JMJ Reveals His Aspiration Was to Become a Gospel Musician

Music producer JMJ, born Joshua Raphael, recently shared his initial career aspiration of becoming a gospel musician before transitioning into music production.

In an interview with Joy FM’s entertainment journalist Kwame Dadzie on Showbiz A-Z, JMJ opened up about his journey from a church boy to a celebrated music producer.

Growing up in a Christian family, JMJ was groomed in the church band, where he honed his skills on various musical instruments. This early exposure to music sparked his passion for composing his own songs. “I was a church boy, so the music I wanted to do was gospel, but I was a complete R&B boy. I loved Brian McKnight, name them,” he recounted.

JMJ’s love for music extended beyond gospel, as he frequently listened to foreign songs played by radio hosts Kofi Kum Bilson and Doreen Andoh. He would record these songs on cassette and try to play along on the keyboard.

His journey took a significant turn when he engaged with KK Duah and Appietus at Case Frequency studio. It was this experience that ignited his interest in music production. “I thought I would just record my demo and then move on to me being an artiste, but I fell in love with the process of creating music so much that I ignored my singing. What really became the interest was being a part of the composition,” he explained.

JMJ’s dedication to the craft did not go unnoticed. After recording his demo song at Case Frequency studio, he continued to visit the studio regularly, piquing the curiosity of KK Duah. This persistence eventually led to his employment at the studio after Appietus left, marking the beginning of his illustrious career as a music producer.

Over the past two decades, JMJ has made a significant impact on the Ghanaian music scene, producing hits for some of the biggest names in the industry. His impressive portfolio includes collaborations with artists such as Stonebwoy, Kaakie, Samini, Sarkodie, Obrafour, Ghetto KB, and Jah Lead, among others.