Bad Boy Timz Gets The Party Started As He Arrives With His Debut Project [Interview]

Hailing from Nigeria, Olorunyomi Oloruntimilehin, popularly known as Bad Boy Timz, has established himself as an electrifying force in the Afropop music scene. The talented artist embarked on his musical journey in early 2019, making waves with his debut single, "Check and Balance."

Bad Boy Timz unveiled his EP titled 'TIMZ', in 2019, a collection of tracks that showcased his versatility and range. The EP featured notable guest acts such as Zlatan Ibile and Barry Jhay, further solidifying his presence as an Afropop rising star. With a string of chart-topping singles, including "Move," "MJ," and "Have Fun," Bad Boy Timz has been making a significant impact on the music charts, captivating audiences throughout West Africa and beyond. One particular milestone in his career came in 2020 when he collaborated with the renowned Nigerian artist Olamide on the hit single "Loading." This collaboration propelled Bad Boy Timz into the mainstream spotlight, instantly transforming him into a household name.

Drawing inspiration from a variety of genres, Bad Boy Timz infuses his music with infectious rhythms and soulful melodies, creating a unique sound that resonates with listeners worldwide. With his undeniable talent and growing popularity, there's no doubt that Bad Boy Timz is a rising star destined for greatness in the Afrobeat landscape.

With his irresistible beats and undeniable presence, New Wave, in partnership with Empire curated a listening party, Bringing together a blend of music aficionados, influencers, and devoted fans, this exclusive event served as the backdrop for the unveiling of 'No Bad Boy No Party.' Picture the palpable excitement and electric energy as Bad Boy Timz graced the stage, offering an exclusive preview of his latest sonic marvel.

As his rises higher than ever, Bad Boy Timz is here to share his journey, his latest album, and a memorable listening party experience that left the audience anticipating the release of the new project. In this interview, we'll delve into the creation of his breakout single that skyrocketed his career, and the anticipation surrounding his debut album, 'No Bad Boy No Party.' In our time with him, we journey into the depths of Bad Boy Timz's creative mind. We unravel the genesis of his career, dissect the making of his breakout single 'Loading,' and delve into the euphoria of sharing his highly-anticipated album with the world.

We had the privilege of diving into the mind of the musical prodigy and discover what makes his journey so remarkable. Where rhythm and passion collide. Welcome to an exclusive encounter with the Afrobeat sensation himself.

NW: We know about the talent and the man on social media, in your videos etc. What do your close friends say about Bad Boy Timz, how would they describe you?

BBT: Stubborn guy. He's a go-getter. talented guy, hard working guy. Always about his business.

NW: Tell us about your early Journey in music, I'm sure it's been a long road to get to where you are right now.

BBT: I actually like starting as a child of an artist. I used to go out with my dad to some of these events, he plays live band African music, proper African music. Growing up in a family where your dad makes music, I've been following him around since I was a kid so there's more of me up in and picking up money out of life hands, you know? Seeing that and then, subconsciously, I just fell in love with the music, to the point where I did a freestyle video that went viral. The acceptance was amazing, that was my first freestyle video. So, I just felt like, well, for this to happen is a good sign, you know, just about the work. I mean, I started making more music until I got signed

NW: Speaking about like your upbringing and where you come from as well, Nigeria, tell us more about where you're from in Nigeria

BBT: I'm from Ondo state Nigeria, but I was born and brought up in Lagos state. Ondo state is in the Southwest of Nigeria. A couple of celebrities are from there as well, for example, Teni [The Entertainer]. It's a typical Yoruba State

NW: Nigeria is known as the country that builds character in a lot of people and sharpens tools in different aspects. How would you say your environment has sharpened your tools?

BBT: Normally coming from where I come from, you grab every opportunity to get and make the best of it. So that's the code I have always lived my life by. Whenever the opportunity surfaces, you just make the best of it. I feel having that alone already sets the pace for me.

NW: Your music travels across the world. So where are some of the places that you felt like the most the most impact in your music when you've been traveling?

BBT: I would say, the UK, The US and I've never been to the Caribbean but, I've gotten a lot of good reviews from there and that's why I have a feature from a Caribbean artist coming out soon, off my Album. Those regions have been good to me, and Africa!

NW: Your native tongue is a big important part of your music and how that comes across. Is it easy for you to be bilingual in your music?

BBT: So there's already a bridging Gap called pigeon English. It's a mixture of English and a little bit of locality from Nigeria. So, having to switch from Yoruba to pigeon, and then English is really easy for me. I grew up in a place where you cannot know, just Yoruba, you need to understand pigeon and then English as well.

NW: You've been quoted saying that self-reflection is a big part of this album that you're releasing, how has self-reflection contributed to the music that you made?

BBT: A lot of people have seen me do happy music. I want to think about it like, people need to see another side of me. That's why the first track of the album is self-reflective. I really show that people can see me from a different angle, from a different perspective.

NW: From what we've heard there's definitely a lot of diversity in the music that you're making. What are your hopes and expectations regarding the impact this album is going to have on your fans or people that don't necessarily know about your Music?

BBT: I feel like it's going to change a lot for me. And I expect acceptance and expect to open your doors for me, because Afrobeats is really growing. And, you know, anything happens at any time and those records that I have out there are like two percent of what I have coming. I just want it to open new doors for me.

NW: What do you think sets Bad Boy Timz apart from the crowd?

BBT: My happiness! I call my kind of music 'Afro-Happiness', there's no way you can be sad listening to a Bad Boy Timz record.

NW: No Bad Boy, No Party, that's the name of the album. What inspired that name and have you ever been to a party without a Bad Boy Timz record playing?

BBT: No! Even when I went to the US at a Jamaican party, some of my songs came on. without Bad Boy Timz's music there's no party, no Jokes [Laughs]

NW: One of the songs that spring boarded you was Loading. How did that song influence your career?

BBT: That song literally took me from zero to 99.9999. It really changed the price, changed the perception of the industry about me and, you know, just said better things for me and my career.

NW: Amapiano is becoming an element of music that you're dabbling into. What conversations are you having with producers about adding that into your music?

BBT: I just tell them, first off it starts with the tone of the production. It has to be a really happy tone. There are people that when you listen to the song, and you can already tell all this is, calm vibes. From the tone of the music, it has to be catchy. That's one - it has to be a happy tone. So, whenever I speak to my producers, I don't want any slow beats. I need the ginger, the spiritual ginger, you feel me?

NW: With this album you've been releasing singles, now it's a debut project. Why was it the time to release a debut project?

BBT: I've been around for over three years officially and I feel like I've still not been able to show people different sides of me and dropping singles is like, okay this one has to work. Now I want to give you a compilation, more like a story in a book. I want you to read it from beginning to the end and enjoy the story.

NW: You've worked with a tight-knit group of producers on this project, one of them being P Prime. hat are some of your favorite moments working with him?

BBT: First thing is from that day. I just knew something. Something was different about P.Prime, he also made the single that opens the album. I salute. So you can tell that. The guy is really about it and the other producers on the project as well, such as Shimzy, Beats By Timmy, Baby beats - those are other producers that I work with and every producer gives me happy music but in a different way.

NW: Speaking of I Salute, that's a big record that's blowing out right now. It's dedicated to beautiful women that captivate you. So what are the top three ‘doings’ you would like to salute your female audience for?

BBT: She's gotta have a fine face that's mandatory. She has to have a good personality, big brain and big bum bum [Laughs].

NW: Another big track that you have is Move! talk about what that song means?

BBT: Actually that song I made at my lowest times, like the song says "Omo but I no like wahala, I de find money na paper" that means I don't want problems, I just want to make money and be happy. I was having some issues around music and that song was just telling people my truth, a sad story but I made it on a happy beat.

NW: We just had the Listening Party hosted by New Wave in collaboration with Empire. Where we introduced you to your fans, in the UK. What are you most looking forward to in anticipation for the release of the album?

BBT: I expect people to see me in a better light. I want people to have at least two songs to hold on to, for a Lifetime.

NW: Thank you so much!

BBT: I appreciate it, guys. Thank you.

Listen to the new album, 'No Bad Boy No Party' below!