Meet Carl Hovind: Norwegian multi award winning producer who wants to take Bongo Flava to another level

Recently, dancehall and reggae producer Carl Hovind from Norway has been in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania for almost a month.

Carl has made reggae recognizable in Norway and is now here in Dar es Salaam to work his way to Bongo Flava music. His interest to our sweet music was sparked by Diamond’s hit Bum Bum which features Nigeria’s Iyanya. He says the song motivated him to feel himself best to come and explore more into Tanzanian music.

Carl who has had #1 hits in several countries and produced the track that won the Grammy for “hit of the year” in 2014 in Norway, is a DJ too.

After some time Carl’s unique approach to reggae and dancehall made the previously not so popular genre one of the most groundbreaking, shaking the whole music industry in Norway.

We had chat with Carl and he mentioned how much he loved African music and that he would love to contribute and learn more from it:

Why are you in Tanzania?

Well I am here to try make music, engage my life into the music industry. And hopefully try to create a bridge in the industry to the Eastern world.

What type of genre are you interested in?

I have done Hip hop, electronic, normal pop and not so long ago I used to do rock but not frequently as the rest. Lately I began reggae and dancehall.

Why have you chosen to do reggae and dancehall?

Well I switched from Hip hop to reggae and dancehall since I wasn’t too comfortable with how hip hop is received these days. So I decided to, I needed something fresh. I opted to study music in Jamaica so that I can be experienced.

Any achievements so far?

One of my achievements is that I made my work creditable at the Grammys, my band won in 2014 which went under the category of best hit of the year which was a reggae song. The song was titled My Angel.

Do you face any challenges?

Yes I do. My studio is based in Norway and since I travel a lot I have set up the same set up in my phone that links similarly the challenge comes in when some audio I receive I do not hear it the same as I expect to be.

Basically what motivated you to have an interest to our music?

I happen to be a DJ and I happened to be playing some tracks once and the song Bum Bum by Diamond featuring Iyanya. I found that the quality of the audio is low. You know places like Europe when it comes to producing their music, they have their own team of mixers, and vocalist and this makes it so professional at the end of the day.

Therefore if Bongo flava music wants it to be so they should consider that in order to be in the same line as other African Artist.

What are you planning to do with our music?

Definitely I want to raise the level of quality of recording since it’s a little bit behind in the technical side of making music as compared to South African music whereby we notice they are equipped with a lot of resources.

How is your mission so far?

Though I have delayed on time I am still struggling to do lots of stuff although I am used to it I find my mission progressing.

Are you planning to produce music with any artist here in Tanzania?

Hopefully since it’s the main goal that brought me here. Although I am willing to do it mostly with the top artist since they are more experienced and easy to work with and do more.

And what happens when an upcoming artist wants to work with you?

Well we will hook up and having my own set up, we can work at any studio and up our game cause I cannot just say you are not fit to work with me because I can’t do so. That will be lack of etiquette even though I will be familiar with them.

Have you been to any studio?

Yes, recently I have been to Temeke working with Yamoto Band and honestly I realize that Tanzanians have so much talents.

Lastly, if someone wants to work with you where can they find you?

Of late I have been working with so many managers you can hit me up on Instagram @jumpproductions

By Pauline Bohela (Intern at Bongo5)