KDDO
KDDO, born Ayoola Oladapo Agboola in Lagos, Nigeria, is a multi-platinum award-winning record producer, songwriter, DJ, and recording artist specializing in Afrobeats and its fusions with hip-hop, R&B, house, and pop.[1][2] Formerly known as Kiddominant, he rose to international prominence as the first Nigerian producer to achieve platinum certification from the Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA) and for crafting global hits that blend African rhythms like Afropop, Fuji, and amapiano with Western influences.[1][3] Now based in Los Angeles, KDDO has produced standout tracks such as Davido's "Fall" (2017), which became the longest-charting Nigerian song on the Billboard World Digital Song Sales chart at the time and the first Nigerian music video to reach 100 million YouTube views, as well as Wizkid's "Alright," AKA's "Fela in Versace," and Mayorkun's "Mama."[2][1] He co-wrote and produced Chris Brown's "Under the Influence" (2019), which became a sleeper hit peaking at number one on the Billboard Rhythmic Airplay chart in 2023 and number 12 on the Hot 100, and certified five-times platinum by the RIAA as of November 2024.[3][4][5] As an artist, KDDO released his debut EP Too Late Too Lit in 2021, featuring collaborations with Davido, Jidenna, and Mayorkun, showcasing his transition from behind-the-scenes producer to performer.[2] Beyond music, he serves as creative director and brand ambassador for Star Lager Beer, holding an equity stake in its U.S. operations, and has influenced the mainstream adoption of Afrobeats in the United States through over a decade of hitmaking.[2][1]Early life and education
Childhood and upbringing
Ayoola Oladapo Agboola, professionally known as KDDO, was born on July 13, 1992, and raised in Lagos State, Nigeria, where he spent his formative years immersed in the vibrant cultural environment of the city.[6][7] From a young age, Agboola was deeply influenced by his father's passion for music, as his father was a multi-instrumentalist who played various instruments, fostering an early love for music in the household. This familial exposure led Agboola to begin playing instruments himself during his childhood, laying the groundwork for his musical inclinations. He discovered his affinity for music and the arts at a tender age, often engaging with sounds and rhythms that surrounded him in his everyday life.[8][9] By his early teenage years, Agboola's interest evolved into active participation in music production and performance. At around 14 years old, he started DJing, entertaining audiences at family parties and school events, which honed his skills and built his confidence in the local scene. He formed a small group called 3ple3 with two friends, where they experimented with beat-making using software like Fruity Loops, marking his initial foray into production during sleepless nights of self-taught practice. Throughout this period, Agboola harbored ambitions of creating music with global appeal, initially experimenting with rock influences before gravitating toward genres that reflected his Nigerian roots.[8][10][2]Formal education
Ayoola Oladapo Agboola, professionally known as KDDO, received his formal education in Nigeria, attending schools in Lagos and Ogun State before pursuing higher studies. He graduated from Redeemer's University in Ede, Osun State, where he majored in actuarial science.[6][11] This academic background in a quantitative field contrasted with his early interest in music production, which he continued to pursue during his university years.Professional career
Early career and breakthrough
KDDO, born Ayoola Oladapo Agboola, began his music career in Lagos, Nigeria, where he started DJing at the age of 14, drawing inspiration from the city's vibrant music scene. Influenced by a mix of local sounds and global genres, he initially experimented with rock music before shifting toward production as he honed his skills in beat-making and songwriting.[2] After completing his studies in actuarial science at Redeemer's University, he transitioned fully into music production, working with emerging Nigerian artists and blending Afrobeats with hip-hop and R&B elements.[6] In the mid-2010s, KDDO gained traction through early productions such as Orezi's "Rihanna" in 2013, which showcased his ability to craft infectious, dance-oriented tracks.[2] His career accelerated in 2017 when he signed a publishing deal with Sony/ATV Music Publishing, enabling collaborations with international and African artists.[12] That same year, he relocated to Atlanta, United States, to pursue global opportunities, noting the lack of African music in local clubs as a key motivator for his sound.[2] KDDO's breakthrough came with his production and co-writing on Davido's "Fall," released in 2017, which became a massive hit and marked the longest-charting Nigerian song on the Billboard World Digital Song Sales chart.[2] The track achieved over 100 million YouTube views and was certified gold by the RIAA in 2020, making KDDO the first Afrobeats producer to receive such certification.[13] This success solidified his reputation, leading to further high-profile works like AKA's "Fela in Versace," certified platinum in South Africa.[12]Productions for other artists
KDDO has established himself as a prominent figure in Afrobeats and global music production, collaborating with a diverse array of artists by blending African rhythms with hip-hop, R&B, and pop elements. His work often emphasizes infectious melodies and genre-fusing beats, contributing to the international breakthrough of Afrobeats. Over the years, he has produced and co-written tracks for major Nigerian and international acts, earning certifications and chart success that highlight his impact.[3] One of his breakthrough productions was for Davido's 2017 single "Fall," which KDDO fully produced and helped craft into a global Afrobeats anthem. The track's upbeat tempo and catchy hooks propelled it to become the longest-charting African song on the Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart, peaking at number 18 and charting for 30 weeks. This success marked a pivotal moment in popularizing Afrobeats in the U.S., with the song achieving platinum status in South Africa through the Recording Industry of South Africa (RISA) and, as of 2023, certified 4x platinum.[2][14] In 2017, KDDO also produced South African rapper AKA's "Fela in Versace," a high-energy track from the album Touch My Blood that fused trap influences with Afrobeats flair. The song earned RISA platinum certification for sales exceeding 20,000 units in South Africa, making KDDO the first Nigerian producer to receive such recognition from the body. This collaboration underscored his growing influence across African music scenes.[16][17] Expanding internationally, KDDO co-wrote and co-produced Chris Brown's "Under the Influence" from the extended edition of the album Indigo (2019), released as a single in 2022. The track's sultry R&B vibe infused with Afrobeats percussion resonated widely, amassing over 1 billion streams on Spotify and peaking at number 20 on the UK Singles Chart and in the top 10 in multiple countries. It exemplified KDDO's ability to bridge genres for mainstream appeal.[13] More recently, in 2024, KDDO co-produced "F o r C e r t a i n" for PARTYNEXTDOOR's album PARTYNEXTDOOR 4 (P4), alongside OG Parker. The song incorporates Afrobeats elements into contemporary R&B, showcasing KDDO's ongoing role in elevating African sounds on global stages. His contributions here, including keyboards and composition, highlight his versatility in high-profile R&B projects.[18][19] KDDO's productions extend to other artists like Olamide, Mayorkun, and international names such as Summer Walker and Ari Lennox, where he has provided beats and songwriting that emphasize rhythmic innovation and cultural fusion, though specific track details remain less documented in public credits. His portfolio demonstrates a consistent focus on creating cross-cultural hits that drive streaming and chart performance.[20][21]Career as a recording artist
KDDO transitioned into a recording artist with the release of his debut extended play (EP), Too Late Too Lit, on May 14, 2021.[22] The project marked his first major venture as a lead vocalist, expanding beyond his established role as a producer.[2] Comprising eight tracks, the EP fuses Afrobeats rhythms with R&B, hip-hop, and house influences, highlighting KDDO's songwriting and performative range.[22] The EP features prominent collaborations that underscore KDDO's industry connections, including Davido on "Beamer Body," Mayorkun on "Loco," Bas and Jidenna on "Party," Cassper Nyovest on "eWallet," Sho Madjozi on "20 Something," The Cavemen on "Holy Ghost Fire," and Ferow on "Show Me Love," alongside an interlude titled "Flex Education."[23] Tracks like "Beamer Body" exemplify the EP's energetic, club-ready vibe, blending amapiano percussion with nostalgic highlife elements to create an Afrocentric soundscape.[24] KDDO co-wrote and produced the entire project, demonstrating his holistic approach to artistry.[2] In subsequent years, KDDO continued to build his profile as a featured vocalist while maintaining a selective output as a lead. Notable appearances include his contribution to "Yeh Yeh" alongside Rema and Ayra Starr in 2023, a track that integrates amapiano and pop sensibilities.[25] He also collaborated with AKA on "Company" in 2023, delivering verses over an upbeat production.[26] By 2024, previews of an upcoming single titled "Cash App" featuring Tyler ICU surfaced, signaling ongoing exploration in vocal-led Afrobeats and amapiano fusions, though a full release remained pending as of late 2024.[27] These efforts reflect KDDO's gradual shift toward a dual identity as both creator and performer, prioritizing cross-genre appeal.[2]Live performances and tours
Major tours
KDDO launched his debut major tour, the L.O.U.D Music Production Tour, on July 12, 2017, visiting nine Nigerian states including Abuja, Lagos, Enugu, and Port Harcourt to showcase his production work and DJ sets.[6] The tour, supported by Sony ATV and Davido Music Worldwide, highlighted his rising influence in the Afrobeats scene through live demonstrations of beats and collaborations.[6] Following the 2017 tour, KDDO focused more on studio productions and select DJ appearances rather than extensive touring, with no additional large-scale headlining tours documented.Notable live appearances
KDDO's notable live appearances have primarily featured collaborations with prominent artists, highlighting his transition from studio producer to onstage performer. In December 2017, he shared the stage with Mayorkun at the Mayor of Lagos Concert at Hard Rock Cafe in Lagos, Nigeria, with Davido acting as hype man during the event.[6] In 2018, KDDO performed alongside South African rapper AKA at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg during a halftime show for the AFCON qualifiers match between Nigeria and South Africa on November 17.[28] A significant international appearance came in October 2021, when KDDO joined Dreamville Records artist Bas for a live rendition of their collaborative track "Amnesia" at the Dreamville on the Rocks festival held at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado. This performance underscored his growing presence in the global hip-hop and Afrobeats scenes.[29]Discography
Productions
KDDO's production work spans Afrobeats, R&B, and hip-hop, blending rhythmic percussion, melodic synths, and infectious hooks that have propelled tracks to global success. Initially gaining recognition under his former moniker Kiddominant, he has collaborated with leading African and international artists, contributing to multi-platinum hits that fuse Nigerian sounds with Western influences. His productions often emphasize danceable grooves and emotional depth, earning certifications and chart longevity.[2] One of KDDO's breakthrough productions is Davido's 2017 single "Fall," from the album A Good Time, which became the longest-charting Nigerian song on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart and earned RIAA Platinum certification (as of 2023). The track's bouncy bassline and layered ad-libs helped it resonate internationally, amassing over 127 million streams on Spotify as of November 2025.[30][2][31][32] In 2018, KDDO produced AKA's "Fela in Versace" featuring himself, from the album Touch My Blood. This high-energy track pays homage to Fela Kuti with brass stabs and rapid-fire flows, topping South African charts and earning a South African Music Award nomination for Record of the Year.[33] KDDO's collaborations with Chris Brown highlight his crossover appeal. He wrote and produced "Under the Influence" from Brown's 2019 album Indigo, a sensual R&B track with Afrobeats undertones that went viral on TikTok in 2022, peaking at No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and achieving Diamond certification in France and multi-Platinum status in several countries. Similarly, "Lower Body" featuring Davido from the same album incorporates percussive rhythms and vocal harmonies, contributing to Indigo's commercial success with over 1 billion global streams.[34][13][35]) Other notable productions include Mayorkun's 2017 hit "Mama," a heartfelt Afrobeats ballad with piano accents that won Producer of the Year at The Headies, and Davido's "D&G" featuring Summer Walker from 2019, co-produced with London on da Track, blending trap elements with melodic verses for a smooth, radio-friendly vibe. KDDO also co-produced Shenseea's 2022 single "Can't Anymore" from Alpha, adding atmospheric synths to its pop-reggae fusion, and AKA's "Jika" featuring Yanga Chief, a 2019 dance anthem with upbeat tempo that dominated South African airplay. In 2024, KDDO co-produced "For Certain" on PARTYNEXTDOOR's album P4.[36][37][38]| Year | Artist | Track | Album/Single | Key Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Davido | Fall | A Good Time | Longest-charting Nigerian song on Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay; RIAA Platinum (as of 2023)[30][32] |
| 2017 | Mayorkun | Mama | The Mayor of Lagos | The Headies Producer of the Year |
| 2018 | AKA | Fela in Versace (ft. KDDO) | Touch My Blood | SAMAs Record of the Year nominee; No. 1 on Metro FM |
| 2019 | Chris Brown (ft. Davido) | Lower Body | Indigo | Over 1B streams (album); Afrobeats-R&B fusion[35] |
| 2019 | Davido (ft. Summer Walker) | D&G | A Good Time | Co-produced; international collaboration hit |
| 2019 | AKA (ft. Yanga Chief) | Jika | Touch My Blood | South African airplay dominance[37] |
| 2019 | Chris Brown | Under the Influence | Indigo | Billboard Hot 100 peak No. 12; Diamond in France, multi-Platinum elsewhere[34]) |
| 2022 | Shenseea | Can't Anymore | Alpha | Co-produced; pop-reggae crossover[36] |
| 2024 | PARTYNEXTDOOR | For Certain | P4 | Co-produced; R&B collaboration[38] |