Like artists, Nigerian producers depict the creative ingenuity that abounds in the country. They are heroes without capes who make musical life easy for the artists. In our last article, we took a look at the top 5 next generation of music producers in Nigeria. Something about these guys is the fact that they are very young and have taken Nigerian music to a whole new level, consequently getting international recognition.
Before meeting the next 5, let’s define who a music producer is.
Who is a music producer?
A music producer is a musical creative who assists an artist with their recording project, bringing their vision to fruition and guiding their sound along the way. Also called a record producer, he is responsible for determining and leading the creative and technical aspects of recordings, whether for a single song, an album, or a soundtrack. Record Producers typically work in the studio with artists, musicians, and Audio Engineers to create and sonically shape the finished tracks. They are also songwriters and can work independently or for a music company.
The new generation – The next 5
KEL-P ( Tagline: “It’s Kel-P Vibes”)
Udoma Peter Kelvin Amba popularly known by his trademark Kel-P is a Nigerian record producer, singer and songwriter. He is best known for producing and co-writing the Grammy nominated world album African Giant in 2019. He is currently signed to Aristokrat Records
The Lagos born and bred producer rose to prominence in 2018 following his production on Solid Star’s single “Eleganza”.
He took his game to a new level in 2019 – a year he produced and co-wrote 10 of the 19 songs on Burna Boy’s African Giant, which earned a nomination for Best World Album for the 62nd GRAMMY Awards. That same year (2019), he won all the awards he was nominated for. He has also worked with several artists who include Niniola, Diamond Platnumz, and Wizkid. Major hits are “Dangote” by Burna Boy, “Peace of Mind” by Rema, “Jeje” by Diamond Platnumz, “Boda Sodiq” & “Fantasy” by Niniola, and “Ghetto Love” by Wizkid.
On 24 November 2020, he was nominated at the 63rd Grammy Awards, via Skip Marley album Higher Place,[ on the song “Faith”
Kel-P produced a song in Rema’s new album which was released on the 25th of March 2022. Interestingly, “Made In Lagos: Deluxe Edition” by (Wizkid) and “Mother Nature” by (Angélique Kidjo) which had Kel-P’s touch in them, are being talked about as albums which will get Grammy nominations this year.
LONDON (Tagline: “London”)
Michael Ovie Hunter, popularly known as London is a British-Nigerian that was born in England and raised in Kaduna State by a Delta State Mom and a London citizen Dad.
He is fondly known for his production of Ayra Starr’s Bloody Samaritan, though he has lots of other hot songs. With bangers like “Gyrate” by Wizkid, “Koroba” by Tiwa Savage and “Soundgasm” by Rema under his belt, it’s crazy to think his journey as a music producer only started in 2018.
The Kaduna bred young producer started out with graphic design before experimenting with keyboards and drums at his church, where he recorded melodies to impress his friends at school. Veteran Nigerian music producer BabyFresh behind hit song “Adaobi” by the Mavins, mentored London consequently, leading to his rapid rise in the industry. The 22 year old is indeed one for the future.
TELZ (Tagline: “Funkula”)
Ali Odunayo, popularly known as Telz is one of the hottest producers right now in Nigeria and a friend to BNXN formerly Buju. The 25 year old songwriter and producer is known for primarily producing Burna Boy‘s Grammy award winning album Twice As Tall and Patoranking 2020 commercially acclaimed hit song “Abule”; the latter where he delivered an eargasmic blend of Afrobeats and reggae.
Telz produced five out of the 13 tracks on Twice As Tall, (“Wonderful,” “Onyeka,” “Naughty by Nature,” “Wetin Dey Sup,” and “Real Life”). The producer is now signed to Burna Boy’s Spaceship Records.
In 2020, he won Producer of the Year at Maya Awards Africa. In 2021, he received the recognition and participation certificates from The Recording Academy as a producer on the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards winning recording album Twice As Tall for Best Global Music Album.
RANSOM BEATZ
Talk about a ‘techie- producer’, who used technology to carve a niche for himself in the industry, then you talk about John Iyinbor a.k.a Ransom Beatz. Without tutelage and mentorship to start his career, the Abuja-born talent leveraged the use of YouTube to sell his creativity. He makes the type of beats people search for on YouTube. His rendition of “Beat My Meat” by Ugly God was a turnaround in his channel, garnering over 7 million views.
His YouTube channel, now known for afrobeats, trap and drill has since garnered almost 70,000 subscribers and over 10 million views.
Through Youtube, he has been able to work with international acts such as US rapper 6ix9ine (“Yaya”), which has 238 million views..
He also produced “Smoke” by British rappers Big Tobz and Dizzee Rascal. Recently, he produced four tracks off Runtown’s new project, Sound GodFest Reloaded, including “Mama Told Me” featuring Made Kuti. He is currently working with Fiokee; BenJamz who produced Burna Boy’s “African Giant,” “Gum Body” and Masterkraft.
ANDRE VIBEZ (Tagline: “Vibez”)
Signed to Mavin Label, Andre Vibez whose real name is Alexandre Uwaifo is ready for a stellar musical career in production. He is the son of late music legend Dr Victor Uwaifo
He produced ‘Feeling’ by Ladipoe featuring Buju – a hit which within a month, garnered over 800 000 streams on Spotify, over 500 000 views on YouTube and charted number 1 on the Apple Music Nigeria Charts.
Obviously talented from the start, Uwaifo started producing in 2005 when he was just 16 years old. He picked up the basics fairly quickly and experimented with R&B before delving into Afro-pop and Afrobeats. The Lagos-based producer started off as a musician and would make songs for small-time artists to earn money.
By 2012, he had transitioned to being a full-time producer. Other songs he produced are ‘Ye Ye Ye’ by Omah Lay, “Too Correct” by Crayon and Rema and ‘Bridgertn’ off Ayra Starr’s latest album.
Other Mentions:
Dunnie (Tagline: “Legend o!”)
She is a Nigerian female producer changing the storyline in an industry dominated by males. Dunnie is so good she has worked with some of the popular faces in the industry like Sean Tizzle, Oxlade among others.
Louddaa (Tagline: “Louder!”)
Following his effort on Ayra Starr’s debut project, helming its production credit with three tracks including Away, Kehinde Alabi a.k.a Louddaa is one for the future. He is signed to Don Jazzy’s Mavin Label.
According to the report, Louddaa was initially employed as a studio engineer at the record label, but after a period of training and learning under Don Jazzy, especially bonding with the talented Ayra Starr, he has grown to become one of the next rated producers in the country.
Type A (Tagline: Ayyy!)
He produced “New York City Girl”, the lead single off Fireboy’s sophomore album, Apollo. Type A also contributed five records to the Headies-awarded Album of the Year (2020). The producer holds production credits in records like “Haba” by Blaqbonez, “Oshe” and “Celebration” in Joeboy’s debut album.