SCTR x VENNA

From working with Wizkid, followed by a Grammy victory with Burna Boy, to widespread praise for his first EP Venology, Malik Venna has had a good couple of years. The 23-year-old saxophonist and producer is one of many young Black British musicians introducing jazz to new audiences and serving as an example for upcoming performers.

Venna, from South London’s music hub, began playing the piano at the age of six. It was his mum who first ignited his love for music, “even though I didn’t like it she put me in music lessons,” he says. He eventually grew to enjoy it, switching from piano to saxophone at 12 years old. “It just stuck with me, it resonated with me and I liked how it sounded, there were no bad things about sax for me at that time,” he recalls.

A tight sense of community in vibrant performing arts schools- BRIT School and East London Arts and Music- was also influential in honing his craft. “My teachers were good, school taught me some things and it got me in the routine of using professional studios,” Venna says over a video call.

Ever since the first musical introduction, Venna has been chasing his passion for the past five years. By the age of 16, he was immersed in the language of jazz allowing for his creativity to flourish. “It has definitely been a process and I give thanks because it is something that has really moulded and shaped me into doing what I’m doing now. You find your people, your tribe, who you like making music with. Jazz is the truth of everything. It is the foundation of a lot of genres and music. It resonates with my spirit and has taught me so much about music, black music and about my history,” he says.

Venna has spent these years shaping big releases in Afrobeats, jazz, and rap- winning a Grammy with Bruna Boy’s Twice as Tall album, playing in Wizkid’s Made in Lagos, the Lion King’s J Ara E and collaborating with close friend and renowned producer P2J. So far, his personal Spotify amasses over 450,000 monthly listeners. “It feels good,” Venna says. “It happened when I was 18 up until now. At that time, I wasn’t really taking it in. At that moment sometimes you don’t know what’s really going on. Now, I look back in hindsight and what we did was that we shaped the new era of Afrobeats and carved a new sound. Afrobeats is at the top of the world right now. So it’s beautiful and I’m just happy that I played a pivotal role in history.”

Venna is adamant his work is characterised by emotions. His first EP Venology released last year with over 10 million streams, with tracks including Sun, Moon & Herbs and June’s Cry, created at a period of heightened historical significance – Covid, Black Lives Matter and End Sars protests- provide the perfect example of Venna’s creative process. “From what people have told me, my music is thought-provoking, it’s emotion-driven. When I play music, it comes from my mind, from my spirit. I’m a vessel of the music I create. So God gives me whatever I need to play and it just comes through.” he adds. “I want people to feel the music, to resonate, to have their own meaning and story with it. I want someone to hear my song and think, ‘okay, this is where I was at this time when I heard this song,’ and like five years later, you hear the song and it takes you back to that moment. Music is endless and there are no rules to it.”

Venna’s next releases continue that emotional ethos, he highlights how his music has grown since his first EP. “This next project is a lot more mature, grown, and sophisticated. There’s a lot more thought, time and effort being put into it. I’ve been a lot more finicky and particular. In the first project, you have nothing to prove, no one knows man. But with this one, I have something to prove. It’s still Hip-Hop heavy, but still soulful, with some elements of indie too,” he explains. “I hope the same way the first project resonated with everyone, I hope this new one does as well, even more so.” On his next upcoming single, “we managed to just make a beautiful record that infuses heavy hitting drums but soulful sax, sweet piano melodies and beautiful guitar licks with a crazy baseline, and it’s a slap,” Venna excitedly tells me. “It’s just a blend of all the stuff that I appreciate in music and jazz. It’s definitely a journey.”

Navigating the music industry with a niche sound and instrument, though, has not been easy. “There have definitely been some trials and tribulations,” he says, “but I’m a go-getter, so I don’t develop my failures. I learn from them and I keep moving and I give thanks. It’s happened how it should have happened. I’m grateful for everything and I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Venna says, adding his failures are more seen as life lessons. “Things will happen when you want them to happen.”

Though effortlessly delivering his distinctive saxophone melodies to each track or feature he’s on, Venna admits that in actuality he’s his “own biggest critic”, adding that consistency in the music industry is essential. “I’m probably a nightmare to work with in terms of finishing things because I’m such a perfectionist. Once the music is out, it’s not mine anymore, it’s for the people so that’s why I take my time with things. It’s about just doing what you love and being good at it,” he says. “I’m in the game to make people feel good and make beautiful and great music and build a legacy. I want to have beautiful music to show for everything and folks who appreciate my music.”

Terrace Martin, Kendrick, Q-tip, The Caveman Band, Outkast, “and a lot of old school stuff” are just a few of his musical inspirations, Venna says, reading through his Spotify recent plays. His Dad plays a key role too. “My Dad likes old school like Brooklyn and New York. And every time I see him, he always plays me old school funk like Sly and the Family Stone so I’ve been listening to a lot of that too.”

Alongside hoping to work with Erykah Badu and Terrace Martin, Venna’s musical sights are endless, whilst still learning to focus on “balance and patience,” he says. “I’ve leant to find a good work and personal life balance. Always trying to respect everyone as there is so much that goes on behind the scenes. There are many team players who also deserve their applause.” And five years from now, “making music and working with the people that I love and respect,” are his future goals. “I’m just letting the music do the talking,” he says. “I want to be able to help more people around me, helping some youngsters come through the ranks too as it’s all a 360. It’s not just carrying on, you look back and see who else you can help too,” Venna affirms.