Juls

DJ and producer Julian Nicco-Annan, aka Juls, counts hip-hop heavyweights ranging from J Dilla to Swizz Beatz as inspirations, but he specializes in an uncluttered yet detailed hybrid Afrobeats style as traced through minor and major hits headlined by the likes of Show Dem Camp ("Feel Alright"), Stonebwoy ("Rudebwoy Love"), and Mr Eazi (most notably "Skin Tight"). The British-Ghanaian artist has released some of his own projects as a headliner, filling the full-length Sounds of My World (2021) and High Life Sessions EP (2023) with productions showcasing his knack for moving bodies with a lightness of touch. The London-born DJ and producer was raised in England and Accra, Ghana. During the early 2010s, he got deeply into beatmaking after a period of casual interest. Once his supporting work gained significant traction, he released singles of his own, including "Teef Teef," "With You," and "Give You Love," throughout 2016. Leap of Faith, his debut album, followed in 2017. Among the collaborators were Kojey Radical ("Temperature Rising"), Maleek Berry and Nonso Amadi ("Early"), and Eugy, Not3s, and Kojo Funds ("Bad"). A single, "Maayaa," arrived in July 2019, followed by the innovative Colour project, which featured collaborations with a host of artists including Sweetie Irie, Sway Clarke, and Kida Kudz. After a few years of collaborative work, Juls released his debut album, Sounds of My World. A 2022 deluxe edition of the album added seven new tracks that included the Tay Iwar-assisted "I Got You." High Life Sessions, consisting of three typically breezy tracks from the producer, followed toward the end of 2023. ~ Andy Kellman