GRAMMY Award-nominated and platinum-selling producer Shizzi sets the tone for his next chapter with FAMOUS, an Afrofusion love anthem created alongside rising talent Tayor. The song took shape during a spontaneous trip to Johannesburg, built around a hypnotic Indian sample and Shizzi’s distinctive percussion. Tayor wrote beside him in what Shizzi calls “pure energy,” delivering vocals that balance vulnerability, swagger, and playful Naija slang.

Shizzi’s link-up with Tayor also signals a pivotal moment for OBG Records. As the first official release on the label, FAMOUS reflects Shizzi’s long-term vision of crafting timeless records and nurturing world-class talent. For Tayor, whose influences range from Justin Bieber and SAINt JHN to Rema and Nasty C, the single stands as a defining debut—one that mirrors the chemistry of a session Shizzi describes as impossible to recreate.

In this exclusive interview, Shizzi unpacks the making of the record, the mission guiding OBG Records, and the partnership shaping his latest moves.

‘Famous’ feels both intimate and global. What inspired the collaboration with Tayor, and what moment made you realize it was something special?

SHIZZI: The spark came naturally. Tayor played me a freestyle he did to another song, and his tone caught my attention immediately. There was something raw, real, and emotionally heavy in his voice. When we got in the studio in Johannesburg, everything just clicked. No pressure, just pure energy. From the first playback of Famous, I knew it had that magic, a song that could connect in Lagos, London, or Los Angeles without losing its soul. 

You’ve helped shape the sound of Afrobeats with hits for Davido, Wizkid, and Fireboy DML. How does leading your own label, OBG Records, expand your creative vision today?

SHIZZI: For years, I poured my sound into other people’s visions, and I’m grateful for that journey. But with OBG, I finally get to build something that reflects my full perspective, not just as a producer but as a creator, mentor, and visionary. It’s about ownership, legacy, and creating a structure where new artists and producers can thrive globally. I want to show that African creativity can be managed, marketed, and exported at the highest level. 

The record came to life in Johannesburg. How did that city’s pulse and spontaneity influence the sound and direction of Famous?

SHIZZI: Johannesburg has this energy that’s hard to explain. It’s spiritual, fast, and full of creative tension. You feel like anything can happen there. That night, we didn’t plan to make a single. We were just vibing in the penthouse, looking out at the skyline, and something about the atmosphere pushed us to experiment. The Indian sample, the rhythm, the mix of emotion and groove all came from that spontaneous moment in Joburg.

You’ve always been known for discovering and developing talent. What made Tayor stand out to you, and how does he represent the next wave of global Afropop?

SHIZZI: What caught my attention was his tone. It struck me as someone I could work with by giving him the right direction. Call it instincts, but from the freestyle he did on my beat, I could already tell it was perfect for where I’m going globally as a producer and executive. He’s part of a new wave that understands how to make global-sounding music without losing the African heartbeat in it.

You’re stepping into a new era with OBG (Ordained By God). What’s the long-term vision for the label, and what legacy do you want it to leave in global music culture?

SHIZZI: OBG is more than a label; it’s a mission. It stands for purpose, faith, and creativity that’s bigger than trends. The goal is to build a home for African talent with a global mindset, from artists to producers to writers. I want OBG to be a blueprint for how we tell our stories, own our masters, and expand beyond borders. Long-term, the legacy I want is simple: that we created something timeless and opened doors for others to do the same. 

Having worked with artists across continents, how do you see the bridge between Afrobeats and the international music scene evolving?

SHIZZI: It’s already happening. Afrobeats isn’t just influencing pop; it is pop right now. The next step is infrastructure, making sure African creators get the same business systems, publishing, and global reach as everyone else. I see the bridge growing both ways, international acts coming to us for sound and culture, while African artists take their place at the top of global charts. 

Beyond music, how are you shaping OBG into a creative movement that reflects your journey, values, and global mindset?

SHIZZI: OBG is rooted in my own story, from Lagos to L.A. Every struggle, lesson, and victory shaped it. It’s about faith, discipline, and vision. We’re building a movement that celebrates African excellence but also community, where creators can grow without losing themselves. The mindset is global, but the heart stays home.

Check out more of Shizzi’s story in this #LAMag issue

Source(s):Supplied