Larrylanes real name Adeyemi Olarenwaju is one of the youngest in the game killing it! In arguably the most competitive music industry on the continent, the burgeoning producer keeps marking his turf as one to watch. Garnering mainstream attention with production credits on Bella Shmurda’s “Rush”, which is arguably the biggest
Nigerian street song released in 2021. The 20 year old record producer has gone on to work with some of the most prominent names in the Nigerian music industry including Zlatan, Zinoleesky and Reekado Banks.
Off the back of his recently released debut single “Jonzing”, once again featuring Bella Shmurda, Unorthodox Reviews caught up with the rising star to learn more about his musical journey thus far and his plans for the future.
1. For the benefit of those who may not know you, would you do us the pleasure of introducing yourself? Who is Larrylanes?
Larrylanes is a young African man who has decided to use his style of Afrobeats production and sound to change the world.
2. How did your journey in music production begin?
My family loves music, so it’s always been in me as far back as I can remember. I used to play the drums in primary school and by the end of High School, I started watching YouTube tutorials on how to make beats, and the rest is history.
3. Who are your biggest influences?
My biggest? I’ll say first things first, God! Then my OGs in the game, you know. From Timbaland to Mustard to Sarz and Don Jazzy. But yeah, I’m a student of the culture and I just keep growing, I’m never gonna stop, I pick a thing or two from each OG.
4. What was the turning point in your career when you knew that music is what you wanted to do long term?
Has to be when I started hearing stuff like “when I hear ‘ENTA’ I know it’s a hit”, seeing the impact my music was having on the average listener, that’s still surreal.
5. When will you say was your big break in the music industry?
The second the snippet to Bella Shmurda’s “Rush” hit the internet! That was a straight hit! I was number one on all the charts. It was a crazy moment, a truly exciting one. Bella Shmurda is a genius and we have a lot more magic on the way. The whole country paused and listened to ENTA.
6. Bella Shmurda’s “Rush”, tell us about the creative process that went into the making of that record.
I played the beat for Bella Shmurda and he loved it. A lot of people don’t know this but Bella’s pen game is insane and in no time, it was all pieced together. It was a fun session bro; I love what I do. It’s that kind of record that we all knew it was a hit once the session was over.
7. Who was your dream collaboration when you started making music and who it is now?
To be honest I just wanted to work with every great artist, every great talent. Till date that’s still my mood, I want to collaborate with the present stars and help the future ones create magic. Let me just add that there are some crazy joints with some of your faves on the hard drive that will be getting released soon. But if I must say, I would like to work with Ghanaian artists, I love the sound and culture.
8. What would you say are the biggest difficulties you’ve faced during your time in the industry?
I don’t ever see any situation as difficult, it’s all fuel that drives my passion. Everything starts from the mind, I stay ready, there’s nothing I can’t face, and with God in my life, there’s no way I can loose. That’s the motto.
9. What advice would you give those that are starting out as producers?
Stay true to yourself, keep learning and growing. I’m 20 years old and living my dream, I do this for all the dreamers. Be a fan of yourself!
10. Where do you picture Afrobeats in the next 10 years?
Afrobeats is life! Have you seen how it lights up every room? The different angles you can approach the sound sonically? Afrobeats crosses language barriers, the vibe is like no other. We’re taking the sound to whole new levels trust me. The producers, the artists, we are all not sleeping. I just hope the world is ready to receive life!
