Who is a Music Producer? A music producer, or record producer, assists an artist with their recording project, bringing their vision to fruition and guiding their sound along the way.
Producers have added a massive amount of value to the quality of music that we enjoy in Nigerian music today. One of the reasons many of us love the current Nigerian music is due to the quality of work the producer puts into making beats and coming up with the vision or sound of the HIT song that we love so much. Once this sound is created, the producer then hands it to the Artist or assists the artists as they deliver their lyrics over the naked instrumental.There are many career opportunities available to talented and skilled Music Producers. To learn what it’s really like to work with artists in the studio, we spoke to several Music Producers working in a variety of genres and locales.
The average salary for music producers is $32,379 per year . Some producers also earn a percentage of albums’ revenue in addition to their base salary. Salaries vary based on education, experience and location. Producers can earn higher salaries if they work with more musicians as well.
Without further ado let’s take a look at the top 10 richest/successful music producer in Nigeria 2022.
1. Kel P
Udoma Peter Kelvin professionally known as Kel P Vibes is a Nigerian record producer, singer and songwriter. He is best known for Grammy nominated world album African Giant in 2019. He is currently signed to Aristokrat Records and Universal Music France, with a management deal with Jones Worldwide. Kel P was credited by OkayAfrica, as one of the key figure who have helped take Afrobeats to new heights. In 2021, he co-produced the Grammy award winning Best Global Music Album Mother Nature by Angélique Kidjo, and Grammy nominated album Made in Lagos by Wizkid.
2. KillerTunes
Daniel Otaniye professionally known as Killertunes, is one of the hottest record producers the Nigerian music industry has ever produced.He has produced songs for the top artists in Nigeria, like Wizkid, Phyno, Mr Eazi, Skales, Kizz Daniel, and many more. He has won couple of awards to his belt and has been recognized by some of the biggest in the country. Killertunes has won The Headies Award for Producer of the Year.He has got numerous nominations such as City People Music Award for Music Producer of the Year, Nigeria.
3. Sarz
Osaretin Osabuohien professionally known as sarz, is a Nigerian beatmaker and musician whose passion for music began when he was a youngster, influenced by late-90s American hip-hop artists.He sold his first beat when he was fifteen years old, and after creating “See Drama” for Nigerian rap pioneer Lord of Ajasa in 2007, he was launched into the public. ‘Beats By Sarz’ is in great demand due to his production credentials on several songs by contemporary Nigerian performers such as eLDee and Reminisce.In April 2020, Sarz and Shizzi decided to go live on Instagram for a face off tittled “The Battle of Hits” on 30 March 2020 which attracted a peak of 19.2k live viewers across the world.
4. Masterkraft
Masterkraft whose real name is Sunday Ginikachukwu Nweke, is an award winning Nigerian music producer, songwriter, disc jockey and pianist born and raised in Ajegunle area of Lagos State. He attended United Christian Secondary School in Apapa and dreamt of being an accountant.
Masterkraft is one of the best Disc jockeys and music producer in Nigeria. His production hits include “Fine lady” by Lynxxx featuring Wizkid, “Kwarikwa (Remix)” by Flavour N’abania featuring Fally Ipupa, “Girl” by Bracket featuring Wizkid, “Chinny Baby” by Flavour N’abania, and “Jasi” by Banky W.
5. Legendury beatz
Legendury Beatz is a Nigerian record producing and songwriting duo, composed of siblings Uzezi Oniko and Okiemute Oniko. Their production style is deeply rooted in afrobeats as well as in several other genres, including hip hop, reggae fusion, moombahton and electro house. He is also a mix engineer, remixer and disc jockey. Legendury Beatz and Wizkid’s production catalog include songs like “Ginger”, “Caro”, “Talk”, “Eledumare”, “Number One Lover”, Won Gbo Mi”, “Juru” and “Emi Ni Baller” (Remix).
Legendury Beatz was signed to Wizkid’s Starboy Entertainment.Legendury Beatz and Simi collaborated on “Ayo”, the third single from her third studio album Omo Charlie Champagne.
6. Pheelz
Phillip Kayode Moses professionally known as Pheelz, is a Nigerian record producer, singer and songwriter who has worked with several artists and musicians, such as Olamide and Tiwa Savage. He was Born and raised in Lagos, Pheelz is credited to have produced all but one song on Olamide’s Baddest Guy Ever Liveth album. In 2022, he had a hit with his song “Finesse”, a collaboration with Bnxn (formerly known as Buju).
On 15 March 2022, he signed a record deal with Warner UK, shortly after his single “Finesse” became an international success, and earned him, his first career entry on the Billboard Global 200 at number 131, the TurnTable Top 50 at number 1, World Digital Song Sales at number 10, UK Afrobeats Singles Chart at number 1, and the UK Singles Chart at number 52.
7. Spellz
Benjamin Obadje also known as Spellz is a Nigerian recording producer. He has produced for artists including Chuddy K, 9ice, Banky W., D’Prince, Davido, Tiwa Savage, Dammy Krane. His production hits include “Gaga Crazy” by Chuddy K, “My Dear” by Dammy Krane, “Check and Balance” by Burna Boy, “Mummy Mi” by Wizkid, “How Long” by Davido, and “Keys to the City” by Tiwa Savage.
He is currently signed to 323 Entertainment.He attended Federal Government College, Idoani in Ondo State and then studied Computer science at Covenant University. He left the University after three years because of his love for music.
8.Niphkeys
Adebanjo also known as NIPHKEYS is a Nigerian record producer and sound engineer best known for producing the hit single Koleyewon by Naira Marley and also Kilofeshe by Zinoleesky in 2020.Niphkeys started his career as a music producer in the year, 2015. According to him, be has been recording and producing beat right from his school days, during those days he also use to record songs for his friends.
Niphkeys has worked with numerous top artists which include the likes of Zlatan, Buju, Naira Marley, Fave, Lyta, Emo Grae, Seyi Vibez and so many others.
9.P2J
Richard Olowaranti , professionally known as P2J is a Nigerian-British producer from London, England. He is best known for his work with the likes of Beyoncé, Wizkid, Stormzy, FKA Twigs, Burna Boy, Tems, Doja Cat & many more. P2J started to solidify his production career at age 14, when an instructor recommended he transfer to music courses. His career kick started in 2007 on the television show, Channel U under the name P2J Project with the Grime song “Hands in the Air”.
In 2022, he produced for FKA Twigs on the song “Jealousy” from her mixtape Caprisongs. He has also produced 5 songs on Young T & Bugsey’s mixtape Truth Be Told and “Fallen Angel” on Ella Mai’s latest album “Heart on my Sleeve”.
10.Rexxie
Ezeh Chisom Faith, professionally known as Rexxie Also known for the tag, is a Nigerian record producer, DJ and songwriter. He is popular for creating the Zanku sound, and producing Naira Marley’s Soapy, Tesumole and the monster hit KPK with Mohbad.
Rexxie has produced Nigerian music for the likes of Zlatan Ibile, Naira Marley, Davido, and Burna Boy. Rexxie released studio album A True Champion in June 28, which features artists like Zlatan, Davido, Naira Marley, Zinoleesky, Mohbad, Sarkodie, Peruzzi.
