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Jerome Sydenham

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Jerome Sydenham
Background information
Also known asCasino J, Downtown Brooklyn Inc
Born1967 (age 58–59)
GenresHouse, techno
OccupationsMusician, DJ, record producer, label owner
Years active1989–present
LabelsIbadan, Afromatic, Kraftmatik, Apotek, Avocado, Public Service
AwardsUnderground Archives Choice Awards: Track of The Year Ferrer & Sydenham "Sandcastles" 2004

Jerome Sydenham is an American music producer,[1]label owner[2] and DJ with expertise in A&R, art and fashion curation.[3][4] He is the owner of Bodija Music Publishing (BMG) and  Bodija Music (ASCAP).[5]

Early life

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Born and raised in Ibadan, Nigeria,[6] Sydenham developed a spiritual connection to music from an early age.[7] Inspired by musicians such as King Sunny Adé and Fela Kuti,[8] as well as the sounds of Fuji Reggae and  Apkala music.[6] Upon completing his primary and secondary education in Nigeria, he went on to attain his A-Levels in the UK. During this period between boarding school and London, his cultural palate was expanded through exposure to a variety of new genres of music and social expression. He then moved to New York in 1985 to study at NYU.[7]

Career

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While enjoying New York’s vibrant club scene, his interest in vinyl records and DJ culture became increasingly serious. The turning point in his career came in 1988, when Sydenham secured a residency at Nell’s nightclub in New York City.[9] This marked the beginning of his professional journey as a young executive in the A&R department at Atlantic and East West Records. He contributed to the success of En Vogue, Simply Red, Das EFX, Snow and Gerald Levert.[9]

He is based in Berlin, Germany running record labels including Ibadan Records as well as touring as a DJ and producing electronic music.[10][11]

Sydenham was recruited into the A&R division of Atlantic Records in 1989. While at Atlantic/ East West Records (Time Warner), under the tutelage of Merlin Bobb and Silvia Rhone Jerome Sydenham enjoyed commercial success as the youngest African record executive in the American corporate music industry.[12]

A&R achievements

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Gold records

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  • LeVert – "Private Line" (single) (1991)
  • En Vogue – "My Lovin" (first single from Funky Divas) (1992)
  • En Vogue – "Giving Him Something He Can Feel" (second single from Funky Divas) (1992)
  • En Vogue – "Free Your Mind" (third single from Funky Divas) (1992)
  • En Vogue – "Give It Up, Turn It Loose" (fourth single from Funky Divas) (1993)
  • Da Lench Mob – Guerillas in tha Mist (album) (1992)
  • Das EFX – "They Want EFX" (single) (1992)

Platinum records

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  • En Vogue – Born to Sing (album) (1990)
  • En Vogue – Funky Divas (album) (1990), US 5× platinum
  • En Vogue – "Hold On" (single from Born to Sing) (1992)
  • Simply Red – Stars (album) (1991), US 12× platinum
  • Snow – 12 Inches of Snow (album) (1992)
  • Snow – "Informer" (single) (1992)
  • Das EFX – Dead Serious (album) (1992)

He was executive producer for "Underground Dance Music Vol. 1" (Atlantic, 1992)[13] showcasing some of the earliest productions from a young Roger Sanchez, Murk and Pal Joey, Kerri Chandler (In 2006 Sydenham, acting as executive producer, re-issued these records under Ibadan Records)[14]. He would continue to work with the likes of Dennis Ferrer [15], Adam Bayer (Drumcode)[16], Ron Trent[17], Joe Claussell[18], The Martinez Brothers[19] and Seth Troxler.[20]

Label management

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Ibadan Records
Founded1995
FounderJerome Sydenham
StatusActive
GenreHouse, deep house, Afro house, tech house, techno
LocationNew York City (1995-2008)
Berlin (2008-present)

After leaving the corporate world[21], Sydenham established his first independent label, Pallas Records, 1994 (a boutique golden e-rap label alongside hip hop pioneer Fab 5 Freddy).[22][23][24] The Label focused on hip-hop and R&B, and achieved platinum success with the Chicago hip-hop group Crucial Conflict, as well as underground success with West Coast street legend Erule[25] and his enduring hip-hop classic "Listen Up".[26]

In 1995 Sydenham founded Ibadan Records (House, Techno)[27][28] in New York City, though it is now run out of Berlin, Germany. The label celebrated its 15-year anniversary in 2010[29][30], 30th anniversary in 2025.[31]

Events

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In August 2022, Sydenham orchestrated the inaugural African cultural event "Afromatic Tokyo" [3]. This bespoke showcase of contemporary African art, Afrobeats Music, and haute couture African fashion (including the closing of Tokyo Fashion Week, 2022)[32] culminated in the first A-list African art auction (in the Hillside Terrace Gallery)[33] in Japanese history.[3] Many such events followed. In June 2026, Jerome Sydenham participated as a guest curator for, asset management corporation, Capital Group’s annual "Taking Pride in Art"exhibition.[34]  

DJ career

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Sydenham’s "ever-expanding love affair"[10] with electronic music led to an international DJ career[35] that has spanned most major cities and countries across the globe[10] including remote locations such as Siberia, Cambodia,  and Hokkaido, Japan. In 1995, he founded the now-legendary Ibadan Records imprint, which continues to make a lasting impact on the music industry in 2026. He extended his influence by creating Apotek[36], Avocado[37] and Royal Babylon (Techno)[38], Kraftmatic[39] and Ibadan (House)[40]. Jerome Sydenham’s expansion into the cultural sphere gave birth to Afromatic.[41]

In 2008, Sydenham permanently settled in Berlin, performing primarily at Berghain and Panorama Bar.[42] Also, he was appearing frequently at many of Berlin’s major clubs whilst continuing his international endeavours.[43]

See also

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References

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  1. ↑ Nir Gafen (27 September 2012). "[Jerome Sydenham interview]". Time Out Tel Aviv (in Hebrew). p. 119.
  2. ↑ "Jerome Sydenham Interview". The Apt. Voice. Vol. 7. Tokyo. 2007.
  3. 1 2 3 "Afromatic Tokyo". Nataal. 2022.
  4. ↑ "Biography of Jerome Sydenham". Resident Advisor. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  5. ↑ "Timbuktu (Pan African Electro Dub), by Dennis Ferrer, Jerome Sydenham". Ibadan Records. Retrieved 22 August 2026.
  6. 1 2 "Kerri Chandler & Jerome Sydenham: Know Culture Behind the Beats". Composite (in Japanese). 2001. pp. 154–155.)
  7. 1 2 "Jerome Sydenham – True to His Roots Interview". soso magazine. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  8. ↑ "Jerome Sydenham, Ibadan". [German outlet, TBD from full page] (in German).
  9. 1 2 "Jerome Sydenham: Whatever makes you happy Interview". Resident Advisor. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  10. 1 2 3 "Pick: Jerome Sydenham". BK Magazine. Bangkok. 2006. p. 20.
  11. ↑ "Profiles in Courage: Jerome Sydenham". Time Out New York. 23 February 2006. p. 84.
  12. ↑ Ben Lovett (1 October 2001). "Grooveyard: Saturday Night Fever – Sydenham and Chandler on Their Weekend Thing". New Nation. UK.
  13. ↑ Various - Underground Dance Music Vol. 1, 1992, retrieved 22 August 2026
  14. ↑ "Jerome Sydenham – Underground Dance Music Vol. 1 (The Original Classics)". Discogs.
  15. ↑ Damian Lazarus (2005). "Techno Guest Reviews (Singles)". JUICE.
  16. ↑ DCR025 - Drumcode Radio - Jerome Sydenham Guest Mix by Adam Beyer, 27 January 2011, retrieved 22 August 2026
  17. ↑ "S.A.T. (Album), by S.A.T." S.A.T. Retrieved 22 August 2026.
  18. ↑ Jerome Sydenham / Joe Claussell - Blacktro (Demo 1) / Spiritual Insurrection, 21 November 2007, retrieved 22 August 2026
  19. ↑ The Martinez Brothers, Martin Buttrich, Jerome Sydenham & Mathew Jonson - Joint Custody EP, 2017, retrieved 22 August 2026
  20. ↑ Art Department Feat. Seth Troxler - Cruel Intentions, 2014, retrieved 22 August 2026
  21. ↑ Benjamin Boles (2001). "Sydenham's Rootsy Revolution". NOW Magazine. Toronto.
  22. ↑ "Pallas Records Discography". Discogs. Retrieved 22 August 2026.
  23. ↑ "archives.nypl.org -- Fab 5 Freddy photographs". archives.nypl.org. Retrieved 22 August 2026.
  24. ↑ "Bio". www.fab5freddy.com. Archived from the original on 18 February 2024. Retrieved 22 August 2026.
  25. ↑ Erule - Listen Up / Synopsis, 1994, retrieved 22 August 2026
  26. ↑ Erule - Listen Up / Synopsis, 1994, retrieved 22 August 2026
  27. ↑ "Joe Claussell – Language (Ibadan) (review)". Chaser. 1999. p. 57.
  28. ↑ "[Jerome Sydenham feature/interview]". De:Bug (in German). 2006. p. 19.
  29. ↑ "Jerome Sydenham: Whatever makes you happy Interview". Resident Advisor. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  30. ↑ "Beats Per Week: Dial Up the 416". Eye Weekly. Toronto. 18 October 2001.
  31. ↑ "BBE Music's 30th Birthday Party: PART 2". BBE Music - Barely Breaking Even. Retrieved 22 August 2026.
  32. ↑ Rakuten Fashion Week TOKYO (3 September 2022). AFROMATIC TOKYO 2023 S/S Collection | Rakuten Fashion Week TOKYO 2023 S/S. Retrieved 22 August 2026 – via YouTube.
  33. ↑ ADF (1 August 2022). "AFROMATIC TOKYO 2022 – Viewing – cutting-edge African and Nigerian contemporary art". ADF Web Magazine. Retrieved 22 August 2026.
  34. ↑ Dickson, Julie (June 2026). "Taking Pride In Art Artist Programme". Capital Group. 9: 50 – via CG Pride A Capital Community.
  35. ↑ "Electric Pussycat starring Jerome Sydenham as "Casino J" (review)". BMR (in Japanese). 1997.
  36. ↑ "Apotek Records". www.traxsource.com. Retrieved 22 August 2026.
  37. ↑ "Avocado Records · Record label ⟋ RA". Resident Advisor. Retrieved 22 August 2026.
  38. ↑ "Royal Babylon Records". bleep.com. Retrieved 22 August 2026.
  39. ↑ "Kraftmatic". Kraftmatic. Retrieved 22 August 2026.
  40. ↑ "Ibadan Records". Ibadan Records. Retrieved 22 August 2026.
  41. ↑ "Afromatic". Afromatic. Retrieved 22 August 2026.
  42. ↑ "Jerome Sydenham Past Events Resident Advisor".
  43. ↑ Eric Solomon. "Jerome Sydenham & Kerri Chandler – "Saturday" (review)". XLR8R.
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