Seventeen-year-old Samoan superstar music producer, Jawsh 685, has sent love and advice to aspiring artists in Samoa after topping America's music charts last week, in an interview with the Samoa Observer. 

The producer’s breakout smash-hit is “Savage Love (Laxed Siren Beat)” is a collaboration with R&B singer Jason Derulo.

It topped America’s Billboard Hot 100 charts last week but has also reached the top spot in a total of 17 countries. 

The music producer, whose stage name is derived from the country calling code for Samoa, could very well be the first Samoan recording artist to achieve a top single in the United States. 

“I’m pretty sure I am. But [I’m] blessed always and will always be thankful!,” Jawsh - whose real name is Joshua Christian Nanai - told the Samoa Observer in an email interview. 

“[I am representing] not only my people but everything else I love alongside it.”

The Auckland-based producer expressed his love and gratitude to his many Samoan fans. 

 “[I] just want to say a big thank you to everyone for all the love and support on the track and my work,” Nanai said.

“[That is] much much appreciated always! 

“Further on with the music I go! God bless.”

Nanai said he feels honoured to have made the top of the charts but also to have had the opportunity to work with the South Korean boy-band group B.T.S., who made a remix of the song 

“Savage Love (Laxed Siren Beat)” has dominated the streaming charts and broken records on the global music scene.

Jawsh 685 has been nominated for the M.T.V. Europe Music Award for the Best New Zealand Act category. The winner will be announced next month. 

The song has spent six weeks in the top spot on the Australian Recording Industry Association charts - breaking a record last set more than two decades ago by band OMC. 

The track has gone platinum four times in Canada; twice in Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. It went platinum in eight countries and gold in six other countries.

In addition to making No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard chart, “Savage Love” is the No. 1 all-time top track on TikTok.

But Nanai said that clinching the top spot on the American charts has been the peak of his career to date. 

“It’s a really big achievement for me!,” he said. 

“[I am] honoured even to have made it on the charts themselves.

“[I am] blessed to work alongside Jason Derulo and BTS, and to also have a big base of supporters!”

Nanai’s advice to other artists is to “work in silence.”

“For me, just do the work in silence. Let the success be your noise. Loud and stylah!,” he said. 

“Glory to God always.

“To all my usos (brothers and sisters) y’all know the go! Don’t give up and keep making them good old tunes for us to kick it to! Keep inspiring others.”

Asked if he plans to visit Samoa when the country’s borders open he said he had made definite plans. 

“You can be sure I will,” he said.

“[I am] not sure when, but that’s one [of] my biggest places. I wanna visit my home.”