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Jonathan Kweku Awote-Mensah (born 27 March 1992), known professionally as Jae5, is a British-Ghanaian record producer and mixing engineer from Plaistow, East London. He is a Grammy Award-winning producer and is signed to Black Butter Records.
Key Information
Early life
[edit]Jonathan Mensah grew up in London as a child and moved to Ghana from age 9 to age 12 with his brothers. He is the older brother of NSG members Kruddz and OGD.[1] When he moved back to London, he did courses at the program APE Media, where he developed production and engineering skills. His older brother also had a DJ program where he learned how to use Fruity Loops and other software tools.[2]
Career
[edit]Jae5 was part of a production company called JOAT Music Group, started by his uncle Blemish and artist Randy Valentine.[2] He began working with J Hus with JOAT in 2015 and produced the mixtape The 15th Day to widespread acclaim.[3] He later began producing for other British artists such as MoStack and Dave. In 2017, he executive produced the album Common Sense by J Hus, spawning the successful single "Did You See".[4] Following that success, he worked with Burna Boy on the songs "Sekkle Down" and "Calm Down". Also in 2018, he worked with Geko, Shakka, Mr Eazi, Rudimental, and Young T & Bugsey, as well as producing NSG's most successful single "Options". In 2019, he produced the multi platinum single "Location" and "Disaster" by Dave. His producing credits earned him accolades such as the GRM Rated Awards and MOBO Awards for Best Producer.[5][6]
In 2021, Jae5 released his debut single as a lead artist called "Dimension" featuring Skepta and Rema.[7][8]
Artistry
[edit]Jae5 was credited by many publications as a producer for pioneering the fusion genre of afroswing.[2] His sound is described as a fusion between grime, afrobeats, bashment, and dancehall.[9]
Discography
[edit]Singles
[edit]As lead artist
[edit]| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK [10] |
IRE [11] |
NZ Hot [12] | ||||
| "Dimension" (featuring Skepta and Rema) |
2021 | 58 | — | — | TBA | |
| "Propeller" (featuring Dave and BNXN fka Buju) |
2022 | 38 | 59 | 28 | ||
As featured artist
[edit]| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK [10] | |||
| "Who's True" (Tion Wayne featuring Davido & Jae5) |
2021 | 50 | Green With Envy |
| "Back In Uni" (Blaqbonez & Jae5) |
2022 | – | Young Preacher |
| "Devil's Enemy" (Zakhar & Jae5) |
– | — |
Production discography
[edit]2015
[edit]- J Hus – The 15th Day
- 01. "I'm Coming" (produced with JOAT Music Group)
- 02. "Shawty Inda Bando" (featuring Baseman) (produced with JOAT Music Group)
- 03. "Bangers & Mash" (featuring Deepee) (produced with JOAT Music Group)
- 04. "Warm It Up" (produced with JOAT Music Group)
- 05. "No Way" (produced with N2theA)
- 06. "Dubai" (featuring Locz) (produced with JOAT Music Group)
- 07. "Drive Me" (featuring Fekky) (produced with JOAT Music Group)
- 08. "Forget a Hater" (featuring NSG) (produced with JOAT Music Group)
- 09. "No Lie" (produced with JOAT Music Group)
- 11. "Guns and Butter" (produced with JOAT Music Group)
- 12. "Calling Me" (produced with JOAT Music Group)
- 14. "How It Goes" (featuring Randy Valentine) (produced with JOAT Music Group)
- Mostack – So Paranoid – Single
- 00. "So Paranoid"
2016
[edit]- J Hus – Playing Sports
- 01. "Playing Sports"
- 02. "Clean It Up"
- 03. "Free Up"
2017
[edit]- Dave & J Hus – Samantha – Single
- 00. "Samantha"
- J Hus – Common Sense
- 01. "Common Sense" (produced with The Compozers)
- 02. "Bouff Daddy"
- 03. "Clartin"
- 04. "Leave Me" (produced with IO)
- 05. "Closed Doors"
- 06. "Did You See"
- 07. "Like Your Style"
- 08. "Plottin"
- 09. "Sweet Cheeks" (produced with IO)
- 10. "Fisherman" (featuring MoStack & MIST) (produced with Steel Banglez)
- 11. "Good Time" (featuring Burna Boy)
- 12. "Spirit" (produced with TSB & IO)
- 13. "Mash Up" (featuring MoStack)
- 14. "Goodies"
- 15. "Good Luck Chale" (featuring Tiggs Da Author) (produced with Show N Prove)
- 16. "Who You Are"
- 17. "Friendly"
- NSG – Yo Darlin' – Single
- 00. "Yo Darlin'"
- French Montana – Unforgettable (J Hus Remix) – Single
- 00. "Unforgettable (J Hus Remix)" (featuring J Hus & Swae Lee)
2018
[edit]- 04. "Sekkle Down" (featuring J Hus)
- 12. "Calm Down"
- J Hus – Big Spang
- 01. "Dark Vader"
- 02. "Scene"
- 03. "Dancing Man"
- Geko – 6:30 – Single
- 00. "6:30" (featuring NSG)
- NSG – Natural Disaster – Single
- 00. "Natural Disaster"
- Shakka – Tribe Tuesday – Season 2
- 02. "Long Ting"
- 06. "123"
- Rudimental – Toast to Our Differences
- 04. "Walk Alone"
- Mr Eazi – Life Is Eazi, Vol. 2 – Lagos to London
- 13. "Yard & Chill"
- Young T & Bugsey – Living Gravy – Single
- 00. "Living Gravy"
2019
[edit]- Dave – Psychodrama
- 05. "Location" (featuring Burna Boy)
- 06. "Disaster" (featuring J Hus) (vocal engineer)
- 06. "Don't Leave Me Lonely" (featuring Yebba) (produced with Picard Brothers, Mark Ronson, P2J, Tom Elmhirst & Brandon Bost) (also programmer)
- Ransom FA – Be Somebody – Single
- 00. "Be Somebody"
2020
[edit]- J Hus – Big Conspiracy
- 04. "Triumph"
- 05. "Play Play" (featuring Burna Boy) (produced with Nana Rogues & Scribz Riley)
- 06. "Cucumber" (produced with IO & Nana Rogues)
- 07. "Repeat" (featuring Koffee)
- 08. "Fortune Teller" (produced with IO, Levi Lennox & Maestro)
- 11. "Must Be"
- 12. "One and Only" (featuring Ella Mai)
- 13. "Love, Peace and Prosperity"
- 14. "Deeper Than Rap" (produced with IO)
- Dyo – Dyologue
- 01. "Real"
- NSG – ROOTS
- 04. "Nonsense" (featuring Chip)
- 07. "Zantoni"
- 14. "Ourself"
- 18. "Options" (featuring Tion Wayne)
- Burna Boy – Twice as Tall
- 15. "Bank On It"
- Young T & Bugsey – Plead the 5th
- 03. "Madonna"
- 04. "Don't Rush" (featuring Headie One) (recording engineer)
2021
[edit]- Octavian – ALPHA
- JAE5 - Dimension – Single
- 06. "System" (featuring Wizkid) (produced with Kyle Evans, P2J & Joe Reeves)
- 07. "Lazarus" (featuring Boj) (produced with P2J & Joe Reeves)
- 08. "Law of Attraction" (featuring Snoh Aalegra)
- Skepta – All In
- 03. "Nirvana" (with J Balvin)
- 04. "Lit Like This"
- Not3s – 3 Th3 Album
- 03. "3rd Eye"
- Headie One – Too Loyal for my Own Good
- 07. "Finer Things"
- NSG – Petite – Single
- 00. "Petite"
- NSG – Headliner
- 02. "Suzanna" (featuring Patoranking)
2022
[edit]- Koffee – Gifted
- 03. "Shine"
- 09. "Pull Up"
- King Promise – 5 Star
- 08. "Ginger"
- M Huncho – Chasing Euphoria
- 08. "Pray 2 The East" (featuring BNXN fka Buju) (produced with Emmanuel Asamoah & Nana Pokes)
- Burna Boy - Love, Damini
- 09. "It's Plenty" (produced with ElementZ)
- JAE5 - Propeller – Single
- 00. "Propeller" (featuring Dave & Bnxn)
- Zakhar - Scars On My Mind
- 09. "Tough Love"
- D-Block Europe - Lap 5
- 03. "She's Not Anyone"
- 03. "45"
- Blaqbonez - Young Preacher
- 04. "FashionNova"
- 05. "Back in Uni"
- Zakhar & JAE5 - Devil's Enemy - Single
- 09. "Devil's Enemy"
- BNXN fka Buju - Omo Elewa - Single
- 00. "Omo Elewa"
2023
[edit]- Libianca - People - Single
- 00. "People (Remix)" (featuring Ayra Starr & Omah Lay)
2024
[edit]- Unknown T - Blood Diamond
- 03. "WELCOME 2 MY STRIP" (featuring Odumodublvck)
Awards and nominations
[edit]| Year | Event | Prize | Recipient | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Rated Awards | Best Producer | Himself | Won | [5] |
| MOBO Awards | Producer of the Year | Himself | Won | [6] | |
| 2021 | Grammy Awards | Best Global Music Album | Twice as Tall | Won | [14] |
| MOBO Awards | Best Producer | Himself | Won | [15] | |
| 2023 | A&R Awards | Producer Of The Year | Himself | Nominated | [16] |
References
[edit]- ^ Rose, Ajay (7 May 2020). "Inside the Unstoppable Rise of NSG: 'The UK's Best Group'". Vice.
- ^ a b c Kochhar, Nazuk (26 April 2017). "Meet Jae5, The East London Genre Blender Behind J Hus's Out Of This World Afrobeats Sound". The Fader.
- ^ "Why J Hus Is A Rare Breed Of Sick Rapper and Anthem Factory". Link Up TV. Archived from the original on 22 March 2017. Retrieved 21 March 2017.
- ^ Mosanya, Lola (18 October 2017). "Meet JAE5, the producer behind J Hus' Common Sense album". BBC.
- ^ a b "Wizkid, JAE5 and M1llionz win at the MOBO Awards". Sony Music.
- ^ a b "J Hus and JAE5 win at the 2020 GRM Daily Rated Awards". Sony Music.
- ^ Kavuma, Jason (19 March 2021). "After Shaping The UK's Afroswing Sound, JAE5 Is Stepping Out Solo". Vice.
- ^ Keith, James (19 March 2021). "JAE5 Calls On Skepta, Rema For Feel-Good Debut Single "Dimension"". Complex.
- ^ Ababio, Jesse (8 June 2021). "Get Familiar With Ghanaian Producer Jae5 With These Exciting Projects". Kuulpeeps.
- ^ a b "Jae5". Official Charts Company.
Peak positions for the singles in the UK:
- For "Propellar": "Chart Archive > 5–11 August 2022". Official Charts Company. 5 August 2022.
- ^ "IRMA – Irish Charts". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
- ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 8 August 2022. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
- ^ "British certifications – Jae5". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 3 August 2024. Type Jae5 in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
- ^ Shafer, Ellise (14 March 2021). "Grammys 2021 Winners List". Variety. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
- ^ "MOBO AWARDS 2021 WINNERS REVEALED!". MOBO Awards. 6 December 2021.
- ^ "The A&R Awards 2023: The finalists revealed!". Music Business Worldwide. 26 September 2023. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
Early life
Background and family
Jonathan Kweku Awote-Mensah, known professionally as Jae5, was born on 27 March 1992 in East London to Ghanaian parents who immigrated to the United Kingdom. As the second of five boys in his family, Awote-Mensah grew up in the Plaistow area of East London, where his household was immersed in Ghanaian music genres such as Afrobeat, highlife, and hip-life, largely through his mother's collection of records from artists in those styles.[7][8] His older brother played a key role in introducing him to hip-hop and house music during his early years, sparking his initial interest in sound manipulation and DJing.[9][8] Awote-Mensah's two younger brothers, OGD and Kruddz (real names undisclosed in public records), are members of the UK Afroswing group NSG, with whom he has maintained close familial and professional ties, including production collaborations.[10][11] At age nine, Awote-Mensah and his siblings were sent by their parents to their family's native Ghana as a disciplinary measure for behavioral issues, where they resided for approximately three years until he was 12.[7][12] This period in Ghana, living with extended family, exposed him further to local music production tools and culture, laying the groundwork for his career, though specific details about his parents' or extended family's direct involvement in music remain limited in available accounts.[7][9] Upon returning to East London, Awote-Mensah continued to draw from his dual cultural heritage, blending Ghanaian influences with the urban sounds of his upbringing.[13]Introduction to music
Jae5, born Jonathan Kweku Awote-Mensah, developed an early interest in music through exposure to his older brother's diverse collection of garage, hip-hop, and house records while growing up in Plaistow, East London. Tracks from artists like Timbaland, Missy Elliott, Ms Dynamite, and So Solid Crew shaped his initial tastes, fostering a broad appreciation for rhythmic and electronic sounds that blended urban and international elements.[14][15] At age nine, Jae5 was sent to Ghana for three years as a disciplinary measure by his parents, during which limited entertainment and internet access prompted him to experiment with music production. Using basic DJ software like PCDJ Red and Fruity Loops on a family computer, he began recreating grime beats from memory, marking his first hands-on engagement with beat-making out of sheer boredom. This period also introduced him to Ghanaian hiplife artists such as Kwabena Kwabena, reggae influences like Lucky Dube, and even pop like Celine Dion through family.[14][12][13] Returning to London at age 12 and relocating to Old Street, Jae5 shifted focus to production by age 14, enrolling in courses at the APE Media academy to master professional tools like Logic Pro. There, he started weekly sessions with his uncle Blem, a rapper and producer, which provided mentorship and practical experience in crafting beats, laying the foundation for his future career.[14]Career
Early productions and breakthrough
Jae5, born Jonathan Kweku Awote-Mensah, began his production journey in his early teens while living in Ghana, where he was sent at age 10 for disciplinary reasons. Using a demo version of Fruity Loops software, he experimented by recreating tracks from memory, drawing influences from hiplife, grime, and artists like Timbaland. Upon returning to East London at age 13, he enrolled in courses at the APE Academy of Pro Audio Engineering, learning Logic Pro and honing his skills under the guidance of his uncle Blem, a rapper and producer. These formative years laid the groundwork for his genre-blending style, initially focused on electronic and urban sounds.[14][9] In his mid-teens, Jae5 joined the production collective J.O.A.T. (Jack Of All Trades) alongside Blem and Randy Valentine, where he contributed to early tracks for emerging artists. He produced beats across genres like dubstep, drum'n'bass, grime, and rap, often charging £20 per hour or £150 per beat to sustain himself. Notable early works included contributions to tracks for Nu Brand Flexx and initial afrobeat productions for the group NSG, which gained local traction in London's underground scene. During this period, he also served as an engineer on various projects, gradually asserting more creative control despite initial resistance from artists. These efforts, though not yet mainstream, built his reputation in East London's music circles.[16][9][17] Jae5's breakthrough arrived in 2015 through his collaboration with rapper J Hus, whom he met via mutual DJ connections. Their first joint track, "Lean & Bop," fused hip-hop, afrobeats, and rude-boy elements, peaking at No. 60 on the UK Singles Chart and marking Hus's pop debut while opening industry doors for Jae5. This led to Jae5 executive-producing Hus's mixtape The 15th Day that same year, a rapid 15-track project recorded in two weeks that showcased their chemistry on songs like "Friendly." The partnership culminated in 2017 with Jae5 handling production on 12 of the 17 tracks for Hus's debut album Common Sense, including the hit "Did You See," which propelled the album to No. 6 on the UK Albums Chart and earned nominations for the BRIT and Mercury Prize. This era established Jae5 as a key architect of the UK's afroswing sound.[14][9][16][4]Major collaborations
Jae5's production career is marked by significant partnerships with prominent UK and international artists, blending Afroswing, grime, and Afrobeats elements. His most enduring collaboration began with J Hus in 2015 through the JOAT Music Group, where he served as executive producer on Hus's mixtape The 15th Day and debut album Common Sense (2017), the latter peaking at number 6 on the UK Albums Chart and earning BRIT and Mercury Prize nominations.[16][14] Key tracks from this partnership include "Lean & Bop" (2015), which introduced Hus's signature style, and "Did You See" (2017), a garage-infused hit that showcased Jae5's ability to fuse cultural influences.[9][16] In 2019, Jae5 produced "Location" for Dave featuring Burna Boy, a multi-platinum single that reached number 6 on the UK Singles Chart and highlighted his melodic Afroswing production.[4] That same year, he collaborated with NSG and Tion Wayne on "Options," a UK top 10 club track that earned platinum certification and demonstrated his knack for high-energy, dance-oriented beats.[16][3] His work extended to pop spheres with co-production on Mark Ronson's Late Night Feelings (2019), including the track "Don't Leave Me Lonely" featuring Yebba, bridging urban and mainstream audiences.[4][18] Jae5's international reach grew through contributions to Burna Boy's Twice As Tall (2020), including "Bank On It", with the album winning a Grammy Award for Best Global Music Album in 2021.[5] He continued this trajectory with "I Wish" (2023) featuring Libianca, the latter blending R&B and Afrobeats to critical acclaim.[16] In 2024, collaborations included "Dishonest" with Tyler ICU and Sha Sha, and "Normally" featuring NSG, reinforcing his role in evolving UK urban music.[19] By 2025, Jae5 contributed to Blaqbonez's tracks "Bizzy Body" (featuring Valiant and The Kazez) and "Mary Mary" (featuring LeoStayTrill), expanding his Afrobeats footprint.[2] These partnerships have earned Jae5 accolades like the MOBO Award for Best Producer in 2020 and multiple platinum certifications, underscoring his impact on global soundscapes.[3]Solo endeavors and recent projects
In 2021, Jae5 transitioned from primarily working as a behind-the-scenes producer to releasing music as a lead artist, debuting with the single "Dimension" featuring Skepta and Rema, which blended afrobeats rhythms with UK rap elements and peaked at number 58 on the UK Singles Chart.[20] This marked his first foray into foreground artistry, showcasing his ability to fuse global sounds while maintaining his signature production style. The track's success, garnering over 17 million YouTube views, highlighted his growing presence beyond collaborations. [21] Building on this momentum, Jae5 released "Propeller" in 2022, featuring Dave and BNXN (formerly Buju), which climbed to number 38 on the UK Singles Chart and amassed 16 million YouTube views, emphasizing themes of aspiration and cultural fusion through its infectious afrobeats-infused beat.[22] That same year, he collaborated on "Who's True" with Tion Wayne and Davido, reaching number 50 on the UK chart and further solidifying his role as a lead vocalist and performer in the track's vibrant, cross-cultural energy.[23] These releases demonstrated Jae5's evolution, allowing him to explore personal expression while leveraging his production expertise. In 2024, Jae5 expanded his solo catalog with the collaborative EP Loveless alongside Nigerian artist Lojay, released on March 8 via Black Butter Records, comprising four tracks that delve into themes of romance and heartbreak with amapiano and afrobeats influences. [24] Key tracks include "Dishonest" featuring Tyler ICU and Sha Sha, which highlights layered percussion and melodic hooks, and "I Wish," serving as the lead single that previews the EP's emotional depth.[25] The project received praise for its lyrical cohesion and Jae5's prominent vocal contributions, marking a significant step in his artist development. Additionally, he teamed up with NSG for the single "SPIN DA BLOCK," released in 2024, which infuses high-energy drill elements into his afrobeats foundation.[26] Jae5's recent projects in 2025 have focused on a series of introspective singles, beginning with "Die Trying" on June 8, followed by "No Mercy" on June 11, both released under 7288523 Records DK and exploring resilience and introspection through minimalist production and raw lyricism. In September, he dropped "The Way It Goes," a two-minute track emphasizing personal growth and rhythmic subtlety, further showcasing his solo vocal range. [27] Collaborative efforts continued with Joshua Baraka, including "Wrong Places" and "Dive In," the latter released on October 9 via MOVES Recordings, blending soulful afrobeats with themes of navigation and emotion to critical acclaim.[28] [29] These endeavors reflect Jae5's ongoing commitment to diverse sonic explorations as a lead artist, balancing solo introspection with high-profile partnerships.Artistry
Musical style and production techniques
Jae5's musical style is characterized by its genre-blending versatility, drawing from Afrobeats, hiplife, hip-hop, house, dubstep, bashment, and even ballads to create an infectious, groove-oriented sound. His productions often fuse Ghanaian hip life and Nigerian Afrobeats with UK urban elements like drill and orchestral strings, resulting in a sonically all-encompassing and unpredictable aesthetic that emphasizes melody, movement, and emotional depth. This eclectic approach reflects his East London upbringing and Ghanaian roots, allowing him to adapt fluidly to different artists without adhering to a fixed signature sound.[30][14][7] In terms of production techniques, Jae5 typically begins with drums or melodies rather than basslines, building layers through chord progressions and vocals before incorporating bass and additional "ear-candy" elements. He limits beats to four or five core sounds to maintain clarity, often refining them after receiving artist vocals to avoid sonic clashes, and tests drafts by sharing with a group of 10 people, releasing only if a majority approve. His process incorporates both digital and live elements: he uses software like Logic Pro X and Omnisphere for synth experimentation, such as pluck sounds and vocal manipulations with effects like wah-wah, while employing hardware like the Nord Lead 4 for real-time synth control. To add longevity and emotion, he frequently integrates live instrumentation, including saxophone on tracks like Dave's "Location" and strings on J Hus's "Must Be," collaborating with classically trained musicians when necessary. Jae5 prioritizes groove over rigid rhythms, avoiding stiff drums to evoke the fluid movement of his Ghanaian influences.[30][14][7] Influences from producers like Timbaland and Quincy Jones shape his focus on beats that stand independently, while dubstep's complex sound design inspires his experimental edge, as seen in vocal-like synths and layered effects. This methodical yet collaborative workflow—often involving multiple iterations with J Hus tracks—ensures his tracks balance innovation with accessibility.[30][14][7] In January 2026, Jae5 clarified the distinction between a beat maker, who primarily creates the instrumental track, and a full music producer, who is involved in the entire song process including beat creation, recording, arrangement, mixing, and selecting features. This explanation, shared via social media, sparked debate on X, with users referencing his collaborations with artists such as Rema, Skepta, Dave, and Bnxn, and extending discussions to the roles of composers, songwriters, sound engineers, and crediting practices in music production. The post generated significant engagement, trending with over 800 interactions across related discussions.[31]Influences and cultural impact
Jae5, born Jonathan Kweku Awote-Mensah in East London to Ghanaian parents, draws heavily from his dual cultural heritage, having spent formative years in Ghana between ages 10 and 13, where he absorbed local sounds that later informed his production. This period exposed him to afrobeats and highlife music, blending seamlessly with his London upbringing steeped in grime and UK rap, creating a diasporic sound that reflects both African roots and British urban influences.[9][32] His broader musical palette includes inspirations from producers like Timbaland for rhythmic innovation, early Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones collaborations for melodic depth, and diverse genres such as reggae, dubstep, drum and bass, and even Celine Dion's power ballads for emotional layering. Jae5 has cited his older brother's grime mixes—featuring artists like Dizzee Rascal and Kano—as an early spark, while Nigerian afrobeats and Ghanaian hip life provided rhythmic foundations that he fuses with UK elements like sparse percussion and orchestral strings.[30][9] Jae5's work has profoundly shaped the UK's Afroswing genre, particularly through his executive production on J Hus's 2017 album Common Sense, which earned Mercury Prize and BRIT Award nominations and introduced a hybrid of afrobeats, dancehall, and grime that dominated UK charts and influenced subsequent artists. Tracks like "Did You See" and "Lean and Bop" exemplify this, merging African rhythms with London slang for a sound that resonated globally, earning him a Grammy for Burna Boy's Twice as Tall in 2021. His productions for NSG's "Options" and Dave's "Location" (with Burna Boy) further amplified African diaspora influences in UK music, popularizing the sampling of African elements in rap and fostering a new wave of genre-blending that has permeated the British scene. In recent years as of 2025, Jae5 has continued this impact through projects like the collaborative 'Loveless' EP with Lojay (2024) and productions for artists such as Blaqbonez, bridging UK urban and Afrobeats sounds on a global scale.[30][9][33][6][2]Discography
Singles as lead artist
Jae5's transition to a lead artist began in 2021 with the release of "Dimension," a collaborative track featuring British grime pioneer Skepta and Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Rema. The single, which blends Afroswing rhythms with introspective lyrics about personal growth and cultural roots, marked his debut in the spotlight beyond production credits and peaked at number 58 on the UK Singles Chart.[20] Building on this momentum, Jae5 followed up in 2022 with "Propeller," enlisting UK rapper Dave and Nigerian artist BNXN (formerly Buju) for a high-energy anthem exploring themes of ambition and resilience. The track's infectious hook and fusion of Afrobeats and hip-hop elements propelled it to a higher chart position of number 38 on the UK Singles Chart, spending nine weeks in the top 100 and solidifying Jae5's presence as a multifaceted artist.[22][34] In 2023, Jae5 expanded his lead output with "Love Made Me Do It" featuring BNXN, a soulful mid-tempo track released on July 27 that delves into the complexities of love and vulnerability, showcasing his vocal contributions alongside production prowess. Later that year, he teamed up with Lojay for "I Wish" featuring Libianca, released on June 1, which became his biggest lead single to date on genre charts. The emotive Afrobeats ballad, centered on longing and introspection, achieved a peak of number 10 on the Official Afrobeats Chart and amassed five weeks on the chart.[35][36] Jae5 continued his lead artist trajectory into 2024 with singles like "Dishonest" alongside Lojay, featuring South African artists Tyler ICU and Sha Sha, released on March 6 as part of the collaborative Loveless EP. This amapiano-infused track highlights themes of relational deceit and earned praise for its cross-cultural production. He also dropped "Normally" featuring NSG on May 17, a vibrant Afroswing cut emphasizing authenticity in relationships, which debuted at number 18 on the Official Afrobeats Chart, further demonstrating his evolving style.[37] By 2025, Jae5 released additional singles including "No Mercy" on June 11 and "The Way It Goes" on September 14, maintaining his focus on genre-blending Afrobeats with introspective narratives. These tracks underscore his growing catalog as a lead artist, often featuring high-profile collaborators while prioritizing emotional depth and rhythmic innovation.[37]| Title | Featured Artists | Release Date | UK Peak Position (Singles/Afrobeats) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimension | Skepta, Rema | 2021 | 58 / - |
| Propeller | Dave, BNXN | 2022 | 38 / - |
| Love Made Me Do It | BNXN | July 27, 2023 | / - |
| I Wish | Lojay, Libianca | June 1, 2023 | / 10 |
| Dishonest | Lojay, Tyler ICU, Sha Sha | March 6, 2024 | / - |
| Normally | NSG | May 17, 2024 | / 18 |
| No Mercy | - | June 11, 2025 | / - |
| The Way It Goes | - | September 14, 2025 | / - |
Production credits
Jae5 has established himself as a pivotal producer in the UK music scene, blending Afroswing, grime, and Afrobeats elements across numerous high-profile projects. His production work often emphasizes rhythmic percussion, melodic synths, and cultural fusion, contributing to the global rise of artists in the African diaspora. Early in his career, he executive produced J Hus's debut mixtape The 15th Day (2015), which introduced the Afroswing sound to wider audiences. He continued this collaboration as executive producer on J Hus's albums Common Sense (2017), featuring the breakout single "Did You See" which he also produced and mixed, and Big Conspiracy (2020), where he handled production on tracks like "Triumph" and "Play Play" featuring Burna Boy.[38][39] In 2019, Jae5 produced several standout tracks for Dave's Mercury Prize-winning album Psychodrama, including the multi-platinum single "Location" featuring Burna Boy, noted for its infectious saxophone riff and summer anthem vibe, as well as "Samantha" with J Hus. His contributions extended to Afrobeats heavyweight Burna Boy, producing "Bank On It" on the album Twice As Tall (2020), which earned Burna Boy the Best Global Music Album award at the 63rd Grammys—marking Jae5's involvement in a historic win for African music.[40] He also produced "Options" for NSG's 2019 hit single, which peaked at No. 7 on the UK Singles Chart and showcased his knack for upbeat, collaborative hooks. Jae5's versatility shines in pop and electronic crossovers, such as co-producing "123" on Jess Glynne's Always in Between (2018), blending brass sections with electronic beats, and co-producing Rudimental's "Walk Alone" featuring Tom Walker (2018), which integrated drum and bass with soulful vocals. More recent credits include production on "People" by Libianca (2022), a soulful Afrobeats track that gained traction on global playlists, and "Dimension" featuring Skepta and Rema (2021), highlighting his ongoing influence in fusing UK rap with Nigerian sounds.[41][42]| Artist | Release | Year | Notable Tracks Produced | Role(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| J Hus | Common Sense | 2017 | "Did You See", "Bouff Daddy" | Executive Producer, Producer, Mixer |
| Dave | Psychodrama | 2019 | "Location" (feat. Burna Boy), "Samantha" (with J Hus) | Producer |
| Burna Boy | Twice As Tall | 2020 | "Bank On It" | Producer |
| NSG | "Options" (single) | 2019 | "Options" | Producer |
| Jess Glynne | Always in Between | 2018 | "123" | Producer |
| Rudimental | "Walk Alone" (single) | 2018 | "Walk Alone" (feat. Tom Walker) | Co-Producer |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Mercury Prize | Album of the Year | Common Sense by J Hus (producer) | Nominated | [43] |
| 2018 | Brit Awards | British Album of the Year | Common Sense by J Hus (executive producer) | Nominated | [44] |
| 2020 | GRM Rated Awards | Producer of the Year | — | Won | [45] |
| 2020 | Ivor Novello Awards | Best Contemporary Song | "Must Be" by J Hus (co-writer/producer) | Nominated | [46] |
| 2020 | Mercury Prize | Album of the Year | Big Conspiracy by J Hus (executive producer) | Nominated | [47] |
| 2020 | MOBO Awards | Best Producer | — | Won | [48] |
| 2021 | Brit Awards | British Album of the Year | Big Conspiracy by J Hus (executive producer) | Nominated | [49] |
| 2021 | Grammy Awards | Best Global Music Album | Twice as Tall by Burna Boy (producer) | Won | [5] |
| 2021 | MOBO Awards | Best Producer | — | Won | [50] |
| 2022 | GRM Rated Awards | Producer of the Year | — | Won | [51] |
| 2023 | A&R Awards | Producer of the Year | — | Nominated | [16] |
| 2025 | Trace Awards | Best Producer | — | Nominated | [52] |
