MojoJojo

Akshay Johar, known professionally as MojoJojo, is an Indian DJ and record producer. Having made his debut as a bass guitarist with the rock band Paradigm Shift, he later gained more prominence as an independent artist and producer.

MojoJojo
MojoJojo in 2020
Born
Akshay Johar

New Delhi, India
Occupation
  • Musician
  • DJ
  • Record Producer
Years active2014–present
Musical career
Genres
Instruments
Labels
Websitemojojojomusic.com

MojoJojo began playing piano at the age of ten and later picked up guitar during his time at college. After playing as bassist in such bands as the Gravy Train and The Doppler Effect, he made a transition into record production in 2015. His debut album, "Shots Fired" was released in 2015, earning him accolades including a Radio City Freedom Award for Best Electronica Artist and a nomination for a Global Indian Music Academy Award.

Early life

Akshay Johar was born in New Delhi; he attended the Delhi Public School, R.K. Puram, where he developed a keen interest in music. He learnt piano and acoustic guitar during his time there, but did not immediately pursue a career music. It was only during his final years in school that he joined a band and started playing bass.[1] MojoJojo completed his higher education in New Delhi; he continued his association with music, performing with such artists and indie bands as Paradigm Shift, Gravy Train Barefaced Liar and The Doppler Effect during his college years.[1]

Career

Following his time as a bass guitarist with Prateek Kuhad's band in 2014, MojoJojo decided to pursue a full-time career in record production.[2] In 2015, he made his music debut with an Extended play "Bass Bahar", which was a collection of remix Bollywood music and was released in 2015.[3] His first full-length album, the electronic music collection entitled "Shots Fired" came out later that year. It was released on October 1, under the label of Times Music and had nine tracks featuring other musicians including KR$NA, Sound Avtar, Tanya Nambiar and Bawari Basanti.[4]

Talking to RSJOnline.com, MojoJojo discussed the creative process - which began with writing the lyrics for such tracks as "Storm" in late 2014 - saying that he wanted to go beyond the conventions of EDM: "My contention with that grouping is that it’s looked upon more as a trend and a fad, [an] easy route to become popular and got a negative connotation". "Storm" featured vocals from classical artist Bawari Basanti and piano and cello parts that where recorded live, while another track, "Nepal" had live drums.[3] MojoJojo talked about the experimental nature of the album in an interview with Mumbai Mirror, saying: "I was trying to find my sound — each song on it was a different sub-genre of — from drum ’n’ bass to moombathon to future bass".[2]

The music landscape in India transformed between my albums. In 2015, I think all underground artists were starting to transition from to other streaming platforms. [...] That’s why we’ve had the boom in hiphop and why singer-songwriters are doing well now. - MojoJojo, in an interview with Mumbai Mirror

The album was well received at the time of its release, with "Storm" earning him a nomination for the Best Electronic Track at the 2016 Global Indian Music Academy Awards.[5] Another song on the album, "Thar Bomb", which featured tribal chants from the Thar region also won him the Best Electonica Artist at Radio City Freedom Awards.[6]

MojoJojo has since released two singles, “Galat Launda” and "Shankar", as well as a second EP entitled “Sapne”, which was released to a positive response from audiences in 2018.[2]

Discography

Studio Albums
Year Album Track(s) Note(s)
2014 Bass Bahaar EP
2015 Shots Fired[7] Debut album
2018 Sapne[8] EP

Singles
Year Title Album
2017 "Shankar" Non-album singles
2018 "Galat Launda"[9]
"Chuck Bass"
2020 "Dillagi"[9]

References
  1. Fernandes, Kasmin (October 16, 2015). "Akshay Johar aka Mojojojo: I'd like to believe I have some amount of mojo - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
  2. Basu, Vijayeta (August 10, 2020). "MojoJojo on his new album and supporting young musicians". Mumbai Mirror. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
  3. Tagat, Anurag (September 30, 2015). "MojoJojo Launches Debut Album ‘Shots Fired’". RSJ Online. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
  4. "Shots Fired". Gaana.com. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
  5. "GIMA award nominee MojoJojo and bass music enthusiast Gurbax to play in Bengaluru". radioandmusic.com. April 26, 2016. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
  6. "Radio City Freedom Awards 4.0: Winners-Peoples Choice". Radio City. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
  7. "Festival culture best thing to happen to India's music scene". Zee News. September 8, 2015. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
  8. Murthi, Rajrishi (July 4, 2018). "MojoJojo Shares Vibrant New Single, 'Sapne' Featuring Tyesha Kohli [VIDEO] | Bangin Beats". The Bangin Beats. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
  9. Murthi, Rajrishi (February 13, 2019). "Mojojojo Returns To Action With Euphoric New Single, 'Main Chala' With Saptak | Bangin Beats". The Bangin Beats. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
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