Singer, Oluwajuwonlo Iledare, aka Jaywon, tells TEMITOPE ADETUNJI about his career and other issues
When you look at where the industry is today, what excites you the most, and what concerns you?
What excites me the most is seeing Nigerian music become truly global. Today, our music is played on the biggest stages in the world, and it is a proud moment to see institutions such as the Grammys recognise afrobeats with its own category. Social media has also changed everything. Before, artistes depended heavily on radio and television, but now talented people can promote themselves directly and reach audiences worldwide.
My biggest concern is the rapid growth of artificial intelligence in music. AI itself is not bad; it is a tool. We should use it to improve our creative process, not replace creativity. My concern is that, if it is not used responsibly, it could water down the value of music because creating music is becoming easier than ever. The challenge will always be preserving genuine talent, artistry and originality.
Looking back, when was the exact moment you realised music wasn’t just a passion but something you wanted to pursue professionally?
