Nana Rogues: From Producing for UK Hip-Hop Elite to Fostering New Talents

Nana Rogues is a name that carries weight in the music production community, having forged an impressive career over the past ten years. His knack for producing and co-writing has attracted collaboration with an enviable list of artists including UK hip-hop heavyweights like Dave, J Hus, Skepta, Stormzy, and international sensations such as Drake and Wizkid.

Garnering recognition, Rogues has a BRIT Award for Dave's chart-topping 'Psychodrama' and boasts two Grammy nominations for his roles on Ella Mai’s debut and Drake’s 'Scorpion'. This winning streak looks set to continue as he enters a new phase with a global publishing deal with Concord. A partnership that Rogues believes will not only boost his career but also allow him to lift upcoming talents alongside him.

Prior to Concord, Rogues operated without a publisher for six years, focusing his energy on refining his own unique sound, inspired by earlier generation producers like The Neptunes. His passion for music production started in his childhood, as he marveled at the sonic features of tracks from the late '90s to early 2000s. His determination saw him become serious about his craft in 2014 after producing a hit for Section Boyz and Wiley’s 'Link Up' featured on 'EastEnders', which marked significant milestones for him.

Nowadays, Rogues manages a hectic schedule, balancing nights in the studio with personal time. Despite his extensive work as a producer, he has ambitions to venture into artist representation. He envisions starting a producer society to mentor budding talent, facilitated by the resources from Concord.

His new A&R at Concord, Harri Davies, has faith in Rogues’ talents, emphasizing his ability to bring out the best in other creatives. Davies aims to extend Rogues' range to span various genres and to solidify his international reputation as a top-tier writer and producer.

As for the makings of a good producer, Rogues believes in openness and versatility, which he sees as crucial to differentiating oneself in a crowded field. He stresses the importance of interpreting and enhancing an artist’s vision, rather than imposing his own. For songwriting, conveying a story effectively without overthinking is key.

Inspiration for Rogues comes from multiple sources, be it music from fellow producers or personal experiences and conversations. To push past creative blocks, he steps away from music, allowing normalcy to reboot his creativity.

Rogues’ philosophy on standing out is clear: embrace change, prioritize uniqueness, and beware of creative stagnation. With streaming shaping the industry, he advocates for better recognition and compensation for songwriters, who play a vital role in music creation.

Reflecting upon his career alongside the rise of music streaming, Rogues has adapted, yet hopes for fairer distribution of streaming revenues to creators. With his recent move to Concord after years of independent work, Rogues is prepared to release new music both as an artist and a producer.

Looking forward, Rogues aims to work with big names such as Adele, Ed Sheeran, and Beyoncé, while also focusing on guiding young talent. His vision extends to running a full-fledged production hub, which would provide both a creative space and management for up-and-coming producers.

Finally, addressing the future of British hip-hop, Rogues reflects on the need for music with staying power, rather than transient successes often targeted for viral moments on platforms like TikTok. He offers this advice to aspiring music professionals: stand out, stay versatile, work hard but smart, and nurture relationships in an industry that can sometimes overlook real talent.

producer, hip-hop, mentorship