At just 21, Adeola Olawale, popularly known as Reward Beatz or “Banga!”, is proving himself to be one of Nigeria’s most gifted young producers, songwriters, and sound engineers. In a few short years, he has become a driving force behind some of Afrobeat’s biggest hits, shaping the sound of a generation and pushing Nigeria’s music to the global stage.
Reward Beatz’s production catalogue already reads like a playlist of Afrobeat classics. His biggest breakthrough came in 2022 with Kizz Daniel’s “Buga” featuring Tekno, a global anthem that debuted at number 8 on the Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart and became the most Shazamed song worldwide that year. The song’s irresistible energy cemented his reputation as a producer with the golden touch.
Speaking on the track’s global success, Reward Beatz once noted that “Buga was more than just a song; it was a cultural moment. To see millions across the world dance to something I helped create is a blessing I’ll never forget.”
Since then, his fingerprints have been on a string of hits. From Kizz Daniel’s “RTID (Rich Till I Die),” “Shu-Peru,” and “Eh God (Barnabas),” to Young Jonn’s “Xtra Cool,” Iyanya’s “Like,” and Magixx’s “Shaye,” Reward Beatz continues to define the sound of contemporary Afrobeat. He has also worked with major stars like Davido, Ckay, Tekno, Bella Shmurda, Lil Kesh, Reminisce, Skales, and Joeboy—demonstrating both versatility and consistency in an industry that demands constant reinvention.
Hailing from Oyo State, Nigeria, Reward Beatz’s journey began at 19, when he set his sights on music production despite the challenges of breaking into Nigeria’s fiercely competitive music scene. With persistence, talent, and a relentless work ethic, he honed his craft, eventually catching the attention of top-tier artists and earning a place in studios where hits are made.
His partnership with Flyboy I.N.C and Empire Distribution helped amplify his sound, while features on platforms like Audiomack Africa and MTV Base West Africa introduced him to wider audiences. Recognition soon followed: in 2022, he was nominated for Afropop Producer of the Year at The Beatz Awards and ranked 7th on Turntable’s Top 20 Music Producers list, further cementing his growing reputation.
Reward Beatz describes his creative process as one that blends Africa’s rhythmic traditions with modern global sounds. “Afrobeat has no boundaries,” he said. “It’s a sound that carries our culture but also connects with the world. My goal is to create music that feels Nigerian at its core, but global in its reach.”
As Afrobeat continues to dominate global charts and playlists, Reward Beatz is already positioned as one of the genre’s future architects. With his catalogue expanding and his name climbing industry ranks, he embodies the energy of a new generation of Nigerian creatives rewriting the global music narrative.
From producing for superstars to inspiring younger talents, Reward Beatz is more than just a beatmaker—he’s a visionary. And with the world still dancing to his sounds, the “Banga!” effect has only just begun.
