Udoma Peter Kelvin Amba popularly known by his trademark It's Kel-P Vibes[1] is a Nigerian record producer, singer and songwriter. He is the founder and the CEO of Bully Entertainment, and is currently signed to Universal Music Publishing France,[2] Universal Music France,[3] and Virgin Music France, with a management deal with Jones Worldwide. He was formerly signed to Aristokrat from 2019 to 2023,[4] and is best known for exclusively producing and co-writing the Grammy nominated world album African Giant[5][6] in 2019.
Kel-P | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Udoma Peter Kelvin Amba |
| Born | Lagos, Nigeria |
| Origin | Nigerian |
| Genres | Afro-Fusion, Afrobeat, Afro pop, Dancehall, Amapiano |
| Occupation(s) | Record producer, songwriter |
| Years active | 2017–present |
| Labels |
|
| Website | itskelpvibes |
He was credited by OkayAfrica, as one of the key figures who have helped take Afrobeats to new heights.[7] In 2021, he co-produced the Grammy winning Best Global Album Mother Nature by Angélique Kidjo, and Grammy nominated album Made in Lagos (Deluxe version) by Wizkid. In 2023, he co-produced the Grammy-nominated album The Age of Pleasure by Janelle Monáe, and co-wrote the Grammy-nominated Best Global Album Timeless by Davido, which earned him, a special recognition from The Recording Academy.
Early life
editUdoma Peter Kelvin Amba was born and raised in Lagos State.[8][9]
Career
editIn 2016, he met with Sarz,[10] which led to Sarz, helping in creating the song[10] he was working on at that point in time. Sarz, also helped him in creating his tag "It's Kel-P Vibes".[10] In 2018, he rose to prominent, following his production on Solid Star's single "Eleganza".[11] He has worked with several artistes including Burna Boy, Rema, Niniola, Diamond Platnumz, and Wizkid. With major hits, "Dangote" by Burna Boy, "Peace of Mind" by Rema, "Jeje" by Diamond Platnumz, "Boda Sodiq" & "Fantasy" by Niniola, and "Ghetto Love" by Wizkid.
In 2020, following the partnership between Universal Music Group subsidiary Universal Music France[12] and The Aristokrat Group, the parent company of Aristokrat Records, Kel-P was signed to Universal Music France with a distribution deal with Caroline France.[12] On 24 November 2020, he was nominated at the 63rd Grammy Awards, via Skip Marley album Higher Place,[13] on the song "Faith".[14] On 23 November 2021, he was nominated at the 64th Grammy Awards, via Wizkid album Made in Lagos (Deluxe version), and won his first Grammy award in the same category "Best Global Music Album" for Angélique Kidjo sixteen studio album Mother Nature.[15] On 20 January 2023, he launched his singing career with the release of "One More Night",[16] through Jones Worldwide, and Virgin Music France division, with its accompanying music video directed by Damian Belden, and Luke Shaw.[17]
On 3 November 2023, Universal Music Publishing Group, division in France renews Kel-P's global publishing deal through Universal Music Publishing France. The music publishing contract was renewed to distribute and market, Kel-P's upcoming extended play Bully Season Vol.2. During the renewal, Kel-P unveiled his recording company, Bully Entertainment, as a joint venture partnership between Kel-P and Shay Jones's Jones Worldwide owning 40% of the company.[18] He also seats as CEO of Bully Entertainment, upon its launching.
Production discography
editSelected albums produced and songwriting credit
edit| Artist | Album | Release date | Certifications | Label | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burna Boy | African Giant[19] | 26 July 2019 | Spaceship / Atlantic / WMG |
| |
| Phyno | Deal with It | 4 September 2019 |
|
Penthauze |
|
| Ashidapo | 4am in Lagos | 13 September 2019 |
|
Aristokrat 360 Limited |
|
| Dadju | Poison ou Antidote | 15 November 2019 |
|
UMG / Polydor Records |
|
| Starboy | Soundman Vol. 1 | 6 December 2019 |
|
Starboy Entertainment |
|
| Wurld | AFROSOUL | 15 May 2020 |
|
We Are Gvds / Immensum Music |
|
| Skip Marley | Higher Place | 28 August 2020 |
|
Island Records |
|
| Niniola | Colours and Sounds | 2 October 2020 |
|
Drumroll Records |
|
| Wizkid | Made in Lagos | 30 October 2020 | Starboy / RCA |
| |
| Angélique Kidjo | Mother Nature | 18 June 2021 |
|
Decca Records |
|
| Seyi Shay | Big Girl | 10 December 2021 |
|
Stargurl Limited / Jones Worldwide |
|
| Kel-P | Bully Season Vol.1 | 24 February 2023 |
|
Jones Worldwide / Virgin Music France / Universal Music France | Executive producer |
| Dreamville | Creed III | 3 March 2023 |
|
Sony Classical Records |
|
| Rema | Rave & Roses | 25 March 2022 | Jonzing World / Mavin Records |
| |
| Davido | Timeless | 21 March 2023 |
|
Davido Music Worldwide / Sony Music / Columbia Records |
|
| Janelle Monáe | The Age of Pleasure | 9 June 2023 |
|
Wondaland / Bad Boy Records / Atlantic Records |
|
Accolades
edit| Year | Awards ceremony | Award description(s) | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | The Headies | Producer of the Year ""Killin Dem" by (Burna Boy)" | Nominated |
| City People Music Award | Music Producer of the Year | Nominated | |
| Soundcity MVP Awards Festival | African Producer of the Year | Nominated | |
| Grammy Awards | Best World Music Album "African Giant" by (Burna Boy)" | Nominated | |
| African Muzik Magazine Awards | Music Producer of The Year[20] | Won | |
| The Beatz Awards[21] | Afro Dancehall Producer of the Year | Won | |
| Producer of the Year | Won | ||
| Afro Beat Producer of the Year | Won | ||
| All Africa Music Awards | Producer of the Year in Africa[22] | Won | |
| 2020 | The Headies | Producer of the Year ""Pull Up" by (Burna Boy)" | Nominated |
| Grammy Awards | Best Reggae Album "Higher Place" by (Skip Marley) | Nominated | |
| 2022 | Grammy Awards | Best Global Music Album "Made In Lagos: Deluxe Edition" by (Wizkid) | Nominated |
| Best Global Music Album "Mother Nature" by (Angélique Kidjo) | Won | ||
| 2023 | The Headies | Producer of the Year "Kpe Paso" by (Wande Coal) | Nominated |
| 2024 | Grammy Awards | Album of the Year "The Age of Pleasure" by (Janelle Monáe) | Nominated |
| Best Global Music Album "Timeless" by (Davido) | Nominated |
References
edit- ^ "KEL P". The NATIVE. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
- ^ "Kel-P". www.umusicpub.com. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
- ^ "Kel-P". Universal Music France (in French). Retrieved 4 November 2021.
- ^ "Meet Kel-P, the Producer behind Burna Boy's Grammy-Nominated Album 'African Giant'". BellaNaija. 21 November 2019. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
- ^ "Behind The Board: Kel P". GRAMMY.com. 27 April 2020. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
- ^ "Grammys 2021: Burna Boy and Wizkid win at music awards". BBC. 14 April 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2021.
- ^ "7 Producers Who Have Helped Take Afrobeats to New Heights". OkayAfrica. 14 September 2020. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
- ^ Chiamaka, Valentine (4 February 2020). "Kel-P Vibes: Afro-Fusion Sound". Cillacritic. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
- ^ "Kel-P Vibes". Young Prophets. 1 May 2019. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
- ^ a b c "Interview: Producer Kel-P On His Rise, Making 'African Giant' & More". OkayAfrica. 9 January 2020. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
- ^ "Meet 'It's Kel-P vibes' the Producer behind Burna Boy's Grammy-Nominated Album 'African Giant'". eastupdates.co.ke. 22 December 2020. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
- ^ a b "Universal Music Group strikes partnership with Nigeria-based Aristokrat Group". Music Business Worldwide. 11 May 2020. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
- ^ ""I'm Winning A Grammy Soon" – Kel P Tells Netng In Exclusive Chat". Nigerian Entertainment Today. 2 December 2020. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
- ^ "Kel P vows to win next year Grammys , after loosing two nominations". Vanguard Nigeria. 16 March 2021. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
- ^ Custodian, Culture (7 April 2022). "Music Producer, Kel-P gets a Grammy certificate for Participating in "Mother Nature"". The Culture Custodian. Retrieved 10 April 2022.
- ^ Ihekire, Chinonso. "Grammy-winning producer Kel-P wears singer hat with One More Night". The Guardian Nigeria News. Saturday Magazine. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
- ^ "New Music + Video: Kel-P – One More Night". BellaNaija. 20 January 2023. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
- ^ "Universal Music Publishing France renews contract with Kel-P". The Guardian Nigeria. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
- ^ "#Beatsmith: Kel P On Producing Burna Boy's 'African Giant'". Zikoko!. 26 November 2019. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
- ^ "Here Are All of the Winners at the 2019 AFRIMMA Awards". OkayAfrica. 28 October 2019. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
- ^ "Thank You BellaNaijarians! We WON at The Beatz Awards 2019 & So Did Kel P Vibes, Johnny Drille | See Full List". BellaNaija. 26 November 2019. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
- ^ "Here's the Full List of AFRIMA Awards 2019 Winners". OkayAfrica. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
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