LAGOS, NIGERIA – Where the journey of Godwin Emmanuel Ifeanyi aka. ShugaVybz began making music after he graduated from the Federal Polytechnic, Nekede in Imo State, with the initial stage name “Cheeseberry” before coining the stage name “Shugavybz”, after he was discovered by the Music Executive and A&R — Godboy, who eventually gave him his first start in the mainstream.

A lot of us might not know him, I didn’t myself aside from bumping into him at last year’s Headies award, and knowing he is the producer behind Iyanya’s bounces back anthem ‘One Side’. As one of the breakout producers of the past year, leading the new generation of Afrobeat. Signed to Godboy Entertainment, currently marketed as Godboy Empire, under management.

Shugavybz exploded onto the scene in early 2022. It seems that last year was only the tip of the iceberg for him — as he was recognized by The Recording Academy for his composition on the Grammy nominated Best Global Music Album — ‘Timeless’ by Davido. We spoke about his views on different things, how it all began and the process behind writing and producing hits the world is yet to hear.

Tell us about your musical journey, how did it all begin?

I started music from my dad’s church, then I used to visit late OGB jezrel for studio to get some production tips, and also got some ideas from “pimp” MC galaxy’s producer, that was how I got to meet Xbusta and Godboy that’s my manager today.

How did your early life shape you as a producer?

It was a tough journey, but I would say it shaped me into the hitmaker I am today, I actually thought my self all the instruments I can play.

Most people don’t know you co-wrote the hit record ‘Away’ by Davido, take us through that?

Thanks to Godboy and Iyanya’s management for making that possible to work with one of the most important Afrobeats artists. It was a huge honor for me during the early rise of my career to have co-written one of the hit songs on Davido’s first grammy nominated global studio album ‘Timeless’.

Did you plan to write and produce Iyanya’s bounces back anthem ‘One Side’?

I didn’t plan for “One Side”, we both crossed path through our management and we vibed.

What would you say sets your sound apart from other producers in the scene?

I’m all about sweet rhythm and Intentional hits, I don’t like a keep-aside vibe

So why did you transition from Cheeseberry to ShugaVybz?

The rhythms I play in music is sweet and I like vibing more while singing so we had to make a name out of it ( Shugavybz )