Jax Jones

Early life

The son of two teachers, Jax grew up in a multi-ethnic household and was exposed to a wealth of influences. After his Nigerian stepfather introduced him to afrobeat via Fela Kuti and rap with a tape of the Biggie Smalls album, Jax listened to hip hop, R&B, gospel and traditional African music. He had early influences from his cousins Lauren Taylor and Samir Thapa. Producers like The Neptunes, Timbaland and Rodney Jerkins shaped his musical horizons and his fascination with the anatomy of a rhythm section. Having initially studied classical guitar from a young age, Jax took up beat-making at 15 after discovering Cubase on his friend's Atari.

Early beginnings

Performing at open mic clubs around London, Jax eventually came together with Ripperman, a grime producer from Mitcham, at Brixton's Raw Materials Studio, and worked on releases for Big Narstie and Roadside Gs, among others in the scene. His parents encouraged him to go to university at 18. Opting to stay closer to Raw Materials, he declined an interview at Oxford to attend Brunel. Despite a two hour trip, Jax went from lectures to the studio daily to work on his craft, posting beats regularly on Myspace. After graduation, Jax rented a studio in Sydenham after not being allowed back in the family home, bought a Mac tower from Gumtree and worked daily to hone his craft.

2014: Breakthrough

After meeting Duke Dumont, he developed an interest in house music and together they co-wrote and produced "I Got U", "Won't Look Back" and "Ocean Drive". Jones features on the single "I Got U", the song peaked at number one on the UK Singles Chart in March 2014.

2015–present

On 24 July 2015, he released the single "Yeah Yeah Yeah". In July 2016, he released the single "House Work". Jax says of the track, "At the end of the day, I started making beats on a four track, so it feels right to put that DIY energy into my music".