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Niphkeys: Nigerian producers championing zeitgeist of afrobeats sonicscape

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1 year ago

As the Afrobeats producer scene continues to gain, arguably rightfully so, recognition amid a floodgate of new projects, a wave of emerging talents is spearheading the charge in crafting novel sounds that fuel our enjoyment, while also propelling West African music to the global stage.

Niphkeys, born Adebajo Oluwanifemi Adebanjo is one of such talents. Starting his musical journey as a pianist in church, his inquisitiveness about different musical avenues prompted him to venture into beat-making professionally in 2016. Eight years later, Niphkeys has now grown into the status of a quintessential producer, readily propounding sonic palettes for Afrobeats sound.

Niphkeys, born on the 6th of March 1994, was raised in a musically inclined family, learning to play several instruments from a young age including piano, drumset, guitar, bass, and gangan (talking drum). He grew up in the Agege area of Lagos. He attended Legacy Villa Primary School in Alagbado, followed by Good Shepherd Comprehensive High School for junior secondary education, and Providence Heights School for senior secondary education in Iju, Lagos State. Graduating with first-class honours in Soil Science from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, in Ogun State, he garnered recognition and awards for his musical talent during his time on campus.

In 2020, Niphkeys was announced as part of the talents for Ejoya Class of ‘20. That momentum from working with then-rising stars such as YKB, BNXN propelled the 30-year-old prodigy into the ranks of top Nigerian producers renowned for crafting hit-ready beats. After the end of the Ejoya program, he produced for the likes of BNXN, Emo Grae, Minz, Mojo and others on the Ejoya Class of ‘20 Vol.1. This project served as the pivotal moment that catapulted him into becoming one of Nigeria’s most sought-after record producers. As the brain behind some of the hottest Street-pop songs to come out of Nigeria, some of his production credits include “Koleyewon” by Naira Marley, “Feel Good” by Mohbad, “Kilofeshe” and “Mapariwo” by Zinoleesky. During the peak of his collaboration with Zinoleesky, a formidable artist-producer bond emerged.

The pair’s infallible chemistry has resulted in numerous hit records, expanding the street-pop soundscape, with the duo expanding as far as interpolating fuji legend, Malaika on ‘Naira Marley’, and sampling Asa on ‘Loving You’. The pair’s alliance and proven success led him to other Afropop tastemakers such as Omah Lay, Asake, Zlatan, Bella Shmurda, Reekado Banks, and more. Niphkeys’ unique flair lies in his vibrant instrumentals, guaranteed to set your feet in motion for the dance floor. Infusing the lively and upbeat bounce of street hop with stunning percussions, there’s a lingering sense that the beats he makes are the showpieces—no matter whose vocals are on them.

In the dynamic sonic scape of Afropop, sound trends evolve quickly, but Niphkeys stays ahead of the curve. Already in 2024, he’s set his sights on brewing the next set of underground talents into pop stars. That ambition led Niphkeys to collaborate with emerging talent, Boy Tiphe, and together they crafted an innovative Apala beat for the track “Tension.”

With two songs nominated for the ‘Street Pop Song of the Year’ category at the 15th edition of the Headies Awards in 2022, including Mohbad’s ‘Feel Good,’ which earned him a nomination for ‘Producer of the Year,’ along with a Clout Africa nomination for ‘Producer of the Year’ in 2022, Niphkeys is reaping the rewards of his dedication to music.

“The future of Afrobeat in Africa is in safe hands” and Adebajo Oluwanifemi Adebanjo, popularly known as Niphkeys, is one of the consistent creative producers who’s making this statement more of a reality than prophecy.

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