Meet Yakubu Izuagbe | DJ and Music Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Yakubu Izuagbe and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Yakubu, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I was born in the U.S. to a father who was invited on a full scholarship from Benin City, Nigeria and a mother who is a walking miracle. My journey began blended with cultural diversity. From the halls of Oregon State University to the streets of Nigeria, the landscapes of Edinburgh, Scotland, and Great Britain, my upbringing was a patchwork of experiences that would shape my future in ways I couldn’t imagine at the time.

While my peers were mostly listening to hip hop, I was exposed to a wide variety of music from Duran Duran to Fela Kuti to Phil Collins. I remember being around 5 years old when my father explained what a vinyl album was and how to operate a turntable. One day when he came home from work, he found me attempting to play the albums on our record player. As a child, I didn’t understand how delicate vinyl was so there was a lot of scratching going on! I didn’t know it then, but this was a foreshadowing of times to come. The blend of music and cultures as we moved around quite a bit laid the foundation for my musical exploration.

In 2001, I stumbled upon my true calling: music production. I started making music as a personal endeavor but as I evolved and honed my craft, I was able to develop my passion into a professional career, which has been marked by a series of notable collaborations with some of the biggest names in the industry, from T-Pain to Katy Perry. My music has taken me all over the world and put me in rooms I used to dream about.

Then in 2014, I started DJing in L.A. as a way to further explore my relationship with music. At the time I was going by the name Rebel. I’ve always challenged the status quo. For me, being a rebel was not about rebellion for its own sake, but because I’ve always challenged the narratives put before us. I quickly built relationships with the top clubs in Hollywood. This led to residencies at premiere venues such as Supper Club, Project, Henry’s, Nightingale and many more.

I’ve now rebranded as Year 4000 as I embrace the one constant in life: change. I’m currently working on an EP and creating my own event named Casa Noir which will evolve into a global tour. I’m ready to conquer the world, again. Why not? Life is not about the destination, it’s about the journey. When you embrace change instead of clinging to the past, you get a chance at shaping the future.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I see music as a global language, one that transcends borders and connects people from all walks of life. My mission is to be a bridge between different musical worlds and cultures, creating blends that resonate on a universal level. My sound is a mixture of melodies and textures that are inspired by the diversity of my unique influences. Growing up all over the globe exposed me to various musical styles. At an early age, my ear was tuned to an eclectic mix of genres—from pop and African music to R&B/soul and jazz. This exposure has given me a unique ability to blend these elements in my productions and DJ sets.

It hasn’t always been easy. I would say some of the struggles along the way included focusing solely on making music while trying to sustain my income from that single stream. It was challenging to figure out how to survive on music alone while staying dedicated to it. Maintaining genuine relationships with other people was also difficult. Some individuals wanted to use my success to advance their own careers. Meeting authentic people in the industry was a challenge. Being recognized for my work and having the appropriate value placed on it was another struggle. Competing against other creatives who are willing to settle for less to get their foot in the door added to the difficulty. Additionally, being comfortable with letting go of my work without overthinking or trying to perfect it was tough. Knowing when something is finished and creatively sufficient was essential.

Although none of this has been easy, I’ve been able to continuously overcome. It’s not a one and done thing, but a constant process. What keeps me able to conquer these challenges is maintaining a balance of determination while being flexible. There’s a delicate dance of holding on to one’s vision and knowing when to pivot. Trusting my gut has always worked for me. My instincts have never led me astray.

I’ve learned the importance of balancing my natural autonomy and knowing when to seek help. It wasn’t easy but building genuine relationships with great mentors has been a pivotal part of my journey. These mentors have provided invaluable guidance, experience, and insights that have helped shape my career. Their support has not only honed my skills but also inspired me to push beyond my perceived limits. Persistence is so important when trying to reach a big goal. Your next failure could also lead to your greatest success. Rejection is a natural part of the music industry but rather than seeing it as a setback, I’ve embraced it as an opportunity for growth. I learned how to be resilient from my time serving in the US Army, allowing me to remain optimistic and motivated, adopting a glass half-full mentality.

I want my contribution to the world to manifest through the realms of culture and art, leaving a lasting impact that extends beyond entertainment. Right now, I’m focused on bringing the rich and diverse sounds of Africa to the forefront of the global stage. Through innovative collaboration with artists from various backgrounds, I plan on educating, uniting, and inspiring through the universal language of music.

Having already achieved significant milestones in the music industry, I’m most excited for what’s to come. I’m combining all of the experiences and influences I’ve picked up on my journey and creating new brands that work in tandem as a support system. One of these new endeavors is an event named Casa Noir which will debut in Atlanta, July 2024. It will feature myself and guest DJ’s from many different backgrounds. Casa Noir will be a platform to expand the afro and international sound, giving attendees the best of all worlds with a high energy mixture of afrobeats, amapiano, house and R&B/soul. This will allow us to push the boundaries even further as the goal is to eventually tour the world. There’s so much left for me to express through my music. The creation of this event will provide a vehicle to not only showcase my new sounds but the music of many other African and global artists. My other new creation is an immersive visual arts and music based show called Uncurated. As the name suggests, anything goes. The main goal of Uncurated is to create experiences that not only showcase music but art of all kinds from abstract art to sculptural installations while connecting deeply with people across the globe. My ambition is to not just be heard, but to be remembered—to leave a legacy that resonates with and inspires future generations. My introduction to the world was just the beginning.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Atlanta is a city with many cool attractions. Some of my favorite places I’d take a friend to would be Ponce City Market where we can try a variety of food options in a vibrant setting and also miniature golf on the rooftop. I would take them for a walk on the Beltline and rent bikes to ride up and down the path through Piedmont park. Our nighttime activities would involve drinks at Jojo’s Beloved Speakeasy or dancing at El Malo. Throughout the week, I’d also make sure we get in some hikes at one of Atlanta’s many scenic trails and a visit to the High Museum of Art to explore one of their many exhibits.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My mom has been a major influence on my journey. From the very beginning, she encouraged me to believe in myself and pursue my passion for music. Her unwavering support gave me the push I needed to follow my dreams, even when the path seemed uncertain. She would listen to my beats, while offering praise and constructive feedback. Whether it was helping me get my first DJ decks and beat machines or driving me to gigs, she was always there. She taught me the value of perseverance and hard work and always reminded me that I could achieve anything I set my mind to.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/year4000_

Twitter: https://www.x.com/year4000_