You've probably heard the word "London" in many Afrobeats songs as the beat drops in the intro, and maybe you thought it was just a way of the singers telling you how much they love the United Kingdom. Or maybe you're actually a serious music lover and you knew it was referring to the producer — London.

Michael Ovie Hunter, professionally known as London or ThisizLondon, is a Nigerian-British record producer and DJ who has become one of the most influential architects of modern Afrobeats. Born on October 21, 1999, in Kaduna, Nigeria, his origin story is far from the glittering lights of global music charts. It began in a modest home shaped by dual heritage — a Nigerian mother from Isoko and a British father — and in the rhythm-rich halls of a local church.

The Drumbeat Begins

Before global hits and studio deals, London’s first exposure to music came not from vinyl records or high-end headphones, but from church drums, where his uncle taught him to play. This experience deeply ingrained a rhythmic sensibility that would later define his production style — a hypnotic blend of Afrobeats, R&B, and pop.

By the time he reached Christ Ambassadors College in Kaduna, where he completed secondary school in 2016, London had developed a reputation among his peers for his table-drumming sessions during breaktime. What seemed like a teenage pastime was actually the embryonic stage of a career that would transform the sound of a continent.

A friend introduced him to FL Studio, a beat-making software, which became his laboratory for innovation. London taught himself the ropes using this digital audio workstation, and it remains his primary software for producing music to this day. He often speaks of how FL Studio gave him the flexibility to translate his ideas quickly, shaping the signature sound that now commands international attention.

Before fully committing to music, he also worked as a graphic designer, unsure but inspired.

The Breakout Years

The turning point came in 2018, when he produced"Turn Up" by DJ Tunez featuring Wizkid and Reekado Banks — a milestone that announced his arrival in the industry. By 2019, he made the move to Lagos, the epicenter of Nigerian entertainment, where he signed with Blowtime Entertainment, a division of Mavin Records, working under the guidance of veteran producer BabyFresh.

It wasn't all smooth sailing. London’s breakthrough came with an emotional and professional toll. As he worked on Rema’s debut album, Rave & Roses, he found himself battling tight deadlines and the pressure of expectations. He worked alone, long nights blurring into longer days, and at one point, he nearly gave up — afraid the project wouldn’t meet the high standards it demanded.

From Kaduna to the Billboard Charts

But he didn’t give up. Instead, London delivered one of the biggest Afrobeats tracks in history — "Calm Down" by Rema, later remixed with Selena Gomez. The song soared to number three on the Billboard Hot 100, opening the floodgates of global recognition.

His fingerprints are on a catalogue of defining tracks:

• "Soundgasm" and "Bad Commando"(Rema)
  
  

• "Bloody Samaritan", “Sability” and "Fashion Killa" (Ayra Starr)
  
  

• "Koroba"(Tiwa Savage)
  
  

• Contributions to Wizkid’s Grammy-nominated album Made in Lagos
  
  

Each of these songs echoes his unique production style — African rhythms soaked in modern soul, pop, and R&B textures. It’s a sound that both honors his roots and speaks to global audiences.

Vision, Motivation, and Global Impact

What keeps London going? A lifelong passion for music, the encouragement of his peers, and an internal compass that points toward growth and excellence. His ambitions are sky-high. He has said that it’s not enough to be nominated — he wants to win a Grammy, and few would bet against him.

His talent hasn’t gone unnoticed by the business side of music either. With publishing deals from Sony Music Publishing France and Bluesky Music Publishing, London has solidified his footprint across continents.

At just 25 years old, London has gone from playing drums in Kaduna churches to reshaping the global perception of African music. His reach now includes not only top African artists but international collaborators like Selena Gomez and 6lack.

The Beat Goes On

London's story is not just about talent — it’s about persistence, cultural fusion, and the quiet belief that music can be a bridge between continents. As Afrobeats continues to conquer global airwaves, the echo of “London!” in a track's intro is no longer just a tag — it’s a seal of excellence, a mark of innovation, and a testament to a young producer’s journey from Kaduna to the world stage.

What’s stopping you from becoming the next London? Nothing.

Stay tuned for more in the Behind the Scenes series as we spotlight the producers, album cover artists, graphic designers, sound engineers, DJs, scriptwriters, costume designers, and film directors driving the creative force behind Africa’s vibrant media landscape.

Cover Image Credit: https://popcentraltv.com/2024/08/14/popular-producer-thisizlondon-set-to-drop-his-debut-single-pinacolada/