From creating records like Prodigy and Ten minutes by 6uff, Michael Elomba, professionally known as Darozi, is establishing himself as a producer with a sound that’s impossible to ignore. In an industry where trends come and go, Darozi is focused on creating music with a distinct identity and building a catalog designed to outlast fleeting moments. Afro Soundtrack spoke to Darozi about developing his signature sound, why chemistry matters in the studio, and why he believes every great artist should understand the craft.
You started making music at a very young age. At what point did music stop being a hobby and become your career?
I honestly can’t point to one particular moment. At first, it was just a hobby. I wasn’t thinking about building a career. I just kept doing it, got better at it, and before I knew it, it had become what I do professionally. It wasn’t a conscious decision. It just happened naturally.
Was there a moment that completely changed the way you approached making music?
Definitely. I started out as an artist. I was recording songs and doing everything from that perspective. But everything changed when I decided to start producing my own music. That gave me a much deeper understanding of my craft. I wasn’t just singing anymore. I understood how the music was actually being built.
So learning music production came out of necessity?
Exactly. I had sounds in my head, and I wanted them to come out exactly the way I imagined them. I couldn’t really find anyone who could translate those ideas the way I wanted, so I figured I had to learn how to build them myself. Once I started producing, everything became easier. I understood what was happening inside the music. I could translate ideas better, experiment more, and actually bring the sounds in my head to life.
Did becoming a producer make you a better artist, or did being an artist make you a better producer?
Learning production made me a better artist. It made me more aware of what was possible. When ideas come into your head, you begin to understand which ones you can actually execute and how to execute them. More than anything, it gave me the ability to translate what I was hearing in my imagination.
Your workflow has evolved over the years. What’s one thing you believed when you first started making music that you don’t believe anymore?
Your perspective changes as you grow. The way you create music today won’t be the same five years from now because your workflow keeps evolving. Technology changes, software improves, and you keep learning better ways to work. So it’s less about one belief changing and more about constantly adapting as a creator.
How would you describe a Darozi production? What should listeners notice first?
Most people would probably describe my sound as melodic with dark textures, hard drums and strong hip-hop influences. Hip-hop and trap are really the foundation of my sound. Even when I’m experimenting, you’ll almost always hear those elements in my production.
What excites you most about working with another artist?
Honestly, it’s the process. I enjoy working with new people and hearing what they bring to my beats. Every artist approaches music differently, so every collaboration creates something new. That’s always the exciting part for me.
Some producers say great records come from chemistry, others say talent. Which side are you on?
Chemistry. Talent is important, obviously, but chemistry is what makes collaborations work. Everyone in the room needs to share the same vision. If the chemistry isn’t there, it becomes difficult to finish the record because everybody starts pulling in different directions. Music is collaboration from the start. It’s already the artist and producer working together, so chemistry matters.
Looking back, what’s something you wish someone had taught you before you released your first song?
The business side. I wish I understood proper release schedules, rollouts, publishing, registrations and promotion much earlier. When you’re starting out, you learn most of those things through experience. Looking back, I wish I knew then what I know now.
Has working with Afro Soundtrack changed the way you think about music publishing?
Definitely. Before Afro Soundtrack, I mostly thought I had to rely on international platforms. Working with Afro Soundtrack showed me there are Nigerian platforms providing these services, and they’ve made the whole publishing process much easier for me.
What’s one conversation every independent artist should have before releasing music?
The first thing is understanding that music is a business. Like every business, you need capital, goals and a strategy that matches your resources. You need to know your message, understand your brand and have a clear plan. You can’t just upload music and hope everything works itself out.
If an independent creator asked whether publishing is really worth paying attention to, what would you tell them?
Publishing is extremely important. You need to be able to track your royalties and make sure you’re earning everything you’re entitled to. If you’re making music but you’re not making money from it, it’ll become difficult to keep creating. Publishing is a huge part of releasing music properly, and every independent artist needs to understand that.
If you could leave every young artist with one lesson, what would it be?
Learn your craft. You don’t have to become a producer, but you need to understand what’s happening behind the music. Knowing your craft helps you discover your own sound, communicate better with producers and stay true to your vision. The better you understand the process, the better you’ll become as an artist.
Make Your Music Pay
Join Darozi and other music creators monetizing their work with Afro Soundtrack.
Get the App
