The dominance of the producers, who led Afropop’s frontline as much as any of its biggest recording artists, has been the one constant in the popular Afrobeats music wave over the past 20 years of the 21st century. Some excellent producers have undoubtedly existed, as they may have also frequently blended into the background as only a name in the credits on the back cover.
Nonetheless, Afrobeats producers have frequently turned into the main act in the 2000s and beyond, defining entire phases of hit songs while consistently becoming recognized personalities in their capacity. Read on as we highlight – in detail – the greatest producers of the 21st century.
Don Jazzy
Don Jazzy has a long list of successes and many accolades for music creation. Remarkably, the magnificent producer has helped several songs exist over the last 20 years. Here are some noteworthy artists and remarkable works he has been associated with;
Dbanj
Dbanj and Don Jazzy worked amicably to produce many hits that rocked the Nigerian music scene before their big Mo’Hits Record split. Some of these top hits are Suddenly, Why Me, Tongolo, Fall in Love, Mo Gbono Feli Feli, Scape Goat, Kimon, Olorun Maje, Mr. Endowed, and Oliver Twist – probably the biggest hit song in their catalogue – amongst so many others.
Wande Coal
Wande Coal is also another bright singer who enjoyed Don Jazzy’s elite production skills under the coverage of Mo’Hits Record (and even Mavins Records before he left). See some brilliant songs they created together: Ololufe, Taboo, Go Low, Ten-Ten, Se Na Like This, That’s Wots Up, Rotate, You Bad, Bumper 2 Bumper (probably the defining hit song in Wande Coal’s career), The Kick, and many others.
D’Prince
Another famous act, D’Prince, also enjoyed production collaborations with the iconic Afrobeats producer, Don Jazzy – who is his brother. D’Prince, now the boss of Jonzing Records, was also well affiliated with the producer under the then Mo’hits Records. They still enjoy a good relationship and affiliation. Nonetheless, let’s mention some notable songs they worked on together: Oga Titus, Take Banana, Jonzing World, Bestie, Gucci Gang, Goodie Bag, etc.
Tiwa Savage
The stunning singer Tiwa Savage is another top artist who worked well with Don Jazzy under Mavin Records as they curated some amazing songs. See some beautiful songs they brilliantly worked on together: Without My Heart, My Darlin, Oh Yeah, Eminado – probably the biggest song they worked on together – and he also primarily produced her “R.E.D” album.
Korede Bello
Korede Bello is a bright young act on the list of elite musicians who enjoyed Don Jazzy’s production skills, and he is also considered one of the most successful talents Mavin Records signed. Here are some of the popular songs Don Jazzy produced for Korede Bello: Do Like That, Dorobucci (not exclusive, but Korede Bello had a hit verse off the song), God Win – arguably his biggest song to date – and Mungo Park.
Juls
Juls is a British-Ghanaian record producer, DJ, and musician who is regarded and famous for being one of the pioneering creators and producers of African music in the international community. One of the most prolific producers of our day and renowned for his wide variety of beats, Juls has made a name for himself as a leading act in the global music scene due to the wave of African influence. The Afrobeats producer, Juls, is popular for working with some of the biggest talents in Africa, see some here;
Mr Eazi
The famous Afrobeats singer, Mr Eazi, maybe the first act that comes to mind when you hear of Juls’ production credits. Remember that hit song that Mr.Eazi blew off with? Skin Tight! When you reminisce about it, we know you recognize the “Juls Baby” iconic tag. The hit song Skin Tight by Mr. Eazi (produced by Juls) may have been the defining moment in both musicians’ careers.
Wizkid
Wizkid, also called Starboy, is another big act Juls has expertly provided his production services. The Grammy-nominated album, Made in Lagos Deluxe, featured a collaboration with Afrobeats producer Juls. The standout song, “True Love“, produced by Juls and features Tay Iwar and Projexx, acts as an important moment as the album progresses. Wizkid takes us away for a late-night love affair with his crooning over luscious bass lines, conjuring images of two lovers slow whining to enticing saxophone instrumentals.
Burna Boy
Burna Boy of Nigeria and UK-Ghanaian hitmaker Juls collaborated on the incredibly smooth tune “Gwarn“. Burna delivers the song with excellent timing, the dancehall-influenced beat plays like butter, and the song is perfect. July released a clever animated music video for the song “Gwarn”, which features Burna Boy and is a bit chiller than his regular sound. Gully Bop, a popular Jamaican singer, provided the song’s catchy “pussy specialist” hook.
BNXN fka Buju
Another famous act to enjoy a production service from Juls is Nigerian superstar BNXN fka Buju. A notable track of such is “Many Ways”, where BNXN collaborates with Nigerian sensation Wizkid on the Afropop tune which Juls expertly delivers. The Juls-produced song comes from his latest album, “Bad Since ’97”, which is a follow-up to his EP “Sorry I’m Late”.
King Promise
Iconic Ghanaian singer King Promise has also enjoyed an amazing collaboration with the legendary producer Juls. They both worked together on the song titled “Your Number”. Jules collaborates on the hit song “Your Number” with the outstanding singer King Promise and Mugeez of R2Bees.
Other remarkable and notable acts Juls have been associated with their works are Stormzy, Fireboy, Nonso Amadi, Tay Iwar, etc.
Sarz
Sarz is a music producer, mixing engineer, and musician from Nigeria. He is famous for including the tag – Sarz On The Beat/” Really” – at the start or finish of every one of his musical creations. Notably, Sarz produced Lord of Ajasa’s “See Drama” for the first time with full credit in 2007. Wizkid, Naeto C, Banky W, Skales, Shank, Reminisce, Goldie Harvey, eLDee, Wande Coal, YQ, Lojay, and Niniola are among the artists he has produced music for. Let’s check out a few of his remarkable and defining associations with top artists in the music industry;
Da Grin
Over the years, Sarz has proven to be a producer with extensive reach. He helped the late rapper establish a place in mainstream music with the song “Kondo” – a highlight single on his critically praised sophomore album, C.E.O. In his day, Dagrin may have appealed more to a specific demographic; nonetheless, he was rated and respected nationwide. Sarz’s Kondo established the standard for years of bass-driven Hip-hop leaning instrumentals, perfectly complementing Dagrin’s autotuned vocals with strong bass and echoing synths.
Reminisce
Sarz does possess the ears for sounds that elevate otherwise geographically confined artists. His work with Dagrin is evidence of this, and his work with Reminisce, another street rapper, is equally convincing. Sarz’s synth cadence on Kako Bi Chicken, which can be compared to a sonic messiah, can be regarded as the catalyst that ignited Reminisce’s career, along with the rapper’s head-bobbing rhymes.
Wizkid
Another big act that Sarz has worked with and probably the association that solidified his throne in the music industry may be the one with Wizkid. One of the most appropriate song titles to come out of 2012, the year the song was released, would be ‘Beat Of Life ‘to Sarz and Wizkid’s Samba. When Sarz produced Samba, Wizkid was known and admired for his freestyle mode, which wasn’t quite bass-heavy. This song showed us a more adventurous side of Wizkid and gave the pair’s collaboration a seal of approval and desirability.
Wurld
Wurld is a skilled performer at expressing love via song; he creates words like paintings. He admirably complements Sarz’s interminable sonic fields of various attractions. It is the well-known 8-track album I Love Girls With Trobul, a subtly poetic tribute to the allure of unhappy relationships. For his part, Sarz explores many eras and genres for a well-rounded production.
Ninola
Partnerships with Sarz go beyond economic ties. He frequently forms relationships with artists with whom he clicks. One of this phenomenon’s highlights is his relationship with Niniola and his adventure with Wurld on I Love Girls With Trobul. Sicker is a worthy inclusion in this groundbreaking story, with harmonies following each other and simulated lures filling the space between each chord. With the self-dubbed “Queen of Afro-House,” he created a sound that fuses the brisk House music of South Africa and the Afrobeat music of Nigeria.
London
Michael Ovie Hunter, better known by his stage name London, is a Nigerian-British Platinum record producer and DJ born on October 21, 1999. He has created music for Selena Gomez, Chris Brown, Rema, Crayon, Ayra Starr, Wizkid, 6lack, Yseult, and Ladipoe. After signing a contract with Blowtime Entertainment in 2019, he became famous. Sony Music Publishing France and Bluesky Music Publishing have a publishing agreement with him. Let’s check out some of his biggest hits produced;
Wizkid
One of London’s biggest feats as a producer should be co-producing Wizkid’s album, Made In Lagos. The song “Gyrate”, from the Grammy-nominated album Made in Lagos by Wizkid, was expertly done and produced by the young producer, London. Notably, they had both worked on “Electric” on the “SoundMan Vol. 1” EP by Wizkid.
Rema
Calm Down by Rema, the second Nigerian song to top the India IMI International chart and reach the third spot on the Billboard Hot 100, has been praised for being produced in London. London produced 14 of the album’s 16 songs while serving as executive producer for Rema’s first studio album, Rave & Roses.
Tiwa Savage
Tiwa Savage is yet another elite Afrobeats musician with the iconic producer, London, magical production skills all over her melodious tune. The special song they worked on together is “Koroba”. “Koroba”, majestically delivered by Tiwa Savage, served as another hit at release time! Known for her magnificence and hit records, this time Tiwa Savage teamed up with producer London to provide this beautiful song.
Ayra Starr
London’s burgeoning resume includes collaborations with Wizkid, Tiwa Savage, Rema, and even Ayra Starr. The young producer appeared to be just getting started as he worked on three songs from Ayra Starr’s debut album, 19 & Dangerous, including “Bloody Samaritan,” “Fashion Killa,” and “Snitch.” All of the songs showcase his production skills.
Crayon
Another brilliant act London has worked with to release a piece of thrilling music is Mavin star Crayon. Remember Crayon’s banging hit song in 2022? On Code! Yeah, right. London explicitly produced the exciting song by Crayon. The two musicians perfectly complemented each other as London provided a beautiful Afrobeats rhythm that Crayon sang melodiously to.
Telz
Telz is a record producer and composer from Nigeria. He started his recording career in 2011 and put out a couple of singles in 2014 and 2015. Telz is also recognized for using the popular sound brand “Funkula”, popular in the Nigerian mainstream music business. Let’s check out some of his amazing collaborations in the music scene.
Burna Boy
Telz served as the primary Producer, and P Diddy as the executive Producer of Burna Boy’s Twice As Tall album in 2020. The album also included works from Timbaland, which went on to win the 63rd Grammy Awards for Best Global Music Album.
Patoranking
Telz is also known for producing remarkable songs for Patoranking’s delightful creativity. A Nigerian record producer primarily produced the commercially successful hit song “Abule” by Patoranking in 2020.
Other remarkable artists whom Telz has been credited with production services on their songs are Mayorkun, Wurld, Laycon, Nissi Fireboy, Blaqbonez, Lojay, etc.
Tempoe
Tempoe, a Nigerian record producer, DJ, and songwriter, is considered one of the leading producers in Nigeria’s developing wave of diversified Afrobeats music. Notably, Tempoe is popularly known for the tag “MÄD!”. We can confidently assert that the future of Afrobeat music creation is secure thanks to talents like Tempoe. Tempoe met then-afro beats producer CKay by chance while learning the fundamentals of music production using the Fruity Loops app and creating songs for free. This encounter led to Tempoe producing CKay’s debut official single, “Nkechi Turnup,” in 2016. He continued to make music, including the Chocolate City-signed artists CKay’s Container and Blaqbonez’s Play. He enrolled at Sarz’s Production Academy to hone his production talents. Let’s check out some of the iconic productions by Tempoe;
Ckay
Notably, one of the biggest Nigerian songs ever produced, the afro-fusion track Love Nwantiti, was produced by Tempoe and performed by CKay in 2019. The song has received double platinum certification in the U.S. and the Netherlands and platinum certification in France and the U.K.
Omah Lay
In November 2020, Tempoe and vocalist Omah Lay collaborated to create the hit tune, Godly, which amassed over 100 million cumulative streams across all music-sharing platforms and peaked at positions 5 and 15 in the top 100 tracks on iTunes for Ghana and Kenya, respectively. Tempoe still went on to produce quite several hit songs for the Nigerian superstar Omah Lay. We are certain you are familiar with the “MAD!” tag when you think about it now.
Joeboy
From Joeboy’s debut album Somewhere Between Beauty & Magic, Tempoe also created the song “Alcohol” and “Door”, which achieved 50 million streams in the first four weeks of its release.
Victony
His first official release as a performing artist was the lead track from Victony’s Outlaw EP, Soweto, which he produced and performed in. In October 2022, Tempoe released the video for Soweto. Jyde Ajala directed the video, which received over 8 million YouTube views in just four weeks. The song was listed as the fifteenth best Afropop song of 2022 in Rolling Stone magazine.
After signing a publishing agreement with American indie record label APG in 2022, Tempoe was chosen to co-write and produce Robinson and Jason Derulo’s song Ayo Girl, featuring Rema, another Nigerian afrobeat artist. Other notable Afrobeats artist that Tempoe has worked with includes Wurld, Zlatan, Blaqbonez, Reminisce, Teni, Bad Boy Timz, Mayorkun, etc.
Masterkraft
Record producer, DJ, band leader, pianist, and songwriter Masterkraft is from Nigeria. His professional music career began with Kennis Music. Remarkably, Masterkraft ranked number eight on Leadership newspaper’s 2014 ranking of the Top 10 Music Producers in Nigeria. On its list of the Top 7 Biggest Music Producers in Nigeria Right Now, published in August 2015, Nigeria Entertainment Today rated him seventh. He was also listed as one of the Top 10 Music Producers in Nigeria by the Thisday newspaper. Let’s see some of Masterkraft’s notable collaborations;
Adekunle Gold
Adekunle Gold, a recording artist from Nigeria, released his debut studio album, Gold, on July 28, 2016, through YBNL Nation. Masterkraft has been credited as one of the primary producers of the album that peaked at position #7 on Billboard’s World Album Charts for the week ending August 13, 2016. The 2017 Nigeria Entertainment Awards’ Album of the Year category also included Gold. At The Headies 2018, it was also a contender for Album of the Year and Best R&B/Pop Album.
Flavour
Nigerian musician Flavour’s third studio album is titled Blessed. On October 18, 2012, 2nite Entertainment published it. Wizboyy and Fally Ipupa make cameo appearances on the album. Masterkraft handled its production while collaborating with a few other producers on the album.
Notably, one of his most recent biggest hits has to be “Hallelu”, where he featured superstars Zlatan & Bella Shmurda on the iconic Afrobeats hit.
Remarkably, Masterkraft has collaborated with a variety of musicians over the years, including Flavour N’abania, Bracket, Banky W., Sound Sultan, Timaya, Lynxxx, M.I., J. Martins, Wizkid, Phyno, Kizz Daniel, Tekno, 2face, Yemi Alade, Adekunle Gold, Bella Shmurda, Zlatan Mayorkun, Mr Eazi, Vector, etc.
Pheelz
Nigerian singer-songwriter-record producer Pheelz has remarkably collaborated with several singers and acts, including Davido, Usher, Olamide, Wizkid, Fireboy DML, Wale Turner, Teni, Vector, Adekunle Gold, Tiwa Savage, etc. Remarkably, Pheelz was included in NotJustOk’s list of the “Top 10 Hottest Producers in Nigeria” in 2013. He produced all but one track on Olamide’s Baddest Guy Ever Liveth album. This approach helped him advance in the Nigerian music scene and earned him a nomination for The Headies in 2013. He received nominations in 2014 for the Nigeria Entertainment Awards and The Headies in the Producer of the Year category. At the 2020 The Headies Awards, Pheelz was nominated for and won the “Producer of the Year” award. Let’s see some notable works and artists Pheelz has worked with;
Olamide
Olamide enjoyed Pheelz’s explicit production services the most as the former YBNL record producer created some amazing tunes for the Nigerian rapper and songwriter alongside some label mates. On Olamide’s Baddest Guy Ever Liveth album, all but one song is credited to Pheelz as the Producer. Notably, Pheelz’s career as a music producer took off in 2012 when he worked on Olamide’s chart-topping singles “First of All” and “Fucking with the Devil” from his YBNL album.
Lil Kesh
While he was part of the elite YBNL Records, Lil Kesh also enjoyed the special talents of Pheelz productions. His admirable hit song, Shoki, which introduced him to the Nigerian music scene, is credited to Pheelz as the Producer.
Later, Pheelz produced well-known songs and albums like The Chairman by M.I., Ghetto University by Runtown, and Seyi or Shay by Seyi Shay, for which he was credited. Pheelz and COPILOT Music and Sound worked together 2014 to create a cover of Carlinhos Brown’s “Maria Caipirnha (Samba da Bahia)”. For Visa’s “Samba of the World” digital ad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, the arrangement represented Nigeria’s musical instruments and styles.
Shortly after, his single “Finesse” achieved international success and earned him his first career entry on the Billboard Global 200 at number 131, the TurnTable Top 50 at number 1, the World Digital Song Sales at number 10, the UK Afrobeats Singles Chart at number 1, and the U.K. Singles Chart at number 52, he signed a record deal with Warner UK on March 15, 2022.
Young Jonn
Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record producer Young Jonn is now associated with Chocolate City Music. His top singles, Dada and the remix with Davido, are also well known. He was a member of the YBNL mafia family and had music production credits on popular 2010s songs. He later rose to #3 on The NET’s list of “Nigeria’s Top 7 Biggest Music Producers” and received nominations for “Producer of The Year” at the 2015 Nigeria Entertainment Awards and The Headies.
Olamide
Olamide originally mentored producers like Young Jonn and Pheelz, and like the other musicians signed to the company, they have achieved great success. Young Jonn is currently one of the most popular musicians in Nigeria. He was known as “Young Jonn the Wicked Producer” – the mind behind some of Olamide’s biggest songs- before he made the 360-degree pivot, though. Young Jonn produced some of Olamide’s biggest hit songs such as Bobo (His work on Olamide’s critically acclaimed song “Bobo” earned him a nomination for “Producer of The Year” at the 2015 The Headies), Story for the Gods, Wo!, Science Student, Pepper Dem Gang, Falila Ketan, amongst so many others.
Lil Kesh
With the luxury of being a part of YBNL’s famous feat and run of hits, Lil Kesh also enjoyed some of the remarkable productions by Young Jonn. Jonn produced songs like “Gbese” and “Efejoku” by Lil Kesh.
Young Jonn has been credited with working with other notable acts, including Kiss Daniel, Flavour, Davido, Davolee, and himself, as he has become a worthy performing artist. Notably, with the release of “Dada” from his first extended play, Love Is Not Enough (Vol. 1), on April 1, 2022, Young Jonn signed a deal with Chocolate City in 2022. Young Jonn published “Love is Not Enough” (Vol. 2) on October 21, 2022.
Kel P
Record producer, singer, and songwriter Kelp P is from Nigeria and is best known for his signature It’s Kel-P Vibes. He met Sarz in 2016, and as a result, Sarz assisted in the composition of the song he was working on at the time. Sarz assisted him in coming up with the phrase “It’s Kel-P Vibes” as well. After contributing to the single “Eleganza” by Solid Star, he became well-known in 2018. He has collaborated with several musicians, including Wizkid, Diamond Platnumz, Burna Boy, Rema, and Niniola.
Following an alliance between The Aristokrat Group, the parent company of Aristokrat Records, and Universal Music France, a Universal Music Group division, Kel-P signed with Universal Music France in 2020 and entered into a distribution agreement with Caroline France. According to OkayAfrica, Kel-P is one of the crucial figures who helped elevate Afrobeats. He collaborated on the production of Wizkid’s Made in Lagos (Deluxe version), nominated for a Grammy, and Angélique Kidjo’s Mother Nature, won the Grammy for Best Global Music Album.
Burna Boy
With his association with Aristokrat Records, you’d expect to see Burna Boy on his list of applaudable records. Kel P is credited for producing Burna Boy’s hit single, Dangote, and also primarily producing his Grammy-nominated album, African Giant – which fired Burna Boy into his unrelenting glory.
Wizkid
Soon after his work with Burna Boy, Kel-P moved on to work with Wizkid on “Ease Your Mind” and “Mine” from the most recent SoundMan Vol. 1EP smoothly incorporates more diverse musical influences, including jazz and reggae. At the same time, Kel P is also credited on SoundMan Vol. 1. E.P. by Starboy – WIzkid – where he produced three songs for the project. The Nigerian Producer also collaborated with Wizkid on the Grammy-nominated album Made in Lagos Deluxe, as he was enlisted among the producers as he helped curate the tune of “Ginger”.
Angélique Kidjo
In the same category, “Best Global Music Album”, Kel P also received his first Grammy for Angélique Kidjo’s sixteenth studio album, Mother Nature, as he was honoured for co-producing the high-flying album by the iconic musician.
Other remarkable and famous acts Kelp P has been suitable to work with include; Buju, Oxlade, Black Sherif, Wande Coal, Adekunle Gold, Mr Eazi, Seyi Shay, Diamond Plantinumz, and Fireboy.
