How a Delta-born Producer Turned a Friend’s Lost Dream into a Rising Empire

In the ever-evolving beatscape of Nigerian music, there are producers—and then there’s Betejay, a creative chameleon whose journey is as unexpected as his beat tags. Known off-stage as Enaemo Oghenetejiri, Betejay hails from Ethiope East Local Government in Delta State and has already made sonic footprints working with notable names like Oritse Femi, Skales, Jayrex, Falz, Precious Gold, and others.

But his entry into music production wasn’t part of some grand design. It started with something more chaotic. More loyal. More… friendship-fueled.

“I started producing to fulfill my guy’s dream. I was just a rapper then—vibing to one of my homie’s beats, thinking I was going to be the next D’Banj and he’d be my Don Jazzy. Then his dad scolded him, said music would lead him away from God.”

In one father’s disapproval, a dream was buried. In that grave, Betejay planted his own roots.

“That’s how his dream died… and I picked it up. Got disowned twice for it, but here we are today. LOL.”

The Shaku Shaku Chronicles

Every producer has that beat—the embarrassing first child you’d rather not claim. For Betejay, it was a shaku shaku beat. The kind that once ruled dancefloors and flooded SoundCloud pages in 2018.

“Lol you don’t wanna hear it. I doubt if it’s still online.”

He laughs it off now, but like many pioneers in Nigeria’s beat-driven music culture, that awkward first creation was less about quality and more about movement. In an industry where “catchy” can eclipse “classic,” Betejay learned early to let sound lead the way.

The Method in the Madness

Don’t expect a neat production process or a formulaic breakdown from Betejay. His creative flow is as fluid as the vibe of the moment.

“Intro, verse, chorus. Or intro, chorus, verse. Or no intro at all. LOL.”

Inspiration comes from anywhere—drums, percussion, melodies, even a freestyle someone muttered in passing. He’s part of a generation of Nigerian producers who’ve mastered the fine art of adaptive creation. Whether it’s FL Studio or Cubase, he builds beats like puzzles with no picture on the box.

“Sometimes the melody sparks it. Sometimes just the percs. Other times, it’s what someone freestyles off-hand.”

Of Flowers and Sleep Tokens

One of Betejay’s beats is called “Flowers.” Another is “Sleep Token.” Sounds poetic? Don’t be fooled.

“Lol, nothing really inspires it. I’m very bad at naming beats. I could name a beat after anything around me.”

He doesn’t sweat the semantics. Sometimes the name comes before the sound, other times after. But he admits—begrudgingly—that the title might just shape how the beat is heard.

“Yeah. I sold a beat once titled Sleep Token, and the artist named the song that too.”

So maybe the names matter after all—whether intentional or accidental.

The Art of Producer-Artist Chemistry

Ask Betejay what makes the producer-artist relationship work, and he won’t give you vague buzzwords. He gets straight to the point:

“Mutual understanding. Be real. Don’t hold anything back. Discuss expectations. Don’t assume.”

In an industry where egos often outspeak execution, that kind of honesty is rare currency. According to Betejay, clear communication and updated sonic palettes are the secret sauce to studio synergy.

“People think differently. So don’t leave things to chance.”

Making People Feel... and Laugh

What does he want his music to make people feel?

“Happy. Vibe. Spark up their day. And keep my tag in their mouth: ‘Je m’appelle!’”

It’s not just about beats—it’s about branding. A good tag, after all, can be as memorable as a good hook. And in a crowded digital landscape, distinctiveness is survival.

The Cost of Perfection

If you ever thought Betejay was all jokes, think again. He’s got a perfectionist streak too—and he’s not afraid to drag it.

“Longest I ever spent on a track? Two years, bro. Don’t pray to work with an over-perfectionist. If I had the opportunity to work with Michael Jackson, I might turn it down unless the money choke.”

Fair warning.

What’s Next?

Big things are brewing in the Betejay universe. His upcoming collaboration with rising artist Lil Qhuid is already causing a stir. And he’s hinting at a project titled Counter Attack—though knowing Betejay, the title could change based on whatever object happens to be near his keyboard that day.

“Watch out for me and Lil Qhuid. Something huge is dropping soon.”

 

At a time when Nigeria’s music producers are stepping into the global spotlight, Betejay is carving his own space. A space not defined by perfection, but personality. One that’s part chaotic, part calculated—and entirely authentic.

In a world where dreams are often silenced before they begin, he’s living proof that someone else’s “no” can become your “yes.”

And if you’re ever lucky enough to catch him in the studio, remember: he may not know what he’ll name the beat—but you’ll definitely remember the sound.

---