Jesse Jagz is one of the new breed producers making waves in the entertainment industry today. Gifted and deep, he is rated as one of the best in the business of music production. A younger brother to M.I, Jesse Jagz tells Showtime Celebrity his story.

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What kind of a name is Jesse Jagz?

My real names are Jesse Garba Abaga. So my a.k.a is from my full names.

What’s it that fans don’t know about you?

I hardly go clubbing and I’m always indoors.

And you do shows?

Yes. I go to perform at clubs. Besides that, I don’t go there all by myself.

But Hip-hop artistes draw inspirations from the streets. So how do you get inspired indoors?

I go out almost everyday either for an interview or something else. And Lagos is such an interesting place that even if you are just standing at the balcony of your house, there’ll always be something you’ll see to inspire you.

If you are an introvert, why then did you choose music?

I don’t think being introvert can affect what I do because I love performing. It’s something that happens to everyone at some point, you just feel like being alone. I love making music and making people happy.

Where do you come from originally?

I come from Taraba State but I was born and bred in Jos

Taraba State isn’t known for music?

That’s true but it’s funny. But they have their traditional music. I’ll say I got the flare for music from my mum. She used to sing for us a lot and she’s one of my greatest influences

What about your dad?

My father is a missionary Evangelist. So we grew up in the Church and around musical instruments. We used to go learn and play instruments all by ourselves while growing. So music has been a part of my life.

How did you combine academics with music?

For people who aren’t that creative, they don’t understand the struggle creative people have going to school. To tell you the truth, we can sit here and deceive ourselves-the university system doesn’t work. And it’s very hard for creative people to be in such closed system as a school where your mind would be closed everyday. So it was tough.

Are you saying you dumped school too?

I didn’t dump school. I was studying law and left in my 400 level.

You were almost through…

Yes. I sat with my dad and he told me it’s better to focus on one thing than to do two things to please people and end up losing both ways. I’m a man and had to make my decision.

What were some of the initial challenges you faced when you left school for music?

The normal stigma that dropouts get. But after some times, I got over it.

Was it that your parents didn’t have enough money to send you to school?

No, money wasn’t the problem. It was a decision I made. The world is such a small place that education and enlightenment are different things. Yes, I didn’t graduate but if I went for a job interview with those who graduated, I’ll probably be employed before others because I’m better, more enlightened and well travelled than most Nigerian youths. What I’m doing is to educate myself in music and I’ve done courses in production. I don’t like the idea of going to school for the sake of going to school.

Who influenced your journey to Chocolate City?

It was Jeremiah Gyang. He was signed to Chocolate City and M.I was managing him at a point. We were close because we grew up together. So there was this show they came for in Jos and Jeremiah brought them to the studio. Then we met and kicked off from there.

The Chocolate City connection?

Audu owns the company and from there, they listened to our music. M.I was signed first, then me, Ice Price followed and now Brymo is also in. But before we got signed on papers, we were already working together and they called us for shows.

And you then you relocated to Lagos?

Yes

To a big place?

It was not to a big place. When we came, we were at Djinee’s place for like a year. He was a kind host. Ice and I used to sleep on a dead mattress on a floor. But it was fun and tough because those things kept us balance.

What kept you going through those times?

It was the love for music and we believe in what we do

Did you know you’d be this successful?

Yes we knew but we didn’t expect it at the time it came. So we thank God for it.

So has anything changed about your personality?

I’ll say yes because fame changes someone.

How much have you changed?

I haven’t really changed but the fact that every time you go out you have to dress and behave in certain ways. Sometimes you have to balance the two sides.

What’s it like being famous?

To tell you the truth, I miss those little things like taking a bike to wherever I want to go. I miss taking a walk and buying food at joints.

What’s the most exciting moments of yours?

It would be when I dropped my album in Lagos last year. The album has 17 tracks.

How is the album doing in the market?

It’s doing very well. I’m working on a new project now and I’m also doing some promotion for my singles that came out few days back.

What’s it like working with the Chocolate guys?

Sometimes it’s annoying but we’ve lived together for over a decade now. So we’re used to it.

When you think back to where you’re coming from, how do you feel?

Sometimes it’s unbelievable when we think back to those days we didn’t have anything. But we’re thankful for everything.