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 nameUdoma Peter Kelvin Amba
BornLagos, Nigeria
OriginNigerian
GenresAfro-Fusion, Afrobeat, Afro pop, Dancehall, Amapiano
Occupation(s)Record producer, songwriter
Years active2017–present
Labels
  • Bully Entertainment
  • Universal Music France
  • Jones Worldwide
  • Virgin Music France
  • Universal Music Publishing France
Websiteitskelpvibes.com

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

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Udoma Peter Kelvin Amba was born and raised in Lagos State.[8][9]

Career

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In 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

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Selected albums produced and songwriting credit

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Artist Album Release date Certifications Label Note
Burna Boy African Giant[19] 26 July 2019 Spaceship / Atlantic / WMG
  • Primary producer
  • Co-writer
Phyno Deal with It 4 September 2019
Penthauze
  • Produced 2 songs
Ashidapo 4am in Lagos 13 September 2019
Aristokrat 360 Limited
  • Co-produced
Dadju Poison ou Antidote 15 November 2019 UMG / Polydor Records
  • Produced 2 songs
Starboy Soundman Vol. 1 6 December 2019
Starboy Entertainment
  • Produced 3 songs
Wurld AFROSOUL 15 May 2020
We Are Gvds / Immensum Music
  • Produced 1 song
Skip Marley Higher Place 28 August 2020
Island Records
  • Co-produced
Niniola Colours and Sounds 2 October 2020
Drumroll Records
  • Produced 3 songs
Wizkid Made in Lagos 30 October 2020 Starboy / RCA
  • Produced 1 song
Angélique Kidjo Mother Nature 18 June 2021
Decca Records
  • Co-produced
Seyi Shay Big Girl 10 December 2021
Stargurl Limited / Jones Worldwide
  • Co-executive producer
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
  • Produced 2 songs
Rema Rave & Roses 25 March 2022 Jonzing World / Mavin Records
  • Produced 1 song
Davido Timeless 21 March 2023
Davido Music Worldwide / Sony Music / Columbia Records
  • Co-wrote 1 song
Janelle Monáe The Age of Pleasure 9 June 2023
Wondaland / Bad Boy Records / Atlantic Records
  • Co-produced 1 song

Accolades

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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

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  1. ^ "KEL P". The NATIVE. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
  2. ^ "Kel-P". www.umusicpub.com. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  3. ^ "Kel-P". Universal Music France (in French). Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  4. ^ "Meet Kel-P, the Producer behind Burna Boy's Grammy-Nominated Album 'African Giant'". BellaNaija. 21 November 2019. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
  5. ^ "Behind The Board: Kel P". GRAMMY.com. 27 April 2020. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
  6. ^ "Grammys 2021: Burna Boy and Wizkid win at music awards". BBC. 14 April 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2021.
  7. ^ "7 Producers Who Have Helped Take Afrobeats to New Heights". OkayAfrica. 14 September 2020. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
  8. ^ Chiamaka, Valentine (4 February 2020). "Kel-P Vibes: Afro-Fusion Sound". Cillacritic. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
  9. ^ "Kel-P Vibes". Young Prophets. 1 May 2019. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
  10. ^ a b c "Interview: Producer Kel-P On His Rise, Making 'African Giant' & More". OkayAfrica. 9 January 2020. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
  11. ^ "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.
  12. ^ a b "Universal Music Group strikes partnership with Nigeria-based Aristokrat Group". Music Business Worldwide. 11 May 2020. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
  13. ^ ""I'm Winning A Grammy Soon" – Kel P Tells Netng In Exclusive Chat". Nigerian Entertainment Today. 2 December 2020. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
  14. ^ "Kel P vows to win next year Grammys , after loosing two nominations". Vanguard Nigeria. 16 March 2021. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
  15. ^ 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.
  16. ^ Ihekire, Chinonso. "Grammy-winning producer Kel-P wears singer hat with One More Night". The Guardian Nigeria News. Saturday Magazine. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
  17. ^ "New Music + Video: Kel-P – One More Night". BellaNaija. 20 January 2023. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
  18. ^ "Universal Music Publishing France renews contract with Kel-P". The Guardian Nigeria. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
  19. ^ "#Beatsmith: Kel P On Producing Burna Boy's 'African Giant'". Zikoko!. 26 November 2019. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
  20. ^ "Here Are All of the Winners at the 2019 AFRIMMA Awards". OkayAfrica. 28 October 2019. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
  21. ^ "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.
  22. ^ "Here's the Full List of AFRIMA Awards 2019 Winners". OkayAfrica. Retrieved 10 April 2021.