Udoma Peter Kelvin Amba known professionally as Kel-P 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, Universal Music France, and Virgin Music France, with a management deal with Jones Worldwide. He was formerly signed to Aristokrat from 2019 to 2023, and is best known for exclusively producing and co-writing the Grammy nominated world album African Giant in 2019.
He was credited by OkayAfrica, as one of the key figures who have helped take Afrobeats to new heights. 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 was born and raised in Lagos State to parents from Akwa Ibom State.
Career In 2016, he met with Sarz, which led to Sarz, helping in creating the song he was working on at that point in time. Sarz, also helped him in creating his tag "It's Kel-P Vibes". In 2018, he rose to prominent, following his production on Solid Star's single "Eleganza". 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 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. On 24 November 2020, he was nominated at the 63rd Grammy Awards, via Skip Marley album Higher Place, on the song "Faith". 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. On 20 January 2023, he launched his singing career with the release of "One More Night", through Jones Worldwide, and Virgin Music France division, with its accompanying music video directed by Damian Belden, and Luke Shaw.
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. He also seats as CEO of Bully Entertainment, upon its launching.
Production discography Selected albums produced and songwriting credit ArtistAlbumRelease dateCertificationsLabelNoteBurna BoyAfrican Giant26 July 2019MC: Gold NVPI: Gold IFPI: Gold BPI : Gold SNEP : GoldSpaceship / Atlantic / WMGPrimary producer Co-writerPhynoDeal with It4 September 2019PenthauzeProduced 2 songsAshidapo4am in Lagos13 September 2019Aristokrat 360 LimitedCo-producedDadjuPoison ou Antidote15 November 2019SNEP:DiamondUMG / Polydor RecordsProduced 2 songsStarboySoundman Vol. 16 December 2019Starboy EntertainmentProduced 3 songsWurldAFROSOUL15 May 2020We Are Gvds / Immensum MusicProduced 1 songSkip MarleyHigher Place28 August 2020Island RecordsCo-producedNiniolaColours and Sounds2 October 2020Drumroll RecordsProduced 3 songsWizkidMade in Lagos30 October 2020MC: Gold NVPI: Gold IFPI: Gold BPI : Gold RIAA : GoldStarboy / RCAProduced 1 songAngélique KidjoMother Nature18 June 2021Decca RecordsCo-producedSeyi ShayBig Girl10 December 2021Stargurl Limited / Jones WorldwideCo-executive producerKel-PBully Season Vol.124 February 2023Jones Worldwide / Virgin Music France / Universal Music FranceExecutive producerDreamvilleCreed III3 March 2023Sony Classical RecordsProduced 2 songsRemaRave & Roses25 March 2022 MC: Platinum SNEP: Gold ZPAV: Gold IFPI: PlatinumJonzing World / Mavin RecordsProduced 1 songDavidoTimeless21 March 2023Davido Music Worldwide / Sony Music / Columbia RecordsCo-wrote 1 songJanelle MonáeThe Age of Pleasure9 June 2023Wondaland / Bad Boy Records / Atlantic RecordsCo-produced 1 song
Accolades Year Awards ceremony Award description(s) Results2019The HeadiesProducer of the Year ""Killin Dem" by (Burna Boy)"City People Music AwardMusic Producer of the YearSoundcity MVP Awards FestivalAfrican Producer of the YearGrammy AwardsBest World Music Album "African Giant" by (Burna Boy)"African Muzik Magazine AwardsMusic Producer of The YearThe Beatz AwardsAfro Dancehall Producer of the YearProducer of the YearAfro Beat Producer of the YearAll Africa Music AwardsProducer of the Year in Africa2020The HeadiesProducer of the Year ""Pull Up" by (Burna Boy)"Grammy AwardsBest Reggae Album "Higher Place" by (Skip Marley)2022Grammy AwardsBest Global Music Album "Made In Lagos: Deluxe Edition" by (Wizkid)Best Global Music Album "Mother Nature" by (Angélique Kidjo)2023The HeadiesProducer of the Year "Kpe Paso" by (Wande Coal)2024Grammy AwardsAlbum of the Year "The Age of Pleasure" by (Janelle Monáe)Best Global Music Album "Timeless" by (Davido)
References