and 17th Heads Ceremony Around the corner, the Nigerian music scene is bustling with excitement. Arguably the biggest night of Afrobeat, the awards ceremony attracts the acclaim they earned, a year after the performance artists and the relentless team behind them, immersed their global audience in craft.
Some of the people who are perceived are those who learn and produce the sounds that have driven us and that have kept us moving throughout the past year.
The prestigious “Producer of the Year” award recipients are responsible for the most highly rated songs or album of the year under review. From Don Jazzy to Killertunes, these producers produce sounds that stand out in the oversaturated Nigerian music scene in other ways, demanding attention and adoring.
For decades, sound engineers have been working with artists to capture sounds on tape. Technical experts, these producers were often in the background, experimenting with instruments to expand the boundaries of Nigerian music. As the industry matured, producers began to assert more prominent roles, working with artists to help them find their sound and refine it. In the 90s and early 2000s, producers such as OJB Jezreel, Cobhams Asuquo, and Don Jazzy shaped the sounds of Nigerian hip-hop, R&B and gospel music and emerged as influential figures.
Alongside fellow Mo’hits pioneer D’Banj, Don Jazzy has marked the rise of a duo of producer artists, paving the way for Sarz, Juls and MagicSticks. Somewhere along this timeline, producers have become unique celebrities who can recognize recognizable names, catchy taglines and unique musical identity.
From MagicStick’s “Tune In In Tune in the King of Sounds and Blues” to Phelz’s “Riddimamaolayo!”, viewers are now forced to acknowledge the presence of producers on the track and give them flowers.
Modern Nigerian music producers can attract critical acclaim, move to recording artists and own a record label. Open Creative Training Academy Also, recording artists release their own tracks without lending out vocals.
As Nigerian music continues to break barriers and Nigerian artists captivate global audiences, the producers behind the chart topping tracks deserve equally recognised.
These seven producers held back Afrobeat last year.
P. Prime (giddem!)
One of the youngest in the game, P. Prime brings youthful talent to every track. By favouring dynamic drum patterns and melodic thin-cereys, he distinguished himself from his peers and carved his lanes. Trained at the Salz Academy, he has worked with several artists who will be placing Afrobeat on the global stage. He produced most of the Tracks of Fireboy DML’s acclaimed debut album. Laughter tears and goose skin It was featured in Black Panther: Wakanda forever Soundtrack.
Over the past year, his work has been told in itself. In particular, his collaborations with Lema, Wizkid and Asake. He and Lema previously showed that they have undeniable chemistry in their 2023 singles dndthe two of us collaborated once more to deliver the national anthem of the Afrorave that set up us, March AM Peaked at number 18 on Billboard US, reinforced the song charts, with Nigeria’s official top 100 and number 27 Azaman From Lema High speed. In addition to this, P. Prime created some tracks on Wizkid’s Morayo And asake’s Lungu Boy include MMS It debuted at No. 1 on Nigeria’s official Top 100 charts and the UK’s Afrobeats charts. He collaborated with Ayra Starr on his sophomore album. The year I turned 21 He is in charge of the nostalgic groove Jazzy’s song On top of that he organized One Decor 2009. You’re bad.
London (London!)
The brain behind the playful melody of Lema’s 2023 hit Calm down, London is known for his futuristic and innovative Afrobeat. Comes with a banger like Wizkid GyrateTiwa Savage Koroba And Rema Sound Gasm Under his belt, he has named himself as a key player in the Nigerian music scene.
Over the past year, he has mixed moody trap elements with Afrobeat percussion to test the boundaries of Afropop, eventually bringing a genre curve. High speed From Lema, where London acted as an executive producer. He especially produced trucks Ozeba and War Machinethe former tops the Nigerian music charts for two consecutive weeks, reaching the top five of the Nigerian turntable, Booprey and the top five of the UK Afrobeat charts, finishing the year, ranking No. 4 of Rolling Stone’s best afropop songs. His moody trap productions are also featured. Birds sing moneythe opening track for Ayra Starr’s sophomore album.
Salz (Ridim!)
Salz has long established himself as a veteran Afrobeat producer, and has been responsible for some of the biggest national anthems of the genre, including Wizkid. ojuelegba, One dance Drake and Kaira peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 happiness With Asake and Gunna. He captivates Nigerian and international listeners with Afrobeat, encountering R&B sounds filled with infectious drums, clean samples and electronic elements.
Over the past year, he has worked with Asake On Tracks active With Travis Scott Yes, yes His third studio album, Lungu Boy. The former reached the top spot on the US Billboard Afrobeats Song Chart, and also peaked at number one on the Apple Music NG Top Songs chart. He also produced it in collaboration with Ruger and BNXN. Irritating From their joint ep, RNB It peaked at 10th place on the official Nigeria Hot 100 chart.
P2J
P2J’s afrofusion is believed to have shaped the sounds of modern Afrobeat, combining Afrobeat bounce with cool R&B melodies. He has received local and international acclaim for his work at home and with a wide range of artists abroad. He produced six tracks on Beyoncé’s collaboration album Lion King: Giftgarnered a Grammy nomination and won the Grammy Best Global Music Album for his work on Burna Boy’s 2020 album Double height And I collaborated with Wizkid on his album. Made in Lagos This resulted in a global smash hit essence Using Tems, the first Afrobeats Song creates a chart on the Billboard Hot 100.
His work over the past year has been extensive. He produced most of Wizkid’s albums Morayo, include Karamo and chart topping single Kes (dance) He peaked at number one with the Apple Music Nigeria Charts, debuting at No. 2 on Spotify Nigeria, knocking out several popular tracks on charts around the world. He also produced the first collaboration between Ayra Starr and Asake. Goodbye (warm up) It peaked at number 8 on the official Nigeria Hot 100 chart.
Blaise Beatz (Obah!)
Weaving intricate drum patterns and infectious rhythms, Blaze Beat had an undeniable effect on afro-pop. He works with everyone from Davido to Tekno and is responsible for producing hits such as Asake’s. Lonely at the top, Kiz Daniels buga (lo lo lo) 1DA Bunton There is no harassment. He also contributed to the evolution of Adekunle Gold from an alternative fork to Afropop, lending his production skills to records such as: Something’s different and Understood.
His presence on the Afro-pop scene has been consistent throughout 2024. He worked for Fireboy DML Daily life Debuting at No. 11 on Nigeria’s official Top 100 chart, he collaborated with BNXN and REMA on his chart topping single Fi kan we kan It peaked at number one on Apple Music Nigeria and the official Nigeria Top 100 chart, producing Asake’s just me Created in collaboration with BNXN and Ruger Po and Bae Bae, The latter debuted at No. 15 on the UK official Afrobeats chart.
Producer X (Yo X!)
Enigma, Producer X is known for its distinctive, often gritty beats that blend Nigerian South-South rhythm with modern pop and trap. X signed by Panda Entertainment is behind the track like Viral Machala Carterefe and otilo Beli Tiga, Poco Lee and Hotkeed.
2024 saw his rough sounds captured perfectly by Lema High speed, Provides trucks Benin boy Charpopi below, which has crossed Nigeria’s official Top 100 singles chart, reached number one on Nigeria’s Apple Music Chart shortly after its release and lead single Hehehe Top of the Nigeria Apple Music Top Songs chart.
babybeats
Following the rise in fame with DJ Tunez in 2020 PlumpBabyBeats continues to fuse Afro Street with pop, hip hop and R&B.
He worked with various artists in 2024. Avanicada By Zinoleesky and Naira Marley Showcase Byyoung John and Blaqbones, Real life Shutterwale and Mr. Heartbreaker By Rosemary Alaba and Odumodublvck.
