In a revealing interview, renowned Nigerian music producer Chopstix, whose real name is Olushola Ajayi, shared the story behind his initial collaboration with Afrobeat superstar Burna Boy. The discussion, which has since gone viral, offers a glimpse into the creative process and the pivotal role played by fellow artist Ice Prince in bringing the two musicians together.
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Chopstix recounted how he first met Burna Boy through Ice Prince, a connection that proved instrumental in their early partnership. “I met him through Ice Prince. Shout out to Ice Prince,” Chopstix said, highlighting the significance of this introduction. He explained that their first project together was a song titled “Gimme That,” which faced initial challenges due to Burna Boy’s unavailability, likely due to his busy tour schedule. Despite these obstacles, the collaboration eventually came to fruition, marking the beginning of a fruitful working relationship.
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The interview delved into the circumstances surrounding the recording of “Gimme That.” Chopstix described a moment of urgency, as the team had a deadline to meet for an album project. Ice Prince, recognizing Burna Boy’s potential, had already been advocating for the collaboration. “Ice had hit up Burner even before he hit up Burner Ice had already told me about Burning Boy like bro, you need to listen to this guy,” Chopstix recalled. This foresight from Ice Prince was crucial, as he had previously identified Burna Boy as a talent with whom Chopstix could create “great music.”
Ice Prince’s influence extended beyond mere introduction; he was a key advocate for the partnership. Chopstix praised Ice Prince’s ability to spot emerging talent, noting, “Ice Prince is one of the people who’s quick to point out the next person.” This knack for foresight was further illustrated by Ice Prince’s early recognition of other artists, such as Kendrick Lamar, whom he met years before Lamar’s rise to fame. “Even when we met Kendrick Lamar in America, he came back and told me bro I’ve met some guy,” Chopstix shared, underscoring Ice Prince’s predictive acumen.
The interview also touched on a memorable recording session at Ice Prince’s house, where Burna Boy delivered an impromptu verse for “Gimme That.” Chopstix described the scene vividly: “As soon as I played the music Burner was just… He had never heard the song ever.” Despite this, Burna Boy’s response was immediate and impressive. “Less than 10 minutes of just listening to the beat… less than 8 minutes… Turn the mic on let me record,” Chopstix recounted, marveling at Burna Boy’s ability to produce a standout verse in one take. This moment left a lasting impression, with Chopstix comparing it to his experiences working with other prolific artists like Young L.
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he success of “Gimme That” laid the groundwork for future projects, including the officially released song “Rockstar,” produced by Leriq. Chopstix reflected on this track as a significant milestone in their collaboration. “The first official song that would be together I got released it’s a song called Rockstar,” he said, noting the evolution of their creative partnership. This collaboration not only highlighted Burna Boy’s exceptional talent but also solidified Chopstix’s reputation as a producer capable of working with top-tier artists.
The interview, which has been widely shared, offers fans and industry insiders a rare look into the dynamics of the Chopstix Burna Boy collaboration. It underscores the importance of mentorship and networking within the music industry, with Ice Prince’s role being particularly noteworthy. As Chopstix and Burna Boy continue to make waves in the global music scene, this early collaboration remains a testament to their shared vision and creative synergy.
