Producer Jahboy To Release Afrobeats Album Featuring Davido, WizKid, Anthony B
Jamaican Afrobeats producer Jahboy is confident that his upcoming debut album will reap Billboard chart-topping success. The project, dubbed Afrobeat Nation, will be headlined by Afro-fusion heavyweights Davido and WizKid, and reggae-dancehall veteran Anthony B.
“It’s an Afrobeats album mixed with some dancehall and reggae and I really have big expectations for it; it’s going to go Billboard,” Jahboy told DancehallMag. “People can expect a different kind of vibe and sound, nobody nuh really used to that kind of sound here that I’m coming with. It’s going to be a great album.”
The set is slated for release in November and will host around 20 tracks. Jahboy has no single favourite from the project, and instead predicts sure hits with Davido’s Forever, WizKid’s You and Anthony B’s I Love You More. The latter was released as a single in 2019.
“I have Sean Dampte on the album too with a big song called Want You,” he said. “I have a whole heap of other acts on it too. I have a next young artiste on it that I’m pushing, and her name is Miss Gudas.”
Jahboy produced Dampte’s 2017 hit Tight, which received heavy rotation on BET Soul.
The producer said he started working on Afrobeat Nation last year, which is solely produced by his Jahboy Bailey Productions. Though some music industry players are delaying project releases because of the physical restrictions when it comes to promoting during the COVID-19 pandemic, Jahboy is adapting to the times.
“COVID nuh really matter cause people still listen to music every day just the same,” he said. “When it comes to promotion, we’re gonna be promoting the album on iTunes, Spotify, YouTube, and really every streaming and social media platform there is.”
Jahboy, whose given name is Alrick Bailey, is no stranger to the Afrobeats community. The Kingston-based producer formed alliances with Nigerian singer, songwriter, and producer Mr. P several years ago, who showed him the ropes of creating and producing the popular genre. Since then, Jahboy has built a reputable name among Africa’s finest artistes and producers, and prides himself as the resident Afrobeats producer in Jamaica.
He found early success working with Davido on the 2012 hit Ekuro, which he co-produced. He has also worked with Nigerian act Ben Anansi and Kenyan singer Cathy Matete. The latter is featured on Anthony B’s Wine For You, which was also produced by Jahboy and released in January.