Africa is at the forefront of a musical revolution; leading the charge of a crop of creatives that are taking the globe by storm. African music has traversed several frontiers, from movies like the newest installment of the Black Panther to global charts around the world. The continent is currently grooming the next generation of world music superstars.
Richard J, like many new generation African artiste is no stranger to this musical revolution; tolling the borders of creating a unique experimental hybrid of Afro-based fusion music; a sound that is both relevant to these times and at the same time, futuristic. Richard J is however clearly different, the 27-year old Nigerian music maker officially kick-started his music journey when he dropped a self-titled EP called Richard J in August 2022; a signal of things to come and the possibilities within the self-made artiste whose work curates an interesting sound profile that is forward-thinking and experimental. Anoti, a song off last year’s EP, unsurprisingly was a banger, making the rounds from clubs, entertainment blogs to social media and easily becoming a fan favourite.
If the eponymous EP did anything, it signaled an undeniable truth; that Idehen Osarodion Richard aka Richard J is one artiste to watch out for, and that his first impressive body of work is only just the beginning.
We didn’t have to wait long for Richard J to replicate his genius with the recent release of his first single of the year, titled, Panel Beater. Panel Beater is a macho man’s anthem, an embodiment of every young man’s sensual dream of being wooed by a beautiful woman. With Panel Beater, Richard J is set to make a statement; endorsing his favourite alias of ‘Badman.’
This musical masterpiece, produced by Docside Theatres for NMG Records, and mixed and mastered by celebrity music producer, Milla Mix, takes the story of ‘fan worship’ and ‘friends with benefits’ to a whole new level.
Listen to Panel Beater here