Biography of Paul Nuamah Donkor (Jayso)

PAUL NUAMAH DONKOR

(JAYSO)

Paul Nuamah Donkor better known by his stage name Jayso, is a Ghanaian record producer, rapper, singer and sound engineer. He was born on June 1, 1983. He is the CEO and founder of Skillions Records.

Early Life
He had love for classic hip-hop and jazz acts like Tribe Called Quest, Nat King Cole, Das Efx, Frank Sinatra. It was just a matter of time before he developed a fondness for what he heard and decided to follow that same path. In 1999, He worked with his partner Terry Thomas Tetteyfio known as T- Kube when they were both students at the Presbyterian Boys Secondary School, Legon. The growing hip-hop movement in Ghana became a force the day rapper and producer Jayso decided to chart the course.



Music Career

Along the way he became a member of another group known as The Haatsville Project dominated by JPE now ‘Kobi Onyame’, Mr. Scratch and The Canz. The group offered him a professional desire to make beats and music. In 2002, the group released their first production named the Haatsville Project with entire production handled by JPE and Jayso. The ‘Producer Extraordinaire’ decided to use his improved knowledge to resurrect the Skillions while enlisting J-town, NKP, Midknight and EL. Jayso's bedroom became the make-shift studio where they made their first banging mixtape entitled the Skillions Demotapes. This was the first of its kind in Ghana. It created major buzz which spread as far as West Africa especially, Nigeria. The group started a new phrase for the hip-hop industry in Ghana. "GH-RAP" as it was known has now become a slang that is echoing in the nation. Jayso defines "GH-RAP" as Hip-hop music made in Ghana. An alias for what the Skillions created in the booth. Basically, they simply wanted to be identified as Ghanaian Hip-hop artists. His interest in Computer Technology was the path to his  musical excellence in the first place. Jayso also took a few courses in leadership training programs in his spare time to sharpen his leadership skills.


Productions
His production prowess has spread around like wildfire. In just a few years, he has got a healthy slew of clients on his resumé. His productions include  Sway Dasafo, 2face Idibia, Reggie Rockstone, Wyclef Jean, Scientific, Kwaw Kese, Ikechukwu and Naeto-C of Nigeria and also Baponga of Gabon. Jayso also takes great credit in the success of Ghana's best Musician in the last decade, Sarkodie. Producing about 70% of his maiden album, Makye. Jayso is sharpening the business side of things. In collaboration with his personal manager, Melissa Mensah, they have launched Skillions Records. Skillions Records are credited with various projects with the aim of promoting good quality music that will break away into the international market. He currently owns and manages a band that specializes in Jazz music.

 Ghana is gradually embracing home-grown hip-hop and Jazz music. It is undoubtedly Jayso that made it happen.

Hit Songs
Pizza and Burger (Collaboration)
Balotelli (Collaboration)
Woowoowoo
Making Tasha Proud

Collaboration

Sarkodie

M.anifest

Efya

Sway

Awards and Nominations

Awards

2011

4syte TV Music Video Awards: Best Editing Video,Best Hiphop (Collaboration)

SoundCity Music Video Awards: Best Collaboration Video

Nominations

2010

SoundCity Music Video Awards: Best Hip-hop video, Best Male

2013

 Channel O Africa Music Awards: Most Gifted Hip-Hop Video