By: Tosin Fatoriti
Afrobeats’ wing is growing wider and wider every day, with quite a number of musicians in both home and abroad helping to extend its wings. It is like a family tree that accommodates the nuclear and extended family, and strangers alongside. In recent times, as Afrobeats became the prime focus in the music industry, many Nigerian-American and Nigerian-European artists have sampled the beats, sounds, and tones of the genre for propagation, inclusiveness, and recognition across the globe. It has welcomed a new specie of artists to continue to propagate the sole agenda of African music – Afrobeats, as is known that music is food for the soul.
However, in the continuity of the primary goal and widespreadness of Afrobeats, Johnny Crown has joined in the musical and Odyssean adventure. Omolade, with the stage name – Johnny Crown is a miscellaneous artist born on January 21, 1997, in Brooklyn, New York. His cultural narrative is woven between the streets of Brooklyn, New York and Lagos, Nigeria, where he spent his formative years. This dual hometown influence has significantly shaped his artistic vision.
Growing up, Johnny attended Chrisland School in Ikeja, Lagos, before moving to Queens, New York, where he went to Beach Channel High School and Far Rockaway High School. In the later years, he graduated from New York University (NYU) in 2020 with a Bachelor of Arts in Media, Culture, and Communication. This educational foundation has informed his creative pursuits.
As a talented artist, Johnny’s passions extend beyond music. He’s an avid and voracious writer, penning books and writing songs, while he also finds solace in playing basketball and football. Music, nevertheless, remains his first go-to. Johnny enthusiastically celebrates Afrobeats’ global domination, recognizing its potential to redefine the soundscape. In his words, he remarks,”Afrobeats isn’t just dominating – it’s redefining the global soundscape. It’s like this unstoppable force that brings rhythm, culture, and connection to the forefront”.
Therefore, for Johnny, music is an inherent part of his being, a language that transcends words. Inspired by the melodies of his childhood, he crafts authentic sounds that resonate with others on a deep level. He draws inspiration from diverse genres, from soulful rhythms and blues to pop hooks. Johnny draws inspiration from trailblazers who champion authenticity and creative innovation, leaving a lasting impact beyond fleeting fame. In his words, he explains further, “I look up to people who stay true to themselves and keep pushing boundaries”.
Johnny’s recent EP, titled “Drunk” delves into human fragility and feebleness, reverie, and retrospect. Through his sounds and music he navigates the blurred lines between reality and intoxication, crafting a sonic tapestry that’s both deeply personal and universally relatable. Thus, one could properly describe “Drunk” as a cathartic exploration of human vulnerability, where escapism meets introspection.
and then