{{Short description|Nigerian record producer}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2021}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Kel-P | image = Kel-P.jpg | caption = | birth_name = Udoma Peter Kelvin Amba | birth_date = | birth_place = Lagos, Nigeria | origin = Nigerian | genre = Afro-Fusion, Afrobeat, Afro pop, Dancehall, Amapiano | associated_acts = Burna Boy, Solid Star, Sarz, Wizkid, Skip Marley, Rema, Seyi Shay, Angélique Kidjo, Niniola, Dadju, Phyno | occupation = Record producer, songwriter | years_active = 2017–present | label = {{hlist|Bully Entertainment|Universal Music France|Jones Worldwide|Virgin Music France|Universal Music Publishing France}} | website = {{URL|https://itskelpvibes.com/}} }}
'''Udoma Peter Kelvin Amba''' known professionally as '''Kel-P'''<ref>{{cite web |title=KEL P |url=https://thenativemag.com/cover-story/wizmag-kel-p |website=The NATIVE |access-date=13 March 2021 }}{{Dead link|date=October 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref> 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,<ref>{{cite web |title=Kel-P |url=https://www.umusicpub.com/fr/Artists/K/Kel-P.aspx |website=www.umusicpub.com |access-date=4 November 2023}}</ref> Universal Music France,<ref>{{cite web |title=Kel-P |url=https://universalmusic.fr/artistes/33671163703 |website=Universal Music France |access-date=4 November 2021 |language=fr-FR}}</ref> and Virgin Music France, with a management deal with Jones Worldwide. He was formerly signed to Aristokrat from 2019 to 2023,<ref>{{cite web |title=Meet Kel-P, the Producer behind Burna Boy's Grammy-Nominated Album ‘African Giant’ |url=https://www.bellanaija.com/2019/11/meet-kel-p-the-producer-behind-burna-boys-grammy-nominated-album-african-giant/ |website=BellaNaija |access-date=13 March 2021 |date=21 November 2019}}</ref> and is best known for exclusively producing and co-writing the Grammy nominated world album ''African Giant''<ref>{{cite web |title=Behind The Board: Kel P |url=https://www.grammy.com/news/behind-board-catch-afrobeats-hitmaker-kel-p-nigera-talk-music-production |website=GRAMMY.com |access-date=13 March 2021 |language=en |date=27 April 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Grammys 2021: Burna Boy and Wizkid win at music awards |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-56393983 |website=BBC |access-date=15 March 2021 |language=en |date=14 April 2020}}</ref> in 2019.
He was credited by OkayAfrica, as one of the key figures who have helped take Afrobeats to new heights.<ref>{{cite web |title=7 Producers Who Have Helped Take Afrobeats to New Heights |url=https://www.okayafrica.com/7-producers-whove-helped-take-afrobeats-to-new-heights/ |website=OkayAfrica |access-date=13 March 2021 |language=en |date=14 September 2020}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Chiamaka |first1=Valentine |title=Kel-P Vibes: Afro-Fusion Sound |url=http://cillacritic.com/kel-p-vibes-afro-fusion-sound/ |website=Cillacritic |access-date=13 March 2021 |date=4 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Kel-P Vibes |url=http://youngprophets.co.za/kel-p-vibes/ |website=Young Prophets |access-date=13 March 2021 |date=1 May 2019}}</ref>
==Career== In 2016, he met with Sarz,<ref name="OkayAfrica">{{cite web |title=Interview: Producer Kel-P On His Rise, Making 'African Giant' & More |url=https://www.okayafrica.com/nigerian-music-kel-p-producer-african-giant-interview/ |website=OkayAfrica |access-date=13 March 2021 |language=en |date=9 January 2020}}</ref> which led to Sarz, helping in creating the song<ref name="OkayAfrica" /> he was working on at that point in time. Sarz, also helped him in creating his tag "It's Kel-P Vibes".<ref name="OkayAfrica" /> In 2018, he rose to prominent, following his production on Solid Star's single "Eleganza".<ref>{{cite web |title=Meet ‘It's Kel-P vibes’ the Producer behind Burna Boy's Grammy-Nominated Album ‘African Giant’ |url=https://www.eastupdates.co.ke/meet-its-kel-p-vibes-the-producer-behind-burna-boys-grammy-nominated-album-african-giant/ |website=eastupdates.co.ke |access-date=13 March 2021 |date=22 December 2020 |archive-date=23 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201223212822/https://www.eastupdates.co.ke/meet-its-kel-p-vibes-the-producer-behind-burna-boys-grammy-nominated-album-african-giant/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> 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<ref name="Music Business Worldwide">{{cite web |title=Universal Music Group strikes partnership with Nigeria-based Aristokrat Group |url=https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/universal-music-group-strikes-partnership-with-nigeria-based-aristokrat-group/ |website=Music Business Worldwide |access-date=30 March 2021 |date=11 May 2020}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Music Business Worldwide" /> On 24 November 2020, he was nominated at the 63rd Grammy Awards, via Skip Marley album Higher Place,<ref>{{Cite news |title="I'm Winning A Grammy Soon" – Kel P Tells Netng In Exclusive Chat |url=https://thenet.ng/im-winning-a-grammy-soon-african-giant-producer-kel-p-tells-netng-in-exclusive-chat/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|newspaper=The NET|access-date=10 April 2021 |date=2 December 2020}}</ref> on the song "Faith".<ref>{{cite web |title=Kel P vows to win next year Grammys, after {{Sic|loosing|hide=y}} two nominations |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2021/03/kel-p-vows-to-win-next-year-grammys-after-loosing-two-nominations/ |website=Vanguard Nigeria |access-date=10 April 2021 |date=16 March 2021}}</ref> 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''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Custodian |first1=Culture |title=Music Producer, Kel-P gets a Grammy certificate for Participating in "Mother Nature" |url=https://culturecustodian.com/music-producer-kel-p-gets-a-grammy-certificate-for-participating-in-mother-nature/ |website=The Culture Custodian |access-date=10 April 2022 |date=7 April 2022}}</ref> On 20 January 2023, he launched his singing career with the release of "One More Night",<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Ihekire |first1=Chinonso |title=Grammy-winning producer Kel-P wears singer hat with One More Night |url=https://guardian.ng/saturday-magazine/weekend-beats/grammy-winning-producer-kel-p-wears-singer-hat-with-one-more-night/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=1 February 2023}}</ref> through Jones Worldwide, and Virgin Music France division, with its accompanying music video directed by Damian Belden, and Luke Shaw.<ref>{{cite web |title=New Music + Video: Kel-P – One More Night |url=https://www.bellanaija.com/2023/01/kel-p-drops-one-more-night/ |website=BellaNaija |access-date=1 February 2023 |date=20 January 2023}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Universal Music Publishing France renews contract with Kel-P |url=https://guardian.ng/saturday-magazine/universal-music-publishing-france-renews-contract-with-kel-p/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=27 February 2024}}</ref> He also seats as CEO of Bully Entertainment, upon its launching.
==Production discography== ===Selected albums produced and songwriting credit=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1" !Artist !width="150"|Album !Release date !Certifications !Label !Note |- |Burna Boy |African Giant<ref>{{cite web |title=#Beatsmith: Kel P On Producing Burna Boy's 'African Giant' |url=https://www.zikoko.com/pop/beatsmith/beatsmith-kel-p-on-producing-burna-boys-african-giant/ |website=Zikoko! |access-date=13 March 2021 |date=26 November 2019}}</ref> |26 July 2019 | *MC: Gold *NVPI: Gold *IFPI: Gold *BPI : Gold *SNEP : Gold |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 | *SNEP:Diamond |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 | *MC: Gold *NVPI: Gold *IFPI: Gold *BPI : Gold *RIAA : Gold |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 | * MC: Platinum * SNEP: Gold *ZPAV: Gold *IFPI: Platinum |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== {| class="wikitable" |- !Year !width="250"| Awards ceremony !width="450"| Award description(s) !width="75" | Results |- |rowspan="9"|2019 |The Headies |Producer of the Year ""Killin Dem" by (Burna Boy)" |{{nom}} |- |City People Music Award |Music Producer of the Year |{{nom}} |- |Soundcity MVP Awards Festival |African Producer of the Year |{{nom}} |- |Grammy Awards |Best World Music Album "African Giant" by (Burna Boy)" |{{nom}} |- |African Muzik Magazine Awards |Music Producer of The Year<ref>{{cite web |title=Here Are All of the Winners at the 2019 AFRIMMA Awards |url=https://www.okayafrica.com/afrimma-2019-awards-winners-list/ |website=OkayAfrica |access-date=10 April 2021 |language=en |date=28 October 2019}}</ref> |{{won}} |- |rowspan="3"|The Beatz Awards<ref>{{cite web |title=Thank You BellaNaijarians! We WON at The Beatz Awards 2019 & So Did Kel P Vibes, Johnny Drille {{!}} See Full List |url=https://www.bellanaija.com/2019/11/beatz-awards-2019-winners/ |website=BellaNaija |access-date=10 April 2021 |date=26 November 2019}}</ref> |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<ref>{{cite web |title=Here's the Full List of AFRIMA Awards 2019 Winners |url=https://www.okayafrica.com/full-list-of-afrima-awards-2019-winners/ |website=OkayAfrica |access-date=10 April 2021}}</ref> |{{won}} |- |rowspan="2"|2020 |The Headies |Producer of the Year ""Pull Up" by (Burna Boy)" |{{nom}} |- |Grammy Awards |Best Reggae Album "Higher Place" by (Skip Marley) |{{nom}} |- |rowspan="2"|2022 |rowspan="2"|Grammy Awards |Best Global Music Album "Made In Lagos: Deluxe Edition" by (Wizkid) |{{nom}} |- |Best Global Music Album "Mother Nature" by (Angélique Kidjo) |{{won}} |- |2023 |The Headies |Producer of the Year "Kpe Paso" by (Wande Coal) |{{nom}} |- |rowspan="2"|2024 |rowspan="2"|Grammy Awards |Album of the Year "The Age of Pleasure" by (Janelle Monáe) |{{nom}} |- |Best Global Music Album "Timeless" by (Davido) |{{nom}} |}
== References == {{Reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kel-P}} Category:Living people Category:Year of birth missing (living people) Category:Universal Music France artists Category:Nigerian record producers