010s), and he began to explore producing the style of music.[19] He then released the 5-track EP Happy Place, which features artists from South Africa, Nigeria, Jamaica and Ghana, including singer-songwriter Busiswa.[20][7]

Since the release of Happy Place, Juls has released a 2-track collaboration with Sango entitled Fufu & Grits with Soulection, and another new single featuring Randy Valentine titled “Wata”.

Juls produced "U Say" on GoldLink's Diaspora album.[9] He later flew to LA to be appear in the video for the single, which featured Tyler, the Creator and Jay Prince, and was directed by Cruel Santino.[9]

Tours

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Juls performed at SXSW in both 2017 and 2018. He also performed at the Encore Festival, The Ends Festival, and TIDAL x Diaspora Calling with Lauryn Hill.[7][19] In 2019, Juls performed at the Ibiza Meltdown, Afro Republik/Wizkid,[16] and the ADE.[16] His self-curated tour A Night With Juls featured live sets and first premiered in New York in August 2019.[21][9]

Discography

[edit]

EPs

  • Solora (2014)
  • Berlin (2014)
  • MS (2014)
  • Ojekoo (2017)[22]
  • Happy Place (2020)[20]

Albums

  • Aamake Sange Nao (2014)
  • Finest Club Hits,Vol.8 (2015)
  • Finest Club Hits, Vol.9
  • Leap of Faith (2017)[23][24]
  • Colour (2019)[25]
  • Sounds of My World (2021)
  • Peace and Love (2024)

Singles

Year Title Album Ref
2016 Give You Love Give You Love [26]
2017 Gwarn feat. Burna Boy [27]
2017 My Wave Leap Of Faith [28]
2018 Sister Girl feat. Wande Coal [29]
2017 Your Corner feat. Nonso Amadi Ojekoo [30]
2017 Oshey feat. Moelogo, Siza, DJ Tunez Ojekoo
2019 Maayaa feat. Cruel Santino, Tiggs Da Author Colour [17]
2019 kokosa feat Damibliz, zlatan [31]
2019 Angelina Colour
2019 Cake feat. Mr Eazi
2019 Like Tu Danz feat. Kida Kudz, Ms Banks, Pa Salieu
2019 Your Number feat. Mugeez, King Promise Happy Place [20]
2020 Wishes feat. Jah Cure
2020 Wata feat. Randy Valentine [19]
2020 Fufu & Grits feat. Sango Fufu & Grits [19]

Achievements

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Juls won Producer of the Year at the Ghana Music Awards UK and AFRIMA Awards in 2017.[7] He also was nominated for Best African Act at the Music of Black Origin Awards that year.[32]

References

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  1. ^ "AFTER SIX". ASCAP. American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  2. ^ "Juls features Maleek Berry and Nonso Amadi on Early in the Morning". GhanaWeb. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  3. ^ "DJ Juls". Latest Naija Nigerian Music, Songs & Video - Notjustok. Retrieved 2020-04-01.
  4. ^ "JULS : chelseamusichall". Retrieved 2020-04-01.
  5. ^ "Juls - Against The Clock". FACT Magazine. 2019-09-25. Retrieved 2020-04-01.
  6. ^ "Juls - Against The Clock". FACT Magazine. 2019-09-25. Retrieved 2020-07-13.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g admin (2019-06-24). "THE INTERVIEW: JULS ON NEO-AFRICANISM AND THE AFRICAN MUSIC INDUSTRY". Blanck Digital. Retrieved 2020-07-13.
  8. ^ "Listen To Juls' Newest Project 'Colour' Featuring Ms Banks, Kojey Radical & More". GRM Daily - Grime, Rap music and Culture. 26 July 2019. Retrieved 2020-07-13.
  9. ^ a b c d e f "Juls". Notion. 2019-09-02. Retrieved 2020-07-13.
  10. ^ "Juls | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 2020-04-01.
  11. ^ "BBnZ Live". Discogs. Retrieved 2020-04-01.
  12. ^ Penney, Joe. "The Ghanaian producer behind Nigeria's favorite hits". The Outline. Retrieved 2020-04-01.
  13. ^ Penney, Joe. "The Ghanaian producer behind Nigeria's favorite hits". The Outline. Retrieved 2020-07-13.
  14. ^ "Mr Eazi Is West Africa's Newest Superstar". The FADER. Retrieved 2020-07-13.
  15. ^ "MR EAZI BIO". et.coca-cola.com. Retrieved 2020-07-13.
  16. ^ a b c "Juls". ADE. Retrieved 2020-07-13.
  17. ^ a b "Juls's "Maayaa" video is a stylish tribute to the women who raised him". The FADER. Retrieved 2020-07-13.
  18. ^ Juls in an interview with BlanckDigital
  19. ^ a b c d music, Claudia NamuA presenter with love for; meeting, travel I. like; busy, sparking a conversation with new people Forever trying to keep myself (2020-06-21). "WPGM Interviews: Juls – African Heritage, Building Relationships And 'Happy Place'". WE PLUG GOOD MUSIC. Retrieved 2020-07-13.
  20. ^ a b c "Juls Unveils New Globe-Spanning 'Happy Place' Project". Clash Magazine. 4 May 2020. Retrieved 2020-07-13.
  21. ^ "A Night with Juls | Live - Subterania | Tour Dates London". Retrieved 2020-07-13.
  22. ^ "Juls". AugustLiveGh Media. Retrieved 2020-04-01.
  23. ^ "First Listen: Juls' New Album Puts Him at the Forefront of the Alternative Afrobeats Movement". OkayAfrica. 2017-06-14. Retrieved 2020-04-01.
  24. ^ "Juls – Leap of Faith". Music In Africa. 2017-07-06. Retrieved 2020-04-01.
  25. ^ "Juls". Notion. 2019-09-02. Retrieved 2020-04-01.
  26. ^ "London-Based DJ Juls Channels Afrobeat in the Latest Highsnobiety Sounds Mix". Highsnobiety. 2016-11-22. Retrieved 2020-04-01.
  27. ^ "Listen To Burna Boy And Juls Team Up On Another Raunchy Song, 'Gwarn'". Konbini - All Pop Everything! (in French). Retrieved 2020-04-01.
  28. ^ Prspct (2017-09-14). "Afrobeat artist Juls shares the semi-animated video 'My Wave' [UK / Ghana]". Retrieved 2020-04-01.
  29. ^ "Juls Sister Girl ft Wande Coal new song". tooXclusive. 23 November 2018. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  30. ^ "Juls ft Nanso Amadi – Your Corner". AugustLiveGh Media. 2017-12-29. Retrieved 2020-04-01.
  31. ^ "Zlatan x Damibliz x Juls x Worlasi – "Kokosa" » tooXclusive | MP3". tooXclusive. 2019-02-14. Retrieved 2021-04-17.
  32. ^ "This year's MOBO award nominations have been announced". The Independent. 2017-10-18. Retrieved 2020-07-13.
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