Kel-P

Udoma Peter Kelvin Amba known professionally as Kel-P^[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.

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

Udoma Peter Kelvin Amba comes from Akwa Ibom state but was born and raised in Lagos State.^[8][9]

Career

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

Selected albums produced and songwriting credit

Accolades

References

1. ^ "KEL P". The NATIVE. Retrieved 13 March 2021.^{[dead link]}
2. ^ "Kel-P". www.umusicpub.com. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
3. ^ "Kel-P" (in fr-FR). Universal Music France. 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. ^ "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. Archived from the original on 23 December 2020. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
12. ^ "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". The NET. 2 December 2020. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
14. ^ "Kel P vows to win next year Grammys, after [sic] 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. 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. 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.