When a song becomes a hit, the spotlight usually falls on the artiste(s). But behind every chart-topping song is a producer who helped shape the sound from the ground up.
Here are twelve Nigerian producers who deserve a lot more appreciation than they get:
- Magicsticks
It is impossible to discuss Asake’s meteoric rise without mentioning Magicsticks.
He produced, mixed, and mastered all 12 tracks on Asake’s debut album ‘Mr. Money With The Vibe’ — an album that debuted at No. 66 on the Billboard 200 and topped charts in over 30 countries, making it the biggest debut for an Afrobeats album at the time.
Notable productions:
- “Omo Ope” by Asake
- “Peace Be Unto You” by Asake
- “Joha” by Asake
- “Organise” by Asake
- “Terminator” by Asake
The producer helped define an era that many fans will remember for years.
- P.Priime
Few producers have had a bigger impact on the current generation of Afrobeats than P.Priime. His production style combines traditional African rhythms with modern bounce, creating records that feel fresh without losing their local identity. He has become one of the go-to producers for artists looking to create anthems.
Notable productions:
- “Bandana” by Fireboy DML and Asake
- “Ozumba Mbadiwe” by Reekado Banks
- “Sungba Remix” by Asake and Burna Boy
- “Terminator” by Asake
- “Trabaye” by Burna Boy
His fingerprints can be found on some of the biggest records of the last few years.
- Niphkeys
Niphkeys broke through in 2020 with records that reshaped Marlian Music’s direction. He spent the years after building quietly and in 2025, he produced two of ODUMODUBLVCK’s biggest records. OkayAfrica called it a travesty how underrated Niphkeys tends to be. Hard to argue.
Notable productions:
- “Kilofeshe” by Zinoleesky
- “Koleyewon” by Naira Marley
- “Feel Good” by Mohbad
- “Pity This Boy” by ODUMODUBLVCK
- “Conse” by ODUMODUBLVCK
- DJ Coublon
When people talk about the songs that dominated Nigerian radio in the mid-to-late 2010s, DJ Coublon’s name rarely comes up. Yet his production credits tell a different story.
His ability to blend highlife influences with contemporary Afrobeats made him one of the most dependable producers of his era.
Notable productions:
- “Duro” by Tekno
- “Go Gaga” by Wande Coal
- “Iskaba” by Wande Coal ft. DJ Tunez
- “Good Time” by Kizz Daniel
- “Woju” by Kizz Daniel
- “Black Girl Magic” by Patoranking
- “My Woman My Everything” by Patoranking ft. Wande Coal
- Tempoe
It is difficult to discuss Afrobeats’ global rise without mentioning Tempoe. The Lagos-born producer, who started out as a statistician and web developer before teaching himself music production, built his skills through the Sarz Academy and went on to create one of Nigerian music’s most impressive catalogs.
Notable Productions:
- “Love Nwantiti” by CKay
- “Godly” by Omah Lay
- “Soso” by Omah Lay
- “Soweto” by Victony
- “Alcohol” by Joeboy
- “With You” by Davido ft. Omah Lay
- Ragee
Ragee is the producer behind one of Davido’s biggest records, the song that came with the dance challenge that took over every social media app in 2023.
Notable productions:
- “Unavailable” by Davido
- “Stronger” by Young Jonn
- “Woman commando” by Ayra Starr, Anitta and Coco Jones
- “Have Fun” by Bad Boy Timz
- “Sensational” by Christbrown, Davido and Lojay
- “Who’s Dat Girl” by Ayra starr and Rema
- Sarz
If you’re a huge fan of Afrobeats, chances are you’ve heard a Sarz production.
Known for his clean drums and infectious grooves, Sarz has consistently remained one of the most influential producers in Afrobeats. Unlike many producers who enjoy brief periods of dominance, Sarz has managed to stay relevant across different generations of artists.
Notable Productions:
- “Beat Of Life” by Wizkid and Sarz
- “Monalisa” by Lojay
- “Come closer” by Wizkid ft. Drake
- “Jaiye Jaiye” by Wizkid ft. Femi Kuti
- “Mad” by Sarz and Wurld
- “LV N ATTN” by Lojay and Sarz (ft. Wizkid)
- “Back Outside” by Sarz and BNXN
- “Kako Bi Chicken” by Reminisce
- Kel-P
When conversations turn to Burna Boy’s rise into a global superstar, Kel-P deserves a seat at the table.
The producer played a major role in crafting the sound of African Giant and Twice As Tall, two projects that elevated Burna Boy to new heights. His production blends Afrobeats, dancehall, reggae, and contemporary pop in a way that feels effortless.
Notable productions:
- “Gbona” by Burna Boy
- “Anybody” by Burna Boy
- “Ghetto Love” by Wizkid
- “Party No Dey Stop” by Adekunle Gold ft. Zinoleesky
- “Pull Up” by Burna Boy
- “Dangote” by Burna Boy
- “One More Night” by Tiwa Savage
His influence extends far beyond a single artist, but his partnership with Burna Boy remains one of the most successful artist-producer collaborations in Nigerian music.
- Sess
Sess is one of the most versatile producers in Nigeria today.
Whether he’s producing mainstream Afrobeats records or alternative sounds, he consistently delivers quality. He also understands how to build records around an artist’s strengths instead of forcing a one-size-fits-all approach.
Notable productions:
- “Original Gangster” by Adekunle Gold
- “Karishika” by Falz ft. Phyno and Chigul
- “Soft Work” by Falz
- “Hypocrite” by Falz ft. Demmie Vee
- “Confirm” by Falz
- “Next” by Falz
- Spax
Spax may not dominate headlines, but his influence on Nigerian music is undeniable.
Known for his attention to detail and strong understanding of vocal production, Spax has quietly contributed to some of the country’s most respected records.
Notable productions:
- “Away” by Oxlade
- “Mamiwota” by BNXN
- “Ojuju” by Oxlade
- “DKT (Dis Kind Thing)” by Oxlade
- “Tables Turn” by Wande Coal
- “For You” by Timi Dakolo ft. Waje
His work often prioritizes musical depth over trends, which is one reason many artists continue to seek him out.
- Legendury Beatz
As a production duo, Legendury Beatz helped define an entire era of Afrobeats.
Their ability to create catchy, energetic records made them one of the most sought-after production teams in the country during the genre’s global expansion phase.
Notable productions:
- “Caro” by Starboy
- “Ojuelegba” by Wizkid
- “Ara” by Brymo
- “Pakurumo” by Wizkid
- “Essence” by Wizkid ft. Tems
- “Final(Baba nla)” by Wizkid
Many of the sounds that introduced Afrobeats to international audiences were built with their contributions.
- Del B
His production style is built around strong melodic hooks and clean arrangements. He was central to the early 2010s wave of Afrobeats records that were designed for both radio dominance and street appeal, helping shape how mainstream Nigerian pop sounded in that period.
Notable Productions:
- Mad Over You” by Runtown
- “Limpopo” by Kcee
- “Pull Over” by Kcee ft. Wizkid
- “On Top Your Matter” by Wizkid
- “Bend Down Pause” by Runtown
- “Shake” by Flavour
Which producers should also make the list? Drop their names in the comment section.
