FIVE PRODUCERS TO WATCH IN 2023 FT.[@MELOZED] [@VENNALDN] [@MELLE_BROWN] & MORE

The producer. All the big artists know them, they’re in every studio racking up countless awards. And oh look you just walked right by them! 

Discovering that a producer has worked on multiple tracks you adore is like finding out who the chef is at your favourite restaurant. Sometimes the most special people go overlooked and that’s a tragic shame. Producers don’t necessarily get their dues, especially those who are just starting to cut their teeth in the industry. 

On that note, for your blessed ears, we have put together a list of five producers to watch in 2023. To shine a light on some of the most promising and talented hands in the UK music scene.

Melo-Zed

To kick off the list we’re starting with Melo-Zed. Developing and curating film scores for the likes of Gucci, BBC, Dazed, BFI, and Tate, he also collected the award for Best Music at Fashion Film Festival Milano 2021 for his score for the film Wata. All of which stands as just the tip of the iceberg for this multifaceted musician. 

Melo has a list of renowned collaborators that includes Obongjayar, Ego Ella May, and Lex Amor. His incorporation of living sounds intricately woven with a blend of textures, creates vividly emotive moods that can immediately be recognised as his own expansive sound.

Venna 

Venna is not only a spectacular saxophonist, he’s also the discreet powerhouse behind some of the most iconic releases over the past few years. Infusing his laid-back sound with hip-hop, drill and jazz elements to curate tracks across the afrobeat, jazz and rap scenes.

You can find his workings on songs with Wizkid, Beyonce and Burna Boy’s Alarm Clock, for which he won a Grammy award at the age of 21. He’s also a longtime collaborator with Knucks and had a heavy hand in his pivotal 2022 Alpha Place album.

His latest single Casa Lopez with Masego & Mick Jenkins alongside his own transcendental debut EP VENOLOGY Venna demonstrates that he’s well on his way to being a cornerstone of the UK music scene.

Melle Brown

From shining on her own Reprezent Radio show (every other Monday 7-9pm) to receiving the support of an icon like Elton John on her 2019 Intersection EP. Weaving between neo-soul, funk, jazz and deep, soulful house, Melle Brown continues to push herself to new heights.

She also runs her own business, because if there’s one thing Melle Brown is not, it’s limited in her reach. The Mellody Agency provides music services to artists, with a strong principle of community at its core. Her recently released Night Drift single has set the scene for an incredibly fruitful 2023 for this London producer. 

Jake Milliner

With smooth keys, heavy drums and dusty grooves, Jake Milliner has laced beats for many wonderful artists including Yazmin Lacey, Barney Artist, Hawk House, Musiq Soulchild and T3 (Slum Village). 

The South London beatmaker doesn’t stop there, playing a notorious Boiler Room set and making regular appearances on NTS radio. His most recent collaboration with Kofi Stone Sweet Distraction is a great place to start a deep dive into his work, follow it up with his debut album Bernie Says for a thorough scope of his sound.

Agajon

Lastly and by certainly no means least we present Agajon, the German-Afghan producer that has been making dazzling waves across the music sphere for a while now.

If working with the likes of Giggs, Selah Sue, Naomi Scott and Jay Prince (to name a few) isn’t enough to convince you of the brilliance of his sound, listen to his second album nag champa released back in 2022 and bask as he hits endless sonic sweet spots with his eclectic influence of jazz, soul, R&B and hip-hop.

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