– SelahAfrik 5 Gospel Music Producers On Radar 2017
Every year passes and we rave so much about the incredible songs and albums that are released during the course of the year but no one is really talking about the maestros behind that awesome music.
This year, SelahAfrik births its maiden edition to recognize a handful of the Nigerian Gospel music producers. Some of these producers are not restricted to Gospel music but they are responsible for the wave making music that has made the year amazing… In no particular order, here is our list of the 5 Gospel music producers in our radar for the year 2017.
Wole Oni
It’s been a big year for Jazz musician and pianist Wole Oni. He signed on a new artiste, got signed as an ambassador of Yamaha and also moved his ultra modern studio to a better location. With an array of production including ‘Kosobabire’ (Folake Umosen), ‘Olomi’ (Tosin Martins), ‘Igwe’ (Midnight Crew), ‘Hallelujah’ & ‘Ijoba Orun’ (Lara George), the Centenary Theme Song, ‘Mama Peace’ and more, including the production of his 3 amazing singles “Cover Me Lord”; “Igwe” and the Christmas composition “Come Let Us Adore Him” featuring Laurie Idahosa, Wole Oni is definitely navigating his prime. He was recently ranked amongst the world best pianists alongside music production artistes such as 22-time Grammy Award winner Chic Corea,Chuck Leavell; whose piano and keyboard work has been heard on renowned artistes’ works such as the Rolling Stones, John Mayer, Eric Clapton and many more, also vocalist, instrumentalist, songwriter and producer Xantone Blacq.
Wilson Joel
Adding to Wilson Joel’s long list of credit for this year includes Toluwanimee’s ‘Open Up’ and Isabella’s album “Indescribable”. Wilson Joel who is not only the producer of the wave-making song “Alagbara” by Onos but also the writer, showed his multi-faceted abilities this year when he sang at the Voltage War-Ship put together by COZA.
CEO of Doxology Music, songwriter, sound engineer, music director and producer extraordinaire, his production credit include some of the greatest names around the world such as Wanda Baloyi (SA), Lulu Dikana (SA), Lili Feng (China), Chevelle Franklyn (Jamaica), Lite (Canada), Judith Sephuma (SA) and Sinach, Glowreeyah Braimah, Onos, Praiz, Kenny K’ore, amongst others, in Nigeria.
Rotimi Keys
One of the biggest song this year, “Olowogbogboro” by Nathaniel Bassey and Wale Adenuga was produced and written by the prolific Rotimi Keys! The CEO/Creative director of SonG23 Productions, is also the brain behind Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s election theme song “Ambo O”. Also, MTN’s “Life Is Richer” theme song, Konga’s “Happiness Song”, MTN Project Fame Theme Song, Gulder Ultimate Search Theme Music and Jumia Nigeria’s Theme Song (2014).
Rotimi Keys’ work spans across the Gospel. He has worked with artistes such as Yemi Alade, MI, Flavour, Ice Prince, Olamide, Banky W, Dammy Krane,,Chidinma, Simi and more. Rotimi has also worked on projects including artistes such as Tosin Martins, EmmaOhMyGod, Nikki Laoye, Midnight Crew, Pita.
He has put out a couple of recordings of his own and features including “The Worship Companion”, “Simpily Beacause” by Gbenga Akinfenwa featuring Rotimi Keys and Mike Abdul. Also “Kelele” by Yemi Alade.
Mayo MuziQ
When ‘Waymaker’ by Sinach dropped, not many asked about the producer of the song but as it builds momentum to the release of the Waymaker album and the tour that followed, it’s only a matter of time before Mayo MuziQ is associated with its production credit.
But that’s not all there is to the young prolific producer, Ada‘s wavemaking single from the album “Future Now’ contains production credit from the maestro including “Jesus”. Anny’s “Jesus”, amongst others put the singer/producer on our list of top Gospel artiste for the year 2017.
Niyi P
“You are Great” by Steve Crown is one of the biggest songs in the country after it gained a video in 2016. It filtered into 2017, but Niyi P was just getting started, the release of Isabella’s “Hallel” and the subsequent “A New Beginning” album that followed, Niyi P set the bar as one of the high point producers of 2017.
His other prominent works include Toluwanimee’s “Miracle God”, Samsong’s “Turn Me Around” and “Odogwu”. Olubunmi’s “A Now Miracle” amongst others.
After the production of the wave-making “Hallel”, Niyi P who used to work in Samsong’s Boogiedown Studio shifted base from Abuja to Lagos.
