New Zealand-based beatmaker Jawsh 685 shot to sudden international success when one of his sunny, laid-back instrumentals, known as "siren jams," became a viral hit. His 2019 production "Laxed (Siren Beat)" unexpectedly caught on, becoming the basis for a trend of online dance videos, and pop star Jason Derulo incorporated the track into his chart-topping 2020 hit "Savage Love."
Born in South Auckland, Joshua Nanai is half Samoan and half Cook Islander. He began making beats in high school, taking the name Jawsh 685 in reference to Samoa's calling code. His tracks reflect the...