Grammy-winning Nigerian producer Udumum Peter Kelvin Amba is also known as an Afrobeats fan from Kel-P, and moves from behind the desk to the front of the stage. The producers have worked with things like Wizkid from Burna Boy to generate billions of streams and now name themselves as solo artists.
His latest record, Best in both worldsreleased in collaboration with fellow Afrobeats Bigwig Wande Coal, hopes to bring about a change in which collaboration becomes more common in this genre.
He speaks Musictech The way his production background shaped his approach to vocal work and a remote studio where you can write, record and produce beats while you’re out.
You recently got into the spotlight as a solo artist and have built your career as a producer. How did you inform your approach of being in front of the microphone when you were at the back of the desk?
Being a solo artist is wonderful. But while it’s a bit difficult to do certain things in terms of creating content, it’s always surprising when it comes to making music as an artist. I love the process more than I make music as a producer.
Being a producer from the start helped shape my sound. It developed my music, taught me, and gave me instructions on how to actually make my own music. So I love it, I love how I approach it, and I’m still producing while I’m in front of the microphone in the end.
In a previous interview, he said that becoming a producer was a coincidence. What was the process of learning how to become a producer? How long did it take to develop your signature style?
This process was interesting. I was in the studio for two years, making beats non-stop, trying new things, creating new beats every day. Doing that helped me get better, faster and faster. Now I’ve been doing this for a long time, so I was able to make the beat in 10 minutes.
I did the job and I found my own sound. Because I love producing Afrobeat so much, so I stuck to it and decided to develop it as my own producer. When the world heard it, they loved it too, so I think it was different and unique.
Tell us a little about your studio.
I currently have a mobile setup. I travel around the world so I set it up anywhere in the world. I don’t need to be in the right recording studio to actually make music. That’s my job. However, if you want to cut your vocals properly, go to the right studio.
What is your latest gear or plugin purchase?
The last thing I bought was a new FL Studio plugin. It’s crazy, you can just throw a song, it pulls out the stems for you to use. I also purchased the Waves V9 plugin which is very suitable for Vocals. It’s very valuable, Y and I love using them.
What is the best free plugin you own?
I don’t think I currently own a free plugin. However, early in my career I used to create beats using internal VST plugins that come with FL studios such as Purity, Nexus, and GMA, FL Keys. They also used internal and vocal plugins with Cubaze, such as compressors, dasers, and formulas.
What is your biggest investment in your career/studio? Was it worth it? why?
My biggest investment in my career is actually investing in myself as an artist and investing in myself to become a super producer!
You seem to be constantly moving, producing in various cities and locations around the world. What does your setup look like when you’re away from home?
I have this mobile studio because I travel a lot. This is my LAN monitor, laptop, SSL2+ interface and Neumann microphone. That’s not crazy, it means you can set it up anywhere.
Sometimes you actually go to the right recording studio and record things properly, but 80% of the time you only have to set up this mobile studio.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gq6jmx7u8vw
One of your biggest hits, one more nightuse the sample from dilemmaby Nelly and Kelly Roland. Where is the inspiration for sampling? How do you fit them into your music style?
I grew up listening to RNB in the early 2000s, so I told myself I was going to sample almost all of my favorite songs. Hopefully I can clear everything – sometimes it’s very difficult to clear – but I love that record.
How do you see your sound and studio evolve over the next two years?
My sound has already evolved so much in the last few years, and I can’t even explain this until unreleased music comes out!
When it comes to studios, I’m in different countries and in different places, so I’m not too into building a studio, so no matter where I’m mobile devices or anywhere. I’m not worried about building a studio because I couldn’t work in any studio in any country at any time.
However, you may want to change gears immediately, such as buying a new interface, a new microphone, a new VST plugin, and getting a new program.
What are the biggest lessons you learned from your career?
One of the biggest things I’ve learned in my life is that you have to grow. You can’t stay in one place. Growth is necessary. It’s forced.
Another lesson is that you have to get into work. And if you succeed, you will continue to be humble, but you are not stupid. Also, sometimes I have to say “No”! You don’t have to say yes to everything.
