P.Priime
P.Priime, whose real name is Peace Emmanuel Aderogba Oredope, is a Nigerian record producer, DJ, music director, mixing engineer, and songwriter born on March 28, 2002, in Lagos, Nigeria, renowned for his innovative contributions to the Afrobeats genre.[1][2][3] From a young age, Oredope showed a passion for music, beginning as a drummer at four years old and later transitioning to piano at eight before discovering beatmaking after high school.[4] He honed his skills at The Sarz Academy under the mentorship of renowned producer Sarz, which propelled his entry into the professional scene.[5][4] P.Priime's breakthrough came with early productions such as "Like I Do" for Fireboy DML on the album Laughter, Tears & Goosebumps (2019) and "Gelato" for DJ Cuppy (2019), followed by contributing seven tracks to Olamide's Carpe Diem (2020), which debuted at number 11 on Billboard's World Albums chart.[4] His portfolio expanded to include hits like "Egungun" by Zlatan featuring Obesere (2020), and he has since collaborated with global Afrobeats stars including Wizkid, Rema, Burna Boy, Omah Lay, Asake, and Davido.[4][5] In 2022, he contributed to the soundtrack of Marvel's Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, further elevating his international profile.[1] Among his notable 2024 productions are multiple tracks on Asake's Lungu Boy (e.g., "MMS" featuring Wizkid and "Skating"), Rema's HEIS (e.g., "March Am" and "Azaman"), Wizkid's Morayo (e.g., "Soji" and "Bad Girl"), as well as Victony's "Risk," Ayra Starr's "Jazzy's Song," and Tyla's "Back 2 You."[5] P.Priime's accolades include Producer of the Year at the 2021 AFRIMMA Awards, selection as one of two Nigerian producers for YouTube's 2022 Black Voices Songwriter/Producer Class, and Producer of the Year at the 2025 Trace Awards for "MMS."[6][1][7] At 23 years old as of 2025, he continues to shape the sound of contemporary Afrobeats through his high-energy beats and versatile production style.[5]Biography
Early life and education
Peace Emmanuel Aderogba Oredope, known professionally as P.Priime, was born on March 28, 2002, in Lagos, Nigeria.[1] He grew up in a musical family where most members, including his siblings, served as choristers in their local Anglican church, fostering an environment rich in melody and rhythm from an early age.[4] His father, a church singer and drummer who led the choir, further immersed the household in sacred music traditions.[8] P.Priime's initial foray into music began at age four in 2006, when his older brother, a drummer, taught him the basics of percussion, sparking a lifelong passion.[9] By age eight, he had mastered the piano, and he soon expanded his skills to include the saxophone and guitar, demonstrating remarkable versatility as a young instrumentalist.[3] These early experiences, guided by family, laid the foundation for his technical proficiency. For his formal education, P.Priime attended Nuga Paul High School in Ejigbo, Lagos, completing secondary school in 2016 at the unusually young age of 14.[10] Following graduation, he participated in a summer program at the Musical Society of Nigeria Centre, honing his musical knowledge in a structured setting.[3] Prior to professional opportunities, he developed self-taught production skills starting at age 15 in 2017, experimenting with basic software out of curiosity for digital beatmaking.[9] This phase culminated in his acceptance into the 2018 Sarz Academy, marking his entry into formal industry training.[9]Personal life
P.Priime resides in Lagos, Nigeria.[11] He keeps his personal relationships private, offering little public insight into romantic partnerships or marital status, though he has jokingly alluded to family life in interviews without specifics. In terms of family, P.Priime comes from a supportive household and expressed particular joy in 2024 over his sister's recent childbirth, highlighting close sibling bonds.[10][12] Beyond music, P.Priime's hobbies reflect a balanced, low-key lifestyle; he enjoys playing video games such as FIFA for several hours daily, watching series like Game of Thrones, reading books, viewing movies, and engaging in sports like table tennis. He also appreciates culinary exploration, favoring rice and stew as a comfort food while trying international options like Japanese cuisine, and prioritizes time with friends and his manager for relaxation. His routine incorporates personal rituals, including morning prayers and workouts, underscoring a focus on well-being and simple joys.[12][10]Career
Early career and breakthrough
P.Priime, born Peace Emmanuel Oredope, entered the music industry as a self-taught producer after graduating high school at age 14 in 2016, initially experimenting with beatmaking software like FL Studio out of boredom. His formal entry came in 2018 when he enrolled in a session of The Sarz Academy, a non-profit program founded by veteran producer Sarz to train emerging Nigerian creatives in music production and business. The one-month intensive provided P.Priime with foundational industry knowledge, including legal and entrepreneurial aspects of music, which he described as "eye-opening" and instrumental in connecting him with like-minded peers.[13][8][4] Under Sarz's mentorship, whom P.Priime regards as an "industry dad" and father figure, he honed his technical skills and developed a distinct production style, emphasizing warm, personality-driven sounds using elements like the Blue Rhodes piano for a calm vibe. Sarz's guidance extended beyond the academy, offering ongoing support for collaborations and career navigation, helping P.Priime transition from amateur beats to professional work. This period marked his shift from childhood musical training—starting with drums at age four under his brother's tutelage—to a structured path in Afrobeats production.[13][8][14] Between 2018 and 2020, P.Priime's first professional productions emerged for rising artists, including beats for Zlatan's "Unripe Pawpaw" and "Egungun Be Careful" featuring Obesere, as well as Fireboy DML's "Like I Do." His debut major hit arrived in 2019 with "Gelato" for DJ Cuppy featuring Zlatan, which showcased his budding ability to craft infectious Afrobeats rhythms. These early tracks, produced while still a teenager, established him among emerging talents in Lagos' vibrant scene.[13][4][9] P.Priime's breakthrough occurred in 2020 with his contributions to Olamide's album Carpe Diem, where he co-produced seven of the twelve tracks, including standout singles "Infinity" featuring Omah Lay and "Loading" featuring Bad Boy Timz. The album debuted at number 11 on the Billboard World Albums chart, propelling P.Priime to prominence as a go-to producer for Afrobeats heavyweights before turning 19. During this time, he developed his signature sound tags—"P" and "Giddem"—with the latter originating from a sound pack discovered while collaborating on a track, adding a distinctive, commanding stamp to his beats.[3][4][8] Alongside production, P.Priime's early career included initial forays into DJing, which he explored before fully committing to beatmaking, and music direction roles in live performances to support his growing network of artists. These experiences, rooted in his family's church music background, helped him blend performative energy with studio precision, laying the groundwork for his multifaceted role in the industry.[4][3]Major collaborations and productions
In 2021, P.Priime solidified his prominence in the Afrobeats scene through his production on Wizkid's "Anoti," a track featured on the [Made in Lagos](/page/Made in Lagos) (Deluxe) album, which contributed to the project's international acclaim and helped propel Afrobeats onto global stages. The song's smooth, melodic instrumentation showcased P.Priime's ability to blend contemporary rhythms with infectious hooks, aligning with the album's broader success that included Grammy recognition for other tracks like "Essence." This collaboration highlighted his growing partnership with Wizkid, emphasizing P.Priime's role in crafting sounds that bridged Nigerian roots with worldwide appeal.[15] P.Priime also made significant contributions to Fireboy DML's Apollo album, producing tracks such as "God Only Knows" alongside Pheelz, infusing the project with layered percussion and emotive builds that enhanced its soulful Afrobeats vibe. Extending his work with Fireboy, he later produced "Coming Back for You" for the artist's inclusion on the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack in 2022, a high-profile endeavor that exposed Afrobeats to a massive Hollywood audience. On the same soundtrack, P.Priime co-produced Burna Boy's "Alone" and CKay's "Anya Mmiri" featuring PinkPantheress, both of which integrated Afro-fusion elements with global pop sensibilities, underscoring his versatility in elevating Nigerian artists on international platforms.[16][17] His collaborations with Olamide during this period included producing the hit single "Loading" featuring Bad Boy Timz in 2020, a track that drew from Amapiano influences to create a danceable, high-energy anthem that dominated Nigerian airwaves and streaming charts. Additionally, P.Priime served as music director for live performances and studio sessions with leading Nigerian artists, including Olamide and Wizkid, where he orchestrated seamless integrations of live instrumentation and digital production to enhance their stage presence and recording processes. These efforts not only amplified Afrobeats' rhythmic innovation but also positioned P.Priime as a key architect in the genre's 2021–2022 global expansion.[18][10]Recent developments (2023–present)
In 2024, P.Priime contributed significantly to Rema's sophomore album HEIS, released on July 10 by Mavin Records and Interscope, where he co-produced the title track "HEIS" alongside Rema, infusing it with an aggressive Afrobeats style characterized by intense percussion, rapid rhythms, and bold synth layers that amplify Rema's energetic delivery and themes of triumph and resilience.[19][20] This production approach marked a shift toward harder-hitting, confrontational sounds in Afrobeats, drawing from P.Priime's signature blend of electronic elements and traditional Nigerian rhythms to push the genre's boundaries on a global scale.[20] The album's reception highlighted P.Priime's role in elevating Rema's sound, with HEIS achieving widespread streaming success and critical acclaim for its innovative edge.[21] Building on this momentum, P.Priime delivered the beat for "Badman Gangster," a 2025 collaboration between Asake and French rapper Tiakola, released as a surprise single in July that fused Afrobeats with trap influences and multilingual lyrics to create a gritty, streetwise anthem.[3] The track's production featured pulsating basslines and layered ad-libs, showcasing P.Priime's ability to bridge Nigerian and European hip-hop aesthetics, and it quickly gained traction on platforms like Spotify and TikTok for its infectious energy.[3] This release exemplified his growing international footprint, as the partnership with Tiakola extended Afrobeats' reach into French-speaking markets and beyond.[3] In July 2025, P.Priime produced "Dynamite," a collaboration between Wizkid and Tyla, blending Afrobeats with amapiano elements for a vibrant, dance-oriented track that further solidified his role in cross-continental hits.) In 2025, P.Priime expanded his industry influence through involvement in MTN's music initiatives, serving as one of the official sound architects for The Next Afrobeats Star, a reality competition launched in August by MTN Nigeria and Ultima Studios to discover emerging talent, where he mentors contestants on production techniques and contributes to track development alongside producers like Sarz and Puffy Tee.[22] His advisory role in the show, which offers a $100,000 prize and recording deal, underscores his commitment to nurturing the next generation of Afrobeats creators, aligning with MTN's history of music empowerment programs.[22] This participation further solidified his status as a key figure in Nigeria's music ecosystem, with episodes featuring his hands-on guidance in studio sessions.[23] P.Priime's post-2023 trajectory also reflected broader international expansion, highlighted by the cross-continental "Badman Gangster" and ongoing ties to global Afrobeats dissemination through Rema's HEIS, which toured Europe and the U.S. in late 2024, amplifying his productions to diverse audiences.[20] His earlier work on Asake and Wizkid's "MMS" earned a nomination for Best African Music Performance at the 2025 Grammy Awards.[24]Musical style and influences
Production techniques and signature elements
P.Priime primarily utilizes FL Studio as his digital audio workstation for creating beats, a software he first experimented with on his sister's laptop after secondary school.[10][9][4] In his approach to Afrobeats production, he employs layering techniques that blend percussion, synthesizers, and samples to construct intricate rhythms, contributing to the genre's energetic and multifaceted sound.[25] His process emphasizes experimentation and fun, often starting with mood-setting elements before building full tracks.[10] Signature ad-libs define much of his work, including the energetic "P!" tag, which originated from a friend's freestyle shout-out shortened from his full producer name, and "Giddem," a hype phrase that emerged during sessions for an Olamide project and gained popularity through the artist's usage.[12] As a mixing engineer trained at Sarz Academy, P.Priime oversees the mixing and mastering of his productions, focusing on simplicity and excellence to achieve a balanced, professional finish.[10] His style adapts traditional Nigerian sounds—rooted in church drums and piano—with modern electronic elements, fusing African rhythmic foundations like highlife influences with contemporary innovation for a versatile Afrobeats aesthetic.[12][10]Influences and evolution
P.Priime's production style has been profoundly shaped by his mentorship under Nigerian producer Sarz, whom he credits as a pivotal influence after joining the Sarz Academy in 2018, where he refined his skills in beat-making and song arrangement.[3] Sarz's guidance helped transition P.Priime from self-taught drumming to professional production, emphasizing innovative rhythms rooted in Nigerian sounds. Additionally, global producers like Timbaland have inspired his approach to layered beats and R&B-infused textures, as seen in his early admiration for Timbaland's 90s innovations in hip-hop and electronic elements.[26] He has also drawn from EDM artists such as Major Lazer and Skrillex for chaotic, high-energy drops, blending these with Travis Barker's percussive flair to create dynamic, boundary-pushing tracks.[20] While P.Priime's work is firmly embedded in Afrobeats, the genre itself traces its roots to pioneers like Fela Kuti, whose Afrobeat fusion of jazz, funk, and highlife laid the groundwork for modern Nigerian rhythms that P.Priime adapts in his productions.[27] This heritage is evident in how he incorporates traditional percussion and call-and-response patterns, evolving them through blends of hip-hop's gritty lyricism and R&B's melodic smoothness to craft accessible yet culturally resonant sounds for artists like Rema and Asake.[5] P.Priime's style has evolved significantly since his early drum-centric experiments around 2016, progressing to more intricate, globally oriented Afrobeats by 2025, marked by minimalistic soulful layers alongside high-octane bangers.[8] His contributions to the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack in 2022 introduced cinematic scope, incorporating orchestral swells and narrative-driven builds that expanded his palette beyond club tracks.[28] Post-2022, personal growth in songwriting and artistic direction has been central, with P.Priime emphasizing authenticity and feedback reflection to infuse spiritual depth into his work, allowing his productions to mirror evolving emotional landscapes.[10] This maturation is reflected in his detailed boundary-breaking approach, prioritizing relatable emotions over rigid formulas.[26] As of mid-2025, his evolving style incorporates sampling from artists like Sade Adu, as heard in tracks such as "Baby (Is it a Crime?)" and "Someone," highlighting increased creative freedom and fusion of soulful elements with Afrobeats.[29]Discography
Selected singles and features
P.Priime's early production work from 2018 to 2020 included several breakout singles that showcased his emerging Afrobeats style. In 2019, he produced "Gelato" by DJ Cuppy featuring Zlatan, blending upbeat percussion with melodic hooks that highlighted his knack for club-ready tracks.[9] That same year, he crafted the beat for Fireboy DML's "Like I Do," a soulful R&B-infused single from the album Laughter, Tears & Goosebumps, emphasizing smooth synths and emotional depth. By 2020, P.Priime contributed to Reekado Banks' "Ozumba Mbadiwe," an energetic track with vibrant horns and rhythmic layers that became a staple in Nigerian party playlists. He also produced Olamide's "Loading" featuring Bad Boy Timz and "Infinity" featuring Omah Lay, both from the Carpe Diem album, where his productions featured infectious basslines and melodic flows that propelled the singles to widespread radio play. In 2021, P.Priime elevated his profile with Wizkid's "Anoti" from the Made in Lagos (Deluxe Edition), a laid-back groove-driven single incorporating subtle guitar riffs and atmospheric pads that captured introspective vibes.[30] His guest appearance on "Prisoner" by MOLIY further demonstrated his versatility as a vocalist and co-contributor.[31] The 2022–2023 period saw P.Priime behind several high-impact singles, including Fireboy DML and Asake's "Bandana," a violin-laced collaboration with pulsating percussion that dominated Afrobeats charts.[32] He produced Wizkid's "Pressure," a flirtatious track with crisp hi-hats and bouncy synths that exemplified his ability to craft global-appeal anthems. Other notable works include Burna Boy's "Alone," featuring brooding bass and emotional builds, and CKay's "Anya Mmiri" featuring PinkPantheress, which fused Afrobeats with UK garage elements for a cross-genre hit. P.Priime also appeared as a featured artist on "With You" by Sons of Sonix alongside Nico & Vinz, adding DJ flair to the upbeat single.[33] From 2024 to 2025, P.Priime's productions continued to shape Afrobeats' evolution, notably on Asake's "Badman Gangster" featuring Tiakola, a gritty street anthem with heavy 808s and rapid flows that earned international streaming acclaim. For Rema's HEIS album, he produced singles like "Baby (Is It a Crime)," a seductive mid-tempo track with lush melodies, and "Yayo," blending trap influences with Afrobeats rhythms. His contributions extended to Wizkid's "Bad Girl" featuring Asake from Morayo, a sultry single with wavy synths and harmonious vocals, and "Soji," an upbeat track showcasing his rhythmic innovation.[34] Other 2024 highlights include Victony's "Risk," a high-energy collaboration emphasizing dynamic percussion; Ayra Starr's "Jazzy's Song," fusing R&B elements with Afrobeats grooves; and Tyla's "Back 2 You," a vibrant single with infectious hooks. On Asake's Lungu Boy, P.Priime handled key singles such as "MMS" featuring Wizkid, an explosive collaboration with layered percussion and ad-libs that amplified its viral momentum.Album contributions
P.Priime has made significant contributions to several high-profile albums and soundtracks, often co-producing tracks that blend Afrobeats with global influences. His work emphasizes rhythmic innovation and collaborative energy, helping shape the cohesive sound of these projects.[20] On Wizkid's Made in Lagos (Deluxe) (2021), P.Priime produced the track "Anoti," infusing it with a laid-back groove that complemented the album's eclectic vibe. This contribution highlighted his emerging role in major Nigerian releases.[35] For Fireboy DML's Apollo (2021), P.Priime co-produced "God Only Knows" alongside Pheelz, delivering a soulful, introspective beat that underscored the album's themes of love and growth; this was the key track he handled on the 17-song project.[36][16] P.Priime's involvement in the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack (2022) marked his entry into international cinema, where he co-produced three tracks with Ludwig Göransson: "Alone" by Burna Boy, a poignant Afro-fusion piece reflecting loss; "Anya Mmiri" by CKay featuring PinkPantheress, blending amapiano elements; and "Coming Back For You" by Fireboy DML, a heartfelt ballad tying into the film's emotional narrative. These productions bridged African sounds with Hollywood production values, earning acclaim for their cultural resonance.[37][17][38] In Rema's HEIS (2024), P.Priime served as the most prominent producer, crediting on six tracks including "March AM," "Azaman," "YAYO," "HEIS," "Villian," and "Now I Know." His aggressive, experimental Afrobeats style—characterized by heavy bass and dynamic percussion—drove the album's bold evolution, positioning it as a sonic wake-up call in the genre.[39][40][20] Post-2023, P.Priime contributed to Olamide's Unruly (2023), producing tracks like "Trumpet" (featuring CKay) and "Come Alive" (featuring BNXN), which added vibrant, streetwise energy to the 15-track set. On Asake's Lungu Boy (2024), he handled seven of the 15 songs, including "Start," "MMS" (featuring Wizkid), "Mood," "My Heart," "Suru" (featuring Stormzy), "Skating," and "I Know," crafting infectious hooks that amplified the album's party-ready aesthetic and commercial success.[41][42]Awards and honors
Wins
P.Priime has garnered recognition for his production work through several prestigious awards, primarily in the Afrobeats and African music categories. His accolades include the AVA Awards for Producer of the Year in 2020, honoring his early contributions to the genre.[3] His first major accolade came in 2021 when he won Producer of the Year at the African Muzik Magazine Awards (AFRIMMA), honoring his overall impact on the Nigerian and broader African music scenes through hits like Wizkid's "Anoti."[43][44] That same year, he also won Afro Beat Producer of the Year at The Beatz Awards for his work on "Anoti."[3] In 2022, P.Priime secured Producer of the Year at the Clout Africa Awards, celebrated for his innovative contributions to Afrobeats, including productions for artists such as Reekado Banks and Teni that elevated the genre's global reach.[45][46] P.Priime's most recent victory occurred in 2025 at the Trace Awards, where he was awarded Best Producer for his work on Asake and Wizkid's collaborative track "MMS," which blended signature Afrobeats rhythms with infectious energy to achieve widespread acclaim.[47][48] As of November 2025, P.Priime has accumulated at least five major award wins, underscoring his rising influence as a key architect of contemporary Afrobeats production.[10]Nominations
P.Priime received recognition through a nomination at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards in 2022 for Best Global Music Album for his production on the track "Anoti" from Wizkid's Made in Lagos (Deluxe Edition), which highlighted his contributions to Afrobeats' global ascent.[10][1][3] In 2021, he received three nominations at the All Africa Music Awards, including Producer of the Year for "Infinity" by Olamide ft. Omah Lay, Album of the Year for Carpe Diem, and Song of the Year for "Infinity." Domestically, P.Priime has earned multiple nominations at The Headies, Nigeria's premier music awards, primarily in the Producer of the Year category, underscoring his consistent impact on high-profile tracks. These include a nod in 2022 (15th Edition) for his production on Reekado Banks' "Ozumba Mbadiwe" and in 2023 (16th Edition) for his work on Pheelz's "Electricity" featuring Davido, alongside collaborators TMXO and Pheelz.[49][50][51] In 2025, P.Priime received two nominations at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards, including Best African Music Performance for "MMS" by Asake ft. Wizkid and for his production contributions to Rema's album HEIS.[24]| Year | Award | Category | Work | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Grammy Awards | Best Global Music Album | Made in Lagos (Deluxe Edition) – Wizkid ("Anoti") | Nominated[10] |
| 2021 | All Africa Music Awards | Producer of the Year | "Infinity" – Olamide ft. Omah Lay | Nominated |
| 2021 | All Africa Music Awards | Album of the Year | Carpe Diem – Olamide | Nominated |
| 2021 | All Africa Music Awards | Song of the Year | "Infinity" – Olamide ft. Omah Lay | Nominated |
| 2022 | The Headies (15th Edition) | Producer of the Year | "Ozumba Mbadiwe" – Reekado Banks | Nominated[49] |
| 2023 | The Headies (16th Edition) | Producer of the Year | "Electricity" – Pheelz ft. Davido (with TMXO & Pheelz) | Nominated[50] |
| 2025 | Grammy Awards | Best African Music Performance | "MMS" – Asake ft. Wizkid | Nominated[24] |
| 2025 | Grammy Awards | Best African Music Album | HEIS – Rema | Nominated[24] |