In the dynamic world of music, producers play a crucial role in shaping the course of Afrobeats, yet they often receive limited accolades compared to the spotlight enjoyed by musical acts. While songs, albums, and music projects garner praise, much of the recognition is directed toward the artistes, leaving the producers with relatively little acknowledgment. In reality, producers contribute an immense amount of effort, frequently putting in as much or even more work into the creative output.
Setting aside sentiments, it’s essential to highlight the significant impact that producers have on the Afrobeats soundscape. Here are ten producers who are currently making noteworthy contributions to shaping the vibrant landscape of Afrobeats:
SARZ
At the pinnacle of the hierarchy, we must begin by acknowledging one of the most influential producers in the Afrobeats landscape. Despite being an OG, Sarz has not only maintained but transcended his relevance, remaining a significant figure in today’s musical discourse.
Sarz made his noteworthy debut in 2007 alongside Lord Of Ajasa on the “See Drama” project. Since then, he has left an indelible mark by producing iconic works for virtually every top Afrobeats artistee imaginable. In the contemporary scene, his impact is still resounding, evident in collaborations with various artistes. Notably, his joint EPs have played pivotal roles in shaping the careers of artistes such as Lojay (“LV N ATTN”), Obongjayar (“Sweetness”), and Wurld (“I LUV GIRLS WITH TROBUL”).
Beyond his prolific production work, Sarz has also ventured into music education, founding The Sarz Academy. This academy has become a breeding ground for some of the finest emerging music acts and producers, further solidifying Sarz’s legacy in nurturing the next generation of talents in the Afrobeats industry.
PHEELZ
In the realm of Afrobeats producers, Pheelz stands as a major heavyweight. While more recently focusing on his personal music career, he excels remarkably in both realms, showcasing mastery as an elite figure in both production and artistee domains.
His recognition surged in 2012 when he collaborated with Olamide on tracks like “First of All” and “Fucking with the Devil” from the YBNL album. Although he had prior works with Olamide, these tracks solidified his presence. Since then, Pheelz has intricately etched his name among the top Afrobeats producers, collaborating with artistes ranging from Usher and Davido to Wizkid and Teni.
In addition to his prodigious production career, Pheelz has transitioned into a music act himself. He has premiered two EPs, with “Finesse” in 2022, standing as one of Afrobeats’ biggest hits. This dual role as both a producer and an artistee underscores Pheelz’s versatility and enduring impact on the contemporary Afrobeats landscape.
YOUNG JONN
The tag “Young Jonn the wicked producer” resonates prominently, signifying the significant influence of Young Jonn in the Afrobeats scene. A key player in the YBNL family, he played a pivotal role in its dominance throughout the 2010s. However, mirroring the trajectory of Pheelz, Young Jonn has transitioned into a full-time music act, solidifying his place with a Chocolate City deal in 2022 and a string of chart-topping singles.
Undoubtedly, Young Jonn has emerged as a valuable asset, contributing to the shaping of the modern-day Afrobeats movement, wearing the hats of both a singer and, more notably, a producer. His journey exemplifies the versatility of artistes in the industry, seamlessly transitioning between roles and leaving an indelible mark on the evolving landscape of Afrobeats.
KEL-P
Born as Udoma Peter Kelvin Amba, he has charted a prolific career that has significantly influenced the trajectory of Afrobeats. His major breakthroughs began in 2016 when he crossed paths with and collaborated with Sarz, paving the way for what would become his remarkable journey.
From that pivotal moment to the present, he has left an indelible mark with notable works alongside artistes such as Wizkid, Angelique Kidjo, Burna Boy, and Janelle Monae. Notably, he has either produced or co-produced albums that have earned Grammy nominations or victories, solidifying his status as a Grammy award-winning producer.
Currently, he is under contract with the Universal Music Publishing Group, while simultaneously maintaining ownership of the recording company Bully Entertainment.
REXXIE
The Afrobeats streets owe a significant portion of their sound and innovation to Rexxie, renowned for his street-esque style and collaborations with street-hop acts.
Foremost among his long list of achievements is the creation of the ZANKU sound around 2018, a trend-setting style developed alongside Zlatan. This influence extends to his numerous collaborations with street legend Naira Marley, Davido, and a groundbreaking song that caused a paradigm shift in the street scene, “KPK,” with the late Mohbad.
Rexxie’s prowess has not gone unnoticed, garnering several accolades throughout his career. One of his most notable awards comes from his collaborations with Burna Boy on the “Twice As Tall” album, earning him the prestigious Grammy Award as a recognized producer.
LONDON
London, though a relatively newer figure in the limelight compared to earlier mentioned acts, has carved out one of the most impactful careers in Afrobeats. His first notable work was “Turn Up” for DJ Tunez in 2018, setting the stage for his subsequent successes. In 2019, he made a significant move by signing with Blowtime Entertainment, a division of Mavin.
Since then, London has been working closely with Mavin signees, leaving his mark on numerous projects within the Afrobeats scene. Notable credits include contributions to top albums such as “Made in Lagos” (Deluxe), “The Villain I Never Was,” and “Celia.” However, his most notable achievement lies in his role as the producer for Rema’s debut album, “Rave and Roses,” where he produced an impressive 14 out of 16 songs. Notably, “Calm Down” from this album has emerged as one of the most successful Afrobeats songs ever.
London’s impact, despite being a newer entrant, underscores his exceptional talent and contribution to the evolving landscape of Afrobeats.
TEMPOE
Tempoe embarked on a remarkable journey, initially starting as a statistician and web developer before making a pivotal career shift to pursue music production. His introduction to the music scene involved collaborating with then-producer CKay, crafting songs not only for CKay but also for Blaqbonez. To further refine his production skills, Tempoe took the proactive step of enrolling in the Sarz Academy, where he emerged as one of their foremost prodigies.
Impressively, Tempoe has left an indelible mark by producing some of the biggest songs for the acts he has collaborated with. Noteworthy examples include CKay’s “Love Nwatiti,” Joeboy’s “Alcohol,” Omah Lay’s “Godly and Soso,” and his debut single “Soweto” with Victony. These successes stand as a testament to Tempoe’s Midas touch in music production.
Internationally, Tempoe has expanded his reach by working with renowned artistes such as Jason Derulo. His ability to seamlessly blend his skills with both local and international talents further highlights Tempoe’s versatility and significance in shaping the contemporary music landscape.
P. PRIIME
P. Priime, much like Tempoe, emerged as a product of the Sarz Academy initiative, and his career post the initiative has been equally noteworthy.
His extensive catalog includes contributing to “Anoti” from the Grammy-nominated album “Made in Lagos” and three tracks from the Grammy nominated “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” including “Alone” by Burna Boy, which is also Grammy-nominated. This substantial impact positions him as a prominent young producer in the Afrobeats scene.
P. Priime has collaborated with a diverse array of artistes, showcasing his versatility. His work spans artistes such as Gyakie, Simi, Omah Lay, Wurld, Olamide, Joeboy, Asa, Reekado Banks, and many others. Alongside these collaborations, he has amassed personal accolades and numerous certifications, further solidifying his standing as a producer of significant influence in the music industry.
MAGICSTICKS
Magikstickz rose to prominence following his notable contributions to Kizz Daniel’s “No Bad Songz” and DJ Neptune’s “Nobody,” but his name may not resonate fully until you mention “Tune into the King of Sounds and Blues.”
His pivotal role extends to assisting one of the biggest Afrobeats acts, Asake, in producing the majority of his works. Magikstickz went on to executively produced Adake’s debut EP and album, establishing one of the most successful artiste-producer duos in the industry. This collaboration has been instrumental in Adake’s success.
In addition to his work with Asake, Magikstickz has lent his production skills to several other notable artistes, including Young Jonn, Olamide, Lil Kesh, Mr Eazi, and more.
JULS
It is fitting to conclude the discussion with the veteran Afrobeats producer, Juls. The British-Ghanaian maestro has been a dynamic force in the Afrobeats scene, collaborating with Nigerian, British, and Ghanaian Afrobeats acts. His unique ability to create magic is evident not only in his collaborative works but also in his individual projects, which have stood the test of time as unmatched gems.
In an effort to redefine and reshape Ghana’s influence in the broader Afrobeats narrative, Juls introduced the Ghana-centered Afrobeats series titled “Palmwine Diaries.” This initiative solidifies his position as a pivotal player in the Afrobeats genre, transcending borders and contributing to the evolution of the sound.
Juls’ enduring impact and commitment to showcasing the richness of Ghanaian influence in Afrobeats underscore his significance as a producer.
Amazing
Fine list. What about Obah or Uber (not sure how his name is spelt), his signature is everywhere.
I feel like Andre vibes and prestigeondtrack should be here on the list