16 Year-Old Ebony Oshunrinde aka WondaGurl Crafts Beat for Jay-Z

16 Year-Old Candadian/Nigerian Ebony Oshunrinde aka WondaGurl makes beat for Jay Z's platinum-selling album Magna Carter Holy Grail

16 Year-Old Ebony Oshunrinde aka WondaGurl Crafts Beat for Jay-Z


The internet is abuzz with news of the precocious 16-year old producer WondaGurl, who helped craft a beat that made it onto Jay Z's platinum-selling new album, Magna Carta... Holy Grail. The track "Crown," was created by the Nigerian-Canadian teen Ebony Oshunrinde who has been making beats since since she was 9 years-old.  At 14 she entered Toronto's Battle of the Beatmakers but was eliminated in the quarterfinals. Not to be deterred, she returned the following year when WondaGurl took first place.  Success followed success and was signed by Black Box. Apparently, when she sent a track to Houston rapper Travi$ Scotthe replied a few days later with the words: "I'm about to change your life." Scott played the track to Jay-Z, and then came the phonecall "You are on Jay Z's album, congratulations."

Despite her prodigious success, Ebony's Nigerian mother Jozie Oshunrinde is adamant that she keep studying. After winning Battle of the Beatmakers WondaGurl said in an interview "I just make sure I get my credits cause I know if I don't, my mother will not be okay with that at all, and possibly take all my music stuff away..."

You'll want to follow this girl wonder: @WondaGurlBeats. Here she is talking about her experience:

* Wondagurl with her mother Jozie Oshunrinde

Thandiwe Newton in a grey sleeveless dress, wearing red lipstick and crystal earrings, poses against a pink background
Arts + Culture

What's in A Name: How African Names Get Lost in Translation

From NBA stars to Grammy nominees, prominent Africans have often had their names misspelled or mispronounced. While some have pushed back and reclaimed it, others embrace it.

A man stands on a stage, wearing a denim jacket and pants while holding up a hand fan.
News

With “Sade,” Adekunle Gold Challenged The Nigerian Music Industry

As “Sade” turns 10, we take a look at how Adekunle Gold provided an alternative template to being a Nigerian superstar by making music with soul and commercial merits.