lyke Parker is an innovative musician and producer known for his unique blend of genres that captivates audiences worldwide. Born and raised in Ghana, lyke discovered his passion for music at a young age, experimenting with different sounds and styles. We sat down with him to talk about his early musical influences, the challenges of production, and his latest single Rizzler. When Iyke talks about music, it’s not just a profession—it’s a constant hum in the background of his life. “I can’t pinpoint the exact encounter growing up,” he recalls, “but in my case, it was almost every single day.” His father’s eclectic taste meant weekends filled with Ofori Amponsah’s Asew album—lyrics Iyke can still recite by heart—before shifting moods to Lord Kenya or Dada K.D. “I learned to appreciate good music at a very young age because of my father,” he says. Ironically, Iyke’s path to production began with a detour. “I wanted to be a DJ at first,” he admits. A friend installed Virtual DJ software for him, but also slipped in FL Studio, the program that would alter his trajectory entirely. “For the first four years, I learned everything from YouTube tutorials—which I still do today—until I was fortunate to be mentored by Webiejustdidit and Nixie Official at MIMLIFE Records.” That mentorship was a turning point. “Watching Webie and Nixie work my first year, I realised I didn’t know as much as I thought. They were years ahead, and I had to catch up fast. They taught me a lot, not just about production, but about dealing with musicians and people in general.” His sonic influences span from Ghanaian heavyweights like Drvmroll, Nshorna Music, and Killbeatz, to global names like Don Jazzy, Murda Beatz, DJ Mustard, and Timbaland. “I studied their productions back-to-back to figure out how they built their sound and the way they carried themselves inside and outside the studio.” Like many emerging creatives, Iyke faced his share of roadblocks. “Gear and software were the biggest challenges—music is expensive to make. I started with just my laptop and some crappy headphones. Then there’s artists not willing to pay your worth, big opportunities going to the same circle of people, and music execs gatekeeping connections for their friends.” These struggles didn’t slow his momentum. His latest single, Rizzler, featuring labelmate Mista Myles, is proof. The track’s origins were spontaneous: “I was in the studio cooking up beats when Myles heard this one and started writing on the spot. He finished in less than 30 minutes, and we recorded it in about four hours.” The result is a buoyant, feel-good track designed to uplift listeners. “The chords are happy and uplifting. Too many producers have lost touch with incorporating emotion into songs.” Working with Myles was seamless. “We’re on the same label, so getting him on the track was easy. We have a great working relationship—he respects my input, and I respect his vision. I was heavily involved in the vocal direction. If a song isn’t ready, it’s not coming out.” For Iyke, Rizzler marks a personal and professional shift. “It signifies a change of pace in my journey. I look up to producers like Kaytranada, Marshmello, Sarz, and Metro Boomin—guys who didn’t just stay behind the scenes but carved their own lane. I’ll keep working with artists, but I also want to make music that’s mine.” That restless creativity defines his evolution. “I’ve experimented with many genres, and I realised I can’t box myself into one. The internet exposes me to new sounds daily—especially on TikTok—and when I hear something fresh, my mind goes into overdrive. I try to blend those influences into almost everything I make.” And there’s more to come. While he can’t commit to a release date, Parker hints at a bigger project on the horizon—maybe an EP, album, or beat tape. Before signing off, we play WhatsOnShuffle’s signature “What’s on Shuffle” game, asking for his current top five tracks. His playlist is a reflection of his diverse ear: 1. Iyke Parker & Mista Myles – Rizzler 2. DJ Tunez, Wizkid & Fola – One Condition 3. Kimilist – Bad Boy 4. Fido – Money Moves 5. Asake – Mood It was an absolute pleasure speaking with him and judging from his energy, Rizzler is just the beginning of the next chapter.
