Ghana’s Nabeyin scores production credit on Travis Scott’s Utopia album

Nabeyin first gained widespread recognition for his contributions to Kanye West’s Grammy-nominated album Donda in 2021. He also worked on ‘Nothings Into Somethings’, off Canadian popstar Drake’s 2017 mixtape More Life.

On Scott’s 19-track project, published last week, Nabeyin is credited for co-producing ‘Telekinesis’ alongside Travis Scott himself, BoogzDaBeast, Wallis Lane, Kanye West, Jahaan Sweet and Hudson Mohawke. The track features vocal performances of hip hop act Future and R&B singer SZA.

Nabeyin told Music In Africa that he didn’t know he would be on the album until two weeks ago. The collaboration started as an idea with Kanye West in 2017, and the song went through different versions. Eventually, Travis Scott chose the original version with Nabeyin’s contribution. Nabeyin added that he was pleasantly surprised by the outcome and loved how the beat turned out.

In a conversation with Penman last year, Nabeyin shared that his musical journey started with playful keyboard sessions at home. However, a significant turning point occurred when he learned that Dreamville and Maybach Music Group, led by J. Cole and Rick Ross, respectively, showed interest in using around 15 of his beats. Despite nothing coming to fruition, this recognition fuelled him to pursue his musical career seriously.

Reflecting on the success of his first SAE Less music camp in Accra in 2022, Nabeyin said the exercise led to the creation of over 40 records and collaborations with writers from the United States and leading Ghanaian acts like Stonebwoy and Camidoh. Now, he aims to establish a record label for holistic artist development and support local talents while connecting them to opportunities beyond Ghana.

“We’re looking to build and uplift the Ghanaian music scene, serving as a pipeline from Ghana to the United States,” he told Music In Africa. “We have strong connections with labels and executives in the States, which will help us in our mission to support Ghanaian artists and take them to the next level. It starts with the music but there’s also so much more work that needs to be done after the music.”