Meet the 12-year-old music producer releasing records

Twelve-year-old Niko Jay isn’t your average schoolboy – he’s a DJ and producer who has just released his debut EP and plays vinyl-only sets at live events.

While his friends were listening to “cheesy music” or “what’s on the radio”, the youngster spent a month crafting his three original tracks that make up Ascending, released by Batti Batti Records.  

The first track on the schoolboy’s EP is inspired by “old school music” and, for someone his age, that means a track dating back to the late 1990s.

As the son of well-known local DJ and producer Owen Jay, Niko was exposed to electronic music from a young age, often accompanying his dad to his studio where he would experiment with drum machines and synthesisers. 

“I would stay here while my dad was producing or preparing for a gig, so there was a lot of exposure,” he said, pointing to various instruments around the studio.

Later, he took up the piano and started learning how to DJ, something he enjoys but does not see as his main focus: “It’s just on the side.”

While the youngster may see DJing as secondary to production, a recent performance at ‘A Little Crush’, a weekly summer music night at Surfside, in Sliema, impressed those on the dance floor.

Attendee Jana Farrugia had become a fan after watching him perform at a previous event. “He played really well and the crowd loved him,” she said.

Resident DJ Nicky Luna agreed, saying the youngster “set the tone perfectly with his record selection and brought smiles and inspiration” to the audience.

The young producer and DJ pictured here in his father’s studio. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

“It’s not every day you see a 12-year-old DJing – let alone playing a vinyl-only set with flawless transitions and even playing his own productions,” he said, adding he was “looking forward to watching him grow and listening to more of his great music”.

Niko’s EP has three tracks, which took him around a month to produce and “all three have different inspirations”, he explained.

While the first track, X-5, was inspired by Berlin-based producer Maurizio’s “old” 1996 track M6, “the other tracks are more ‘house-y’”.

But his taste is varied. 

“I listen to everything really; jazz, soul, funk, house, electro, experimental. I go on SoundCloud and there’s some DJs I like – they upload mixes and I just listen to those. They’re usually house,” he said.

He listens to all sorts of music and then learning the piano and [music] theory helped him more understand everything about production. It’s a long journey but he’s really interested in this

‘Surrounded by music’

While some might argue that club environments might not be suitable at Niko’s age, his father is careful about how he introduces his son to the experience of playing at live events.

“We are very selective of the places where he plays given his age... I don’t intend to see him in any places that are not appropriate,” said Owen. 

“He’s only played at Big Ron’s, a record shop, while digging for records or if we’re hanging out with friends – because most of my friends are also producers or DJs... and last time at Surfside, so I don’t see anything wrong with that,” he said.

He described his son’s upbringing as “always surrounded by music” with the pair listening to experimental electronic and fusion music together at home and in the car.

“He listens to all sorts of music and then learning the piano and [music] theory helped him more understand everything about production. It’s a long journey but he’s really interested in this.”

Would he like to see Niko follow in his footsteps?

“I will support him whatever he decides,” he said. “If he decides to be more of a producer, I would prefer it, but DJing is fine too. I know that he’s highly into the piano. So, we’re just music all day.”

Niko isn’t planning his career just yet and doesn’t see himself at any “crazy parties” in the future. For now, at least, the music, having fun and school is what matters most.