Meet Juls: The British-Ghanaian musician pushing Afrobeat into the future

For most artistically minded people, creativity has taken a hit this year. Yet for Juls – the British-Ghanaian producer, DJ, and musician – lockdown offered an opportunity to focus on music. His latest single ‘Chance’, which seamlessly blends the smoothness of RnB with the soul-swaying romance of reggae, and features artists Projexx and Tay Iwar, offers an insight into what we can expect from his debut album later this year. He describes it as “a real summer vibe, to be enjoyed by everyone who has been locked indoors for too long.”

As one of the most distinctive producers - and champions – of Afrobeat in the UK, Juls is an artist who prefers his work do the talking. Over the past decade, he’s collaborated with some of the most exciting names in music, including Burna Boy, Wizkid, GoldLink, Jah Cure, Stonebwoy, and Lauryn Hill. 

His efforts earned him a MOBO-Award nomination, as well as wins for producer of the year at both the Ghana Music Awards and AFRIMA in the UK. Last year, the 35-year-old East-Londoner was invited to join the Recording Academy’s class of 2020 as a voting member of The Grammys, where he joined the likes of Lil Nas X, Gunna, and Victoria Monet. And earlier this year, he was summoned by Kiss FM to host a prime-time slot dedicated to Afrobeat.  

Since such an outpouring of creative energy can lead to creative burnout, we invited Juls to our most peaceful outpost in the UK, Soho Farmhouse, for some much needed R&R. In between horse riding, Negronis, and running for cover from May’s untimely showers, he caught up with Ashton Gohil and Emmanuel Lawal, hosts of The ACS Show, to talk ditching a career in finance, pushing Afrobeats into the future, and why he’s looking forward to a summer of love. 

Watch the full 33 minute interview on The ACS show here.