Nigeria's Beat Makers

In the past, Nigerian producers limited themselves to a genre. But now many of these guys have ears for music and they are very versatile. That is what makes a producer. A producer is not just a beat maker, but one who understands everything about music production. In the last one decade, Nigerian music has been steamrolling many broadcast channels and clubs in various cities on the continent. These Nigerian vibes are full of energy with character that has become new. And a new generation of talented music producers is responsible for this revolution. In fact, they are the ones cooking beats that are fast changing the dance steps across Nigeria and beyond. They are in abundance in the Nigeria’s growing music industry. P.M. Entertainment takes a look at some of these new beat makers that are changing the face of Nigeria’s music industry.

Cobhams Asuquo

On the strength of music hits coming out of his studio, Cobhams Asuquo could easily pass as the hottest and busiest music producer in the country. For versatility and genre-crossing, this visually-impaired beat maker has registered his imprint on works of many great artistes in Nigeria. His resume is intimidating: He produced most songs of Nigerian international star Asa, he did Dare Art Alade’s Fuji and Escalade, Modenine’s Cry, Djinne’s Ego, Faze’s Faze Alone, to mention a few. Cobhams has also done some adverts. One of the most impressive is his remake of Enrique Iglesias’ Hero for MTN’s Life is Beautiful commercial.

Cobhams’s strength is his versatility. There is no genre of song that he cannot produce. From Soul to Acoustic Soul, Pop, soft and hard rock, and even party/dance tracks. He is also a multi-instrumentalist who plays the guitar (acoustic and bass), piano, conga and jazz drums and also sings better than most singers around.

Don Jazzy

Talented music producer Michael Collins better known as Don Jazzy surely understands how to cook a beat. And he has justified this over the years through great songs that he has produced for some of Nigeria’s great talents under his defunct Mo’Hits label- D’Banj, Wande Coal, Dr Sid and D’Prince. Apart from artistes on his label, Don Jazzy has also cooked beats for other stars like Ikechukwu, Naeto C and Tiwa Savage.

He has also worked with some UK established artistes including the JJC and 419 Squad, Jamelia and Lemar. He was recently signed on by American hip-hop music mogul Kanye West’s G.O.O.D Music and has produced songs involving Kanye West, Jay Z and Beyonce.

The multiple award-winning producer who started his professional music career in England more than a decade ago, may be overrated, but his versatility stands him out. Recently, international electronic brand Samsung contracted him to design a sound system for their new Wi-Fi home theatre range launched in South Africa some weeks back.

ID Cabassa

Give it to the boss of Coded Tunes, Idowu Olumide Ogunade better known as I.D. Cabassa. This banker turned music producer is an underrated human music factory. He has worked with several stars and upcoming artistes in the Nigerian music industry and has many hit songs to his credit.

The award winning producer is the brain behind the phenomenal success of some artistes such as 9ice, Lord of Ajasa, Ruggedman, Faze, Durella, Seriki, Plantation Boiz, Jahbless and Olamide to mention a few.

I.D. Cabassa reportedly bounced at the 2008 edition of the Hip-Hop World Awards and the following year, won the Best Producer of the Year diadem of the same awards.

Tee-Y Mix

In the Nigerian music industry, mention Temitayo Ibitoye and you get cold response. But say Tee-Y Mix, many will beckon on you. Many would have listened to such hit songs like Naeto-C’s Kini Big Deal, Dare Art Alade’s Carry Dey Go ft. 2Face, and Sasha’s Adara, but may never have met the dude that produced these songs. That’s the lot of this fast rising music producer.

Early last year, Abuja-based Tee-Y Mix relocated to Lagos to be close to numerous artistes seeking his magic hands. And they have been coming in droves. Tee-Y Mix is also popular as one of the MTN Project Fame judges.

Samklef

Baba God Noni! That’s the lingo popularised by Samuel Oguachuba aka Samklef. This young chap is one of the fastest rising music producers in the land. His profile rose after Empire Mates Entertainment released Wonder Boy, Wizkid’s debut album. Samklef produced 80 percent of the album and four of the tracks have become anthems on the lips of every music lovers. This has helped propel his career thus attracting other artistes to his Ogba, Lagos studio.

J Martins

Not too many music enthusiasts are aware that Justice Okey Martins, popularly known as J Martins, started his music career as a producer. He hit the limelight after co-producing P-Square’s platinum selling Game Over album. And ever since, he has been a force to reckon with in the Nigerian music industry.

J Martins’ dexterity in mixing rhythm and rhyme best explains his continuous rise in the Nigerian music industry. The infusion of highlife into every of his production has made him unique and stands him out among his peers. Proof is the number of international collaboration songs with Fali Ipupa and Cabo Snoop in his own album which he self-produced.

Jesse Jagz

When it comes to music, Chocolate City boy Jesse Jagz understands its rudiments. Blessed with ears for rhythmic beat, the dark-skinned Jos, Plateau State-raised producer has contributed greatly to the success of other Chocolate City boys like Ice Prince, Brymo and M.I. The gifted producer cum songwriter is also one of the good lyricists in the land.

Dr. Frabz

Chubby faced Ayorinde Emmanuel Faboro popularly known as Dr Frabz is one of Nigeria’s fast rising producer that can boast of handling long lasting hits on the music scene. More like an in-house producer for Storm 360, Dr Frabz has laid beat to the music of stars such as Naeto C, Omawumi and Tosin Martins.

Dr Frabz is good at what he does, and his dexterity has caught the attention of corporate organisations like Globacom who engaged the Ido-Ekiti, Ekiti State Prince to work on some jingles and he serves as the music director for the Glo Naija Sings, a music talent hunt sponsored by the telecoms giant.

Flip Tyce

Born Folorunso Busayo Philips, Flip Tyce, is no doubt the rave of the moment among the Nigerian beat makers. Aside producing P Square’s Chop My Money track which features May D and American star, Akon, Flip Tyce has worked with virtually all major Nigerian artistes.

His first major breakthrough came when he produced Danny Young’s hit, Oju Ti Ti Won, and ever since, he has produced hits for other stars such as Faze, Bracket, Terry G, YQ, WizKid and Banky W to mention a few.

J Sleek

J Sleek is one young producer that went straight into the industry and hit it big. This youngster from the bustling artistic community of Festac Town gained reputation as a revivalist when he helped to produce Africa’s hip-hop star 2Face Idibia’s hit Implication. The song was the magnum opus of 2Face’s The Unstoppable international album. With J Sleek’s production, the singer revamped his almost dwindling career. He has moved on to work on other projects for Sound Sultan, Faze, W4 and lately Wande Coal.

Terry Gee

Terry Gee, the Akpako master ain’t crazy! This ace producer cum singer, born Gabriel Amanyi, understands mechanics of beat. Terry G realised early what he wanted to be in the music world as a singer and joined Faze as a backup singer. He later shifted his interest to music production through which he helped discover young talents and discovered some of the most influential tunes and sounds in the industry today.

Ruggedman, 2Shotz, Illbliss, Timaya, Jaywon, Ay.com, Drama and Side One are among the stars who laid down the tracks produced by Terry Gee. As an artiste’s producer, the Benue State-born beatmaster allows young singers like him to play around in the studio and finally arriving at their best take.

— Funsho Arogundade