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P2J

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P2J
P2J in 2022
P2J in 2022
Background information
Birth nameRichard Olowaranti Mbu Isong
Also known asPro2Jay
Born (1987-07-11) 11 July 1987 (age 37)
Genres
Occupations
  • Record producer
  • songwriter
Years active2007–present
Labels

Richard Olowaranti Mbu Isong (born 11 July 1987), known professionally as P2J is a Nigerian-British producer from London, England. He has produced for high-profile pop artists including Beyoncé, Wizkid, Stormzy, FKA Twigs, Burna Boy, Tems, and Doja Cat, among others.

Career

[edit]

P2J started to solidify his production career at age 14, when an instructor recommended he transfer to music courses.[1] His career kickstarted in 2007 on the television station, Channel U under the name P2J Project with the grime song "Hands in the Air".[2] He formerly produced songs under the name Pro2Jay, for the likes of Tiwa Savage, Krept and Konan and Lily Allen.[3] In 2017, he produced the song "Covered in You" for Chris Brown's album Heartbreak on a Full Moon.[4]

In 2019, he became one of the go-to afrobeats producers, working with artists such as Burna Boy, Wizkid, GoldLink, WSTRN, Doja Cat, Davido and more.[5] His largest collaboration in 2019 was with Beyoncé on the soundtrack album The Lion King: The Gift producing 6 tracks, earning him a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Vocal Album.[6] In 2020, he won his first Grammy award for Best Global Music Album, on Burna Boy's album Twice as Tall.[7] P2J was the primary producer on Wizkid's album Made in Lagos, which was nominated for a Grammy and included the song "Essence".[8][9] The song became the first Nigerian song in history to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 and the Billboard Global 200 in 2021, and a remix featuring Justin Bieber was later released.[10][11]

In 2022, he produced for FKA Twigs on the song "Jealousy" from her mixtape Caprisongs.[12] He has also produced 5 songs on Young T & Bugsey's mixtape Truth Be Told[13] and "Fallen Angel" on Ella Mai's album Heart on My Sleeve.

Artistry

[edit]

P2J spoke on his production style in an interview saying, "Wizkid and I were on the same path in terms of musicality when we met, in terms of merging different genres together, like merging reggae with the Afro, R&B with the Afro. He's been trying to get towards that through Soundman Vol. 1. We just eased into it with Made in Lagos. If you listen to the album, there's like a specific bass line that I've done that's quite memorable."[14] He also said that his goal to "infuse African music in anything I do. Whether it's African music like afro and R&B, afro and house, afro and pop, or afro and rap. I've always tried to infuse it in any way."[5]

Production discography

[edit]

2013

[edit]
Nathan – Dark Room – single
  • 00. "Dark Room"

2015

[edit]
Krept and KonanThe Long Way Home
  • 07. "I Don't Know" (featuring Rebecca Garton) (produced with Crumz)
  • 17. "So Easy" (produced with Big Mike)
Tiwa SavageR.E.D

2017

[edit]
StormzyGang Signs & Prayer
Tiwa SavageSugarcane
  • 02. "Get It Now"
  • 04. "Hold Me Down"
Star.One – Okay (P2J Remix) – Single
  • 00. Okay (P2J Remix) (featuring Maleek Berry & Seyi Shay)
Gyyps – Killafornia
  • 08. "Workout"
YungenAll Night – Single
  • 00. "All Night" (featuring Mr Eazi)
Reblah – Back to Glory
  • 04. "Wabamilo" (featuring P2J)
Chris BrownHeartbreak on a Full Moon
  • 07. "Covered in You" (produced with Ayo & Keyz)

2018

[edit]
Burna BoyOutside
  • 03. "Koni Baje"
  • 11. "Devil in California"
Lily AllenNo Shame
  • 04. "Your Choice" (featuring Burna Boy)
  • 08. "Higher"
Rebecca Garton – The Intent 2: The Come Up (soundtrack)
  • 18. "Always"
MarioDancing Shadows

2019

[edit]
KSI and Randolph – New Age
  • 09. "Pull Up" (KSI featuring Jme) (produced with Sammy SoSo)
GoldLinkDiaspora
  • 01. "//error" (produced with Ari PenSmith & GoldLink)
  • 02. "Joke Ting" (featuring Ari PenSmith) (produced with Ari PenSmith)
  • 03. "Maniac" (produced with OBR)
  • 05. "Zulu Screams" (featuring Maleek Berry and Bibi Bourelly)
  • 06. "More" (featuring Lola Rae)
  • 07. "Cokewhite" (featuring Pusha T) (produced with Fwdslxsh, McKenzie, MD$ & Momberger)
  • 09. "Yard" (featuring Haile of WSTRN)
  • 10. "Spanish Song" (featuring WaveIQ)
  • 11. "No Lie" (featuring WizKid) (produced with Ari PenSmith & Deats)
BeyoncéThe Lion King: The Gift
  • 06. "Don't Jealous Me" (Tekno, Lord Afrixana, Yemi Alade and Mr Eazi) (produced with Beyoncé & Dixie)
  • 08. "Ja Ara E" (Burna Boy) (produced with Beyoncé & Dixie)
  • 14. "Water" (Salatiel, Pharrell and Beyoncé) (produced with Beyoncé)
  • 15. "Brown Skin Girl" (Beyoncé, Saint Jhn and Wizkid featuring Blue Ivy Carter) (produced with Beyoncé & Dixie)
  • 17. "Keys to the Kingdom" (Tiwa Savage and Mr Eazi) (produced with Beyoncé, Northboi Oracle, GuiltyBeatz & Dixie)
  • 25. "Scar" (070 Shake and Jessie Reyez) (produced with Beyoncé, Tim Suby, Hamelin, Ari PenSmith, Dixie & Mike Dean)
Burna BoyAfrican Giant
  • 02. "Anybody"
Mark RonsonDon't Leave Me Lonely (featuring Yebba)
  • 01. "Don't Leave Me Lonely" (featuring Yebba)
WSTRNWSTRN Season, Vol. 2
  • 14. "Switch It Up" (produced with AoD & PRGRSHN)
Snoh AalegraSituationship – Single
  • 00. "Situationship"
Odunsi (The Engine) – Better Days / Wetin Dey – Single
  • 00. "Better Days" (featuring Wani)
Justine SkyeBare With Me
  • 02. "Secrets"
  • 03. "Bulletproof"
  • 05. "When You're Ready"
Wretch 3210/10 – Single
  • 00. "10/10" (featuring Giggs)
Krept and KonanG Love – Single
  • 00. "G Love" (featuring Wizkid)
Doja CatHot Pink
  • 08. "Addiction" (produced with Ari PenSmith)
Jaz Karis – Summer Stories
  • 03. "Bad Memories"
  • 03. "Come Around"
  • 04. "Owe You"
  • 06. "Unwritten Rules"
DavidoA Good Time
  • 07. "Get to You"
Skylar Stecker – Redemption
  • 03. Sleep On"

2020

[edit]
StarboySoundman Vol. 1
  • 01. "Jam" (Wizkid featuring Chronixx)
Skip MarleySlow Down (P2J Remix) – Single
  • 00. "Slow Down (P2J Remix)" (featuring H.E.R.)
Manny Norté – 4AM – Single
Lilah – Atlantis
  • 01. "Atlantis"
  • 03. "Summer Nights Fling"
  • 04. "Oxymoron"
  • 05. "Tired"
  • 06. "Euphoria"
  • 07. "Lilah's Lullaby"
Wretch 32Upon Reflection
  • 04. "10/10" (featuring Giggs)
  • 05. "Burn" (featuring Ghetts & Talay Riley)
Young T & BugseyPlead the 5th
  • 06. "Stand Up Man"
Haley Cassidy – Stripped
  • 03. "Beyond the Sun"
  • 04. "Foolish"
  • 07. "Life After You"
  • 09. "So Gone (Interlude)"
  • 10. "Still Stay" (featuring Tiggs Da Author)
  • 11. "Why Didn't You Call?"
AminéLimbo
Burna BoyTwice as Tall
Tiwa SavageCelia
  • 08. "Us (Interlude)"
Alicia KeysAlicia
GorillazSong Machine, Season One: Strange Timez
WizkidMade in Lagos
  • 01. "Reckless"
  • 02. "Ginger" (featuring Burna Boy) (produced with Kel-P)
  • 03. "Longtime" (featuring Skepta) (produced with Sarz)
  • 04. "Mighty Wine"
  • 05. "Blessed" (featuring Damian Marley)
  • 06. "Smile" (featuring H.E.R.)
  • 07. "Piece of Me" (featuring Ella Mai)
  • 08. "No Stress"
  • 10. "Sweet One"
  • 11. "Essence" (featuring Tems) (produced with Legendury Beatz)
  • 14. "Grace"
  • 16. "Mood" (featuring Buju)
  • 17. "Steady"
  • 18. "Essence (Remix)" (featuring Justin Bieber & Tems)
GriffSay It Again – Single
  • 01. "Say It Again"
Jessie ReyezBefore Love Came To Kill Us
  • 09. "ROOF"
Angel – Blessings (Remix)

2021

[edit]
DaveTitanium & Mercury – Single
  • 01. "Titanium"
Sinéad HarnettReady Is Always Too Late
Snoh AalegraTemporary Highs in the Violet Skies
  • 14. "Dying 4 Your Love" (produced with Marco Bernadis, Malik Venner & Jack Nichols-Marcy)
DaveWe're All Alone in This Together
  • 06. "System" (featuring Wizkid) (produced with Kyle Evans, Jae5 & Joe Reeves)
  • 07. "Lazarus" (featuring Boj) (produced with Jae5 & Joe Reeves)
  • 10. "Twenty to One" (produced with Dave & Kyle Evans)
Not3s3 Th3 Album
  • 08. "Counting"
WSTRNWonder Woman – Single
  • 00. "Wonder Woman"
Tion WayneGreen with Envy
  • 07. "West End" (featuring D-Block Europe)
  • 12. "Realest One"
  • 13. "Spend a Bag" (featuring 6lack)
  • 15. "Homecoming"
TameraAfrodite
  • 01. "Wickedest"
  • 02. "New Hobby"
  • 03. "Strong For Me"
  • 04. "Angel Dust"
  • 05. "Good Love" (featuring Tay Iwar)
Pa SalieuAfrikan Rebel
  • 01. "Shining" (featuring Tay Iwar & Zlatan)
Burna BoyB.D'or featuring Wizkid – Single
  • 01. "B.D'or" (featuring Wizkid)
Zhavia WardBig Girl$ Don't Cry – Single
  • 01. "Big Girl$ Don't Cry"

2022

[edit]
FKA TwigsCaprisongs
Young T & BugseyTruth Be Told
  • 02. "Big Bidness"
  • 04. "Caliente" (featuring Aitch)
  • 09. "Nice" (featuring Blxst)
  • 10. "Roberto C" (featuring Unknown T)
  • 11. "Glitter Ain't Gold"
Ella MaiHeart on My Sleeve
  • "Fallen Angel" (produced with Meko yohannes, Jahaan Sweet, Gaetan Judd, Mustard & Ari PenSmith)
Burna Boy – Love, Damini
  • 02. "Science"
  • 06. "Whiskey"
  • 10. "Dirty Secrets"
  • 12. "For My Hand" (featuring Ed Sheeran)
Omah LayBoy Alone
  • 02. "i"
  • 13. "tell everybody" (featuring Tay Iwar)
Beyoncé – Renaissance
AitchClose to Home
  • 09. "Cheque"
SantigoldSpirituals
  • 08. "No Paradise"
CKaySad Romance
  • 02. "Mmadu" (produced with Ckay)
M.I.A.MATA
  • 02. "Zoo Girl" (produced with Ckay)
A Boogie wit da HoodieMe vs. Myself
  • 03. "Take Shots" (featuring Tory Lanez)
WizkidMore Love, Less Ego
  • 01. "Money & Love"
  • 03. "Bad to Me"
  • 04. "2 Sugar" (featuring Ayra Starr)
  • 05. "Everyday"
  • 06. "Slip n Slide" (featuring Skillibeng & Shenseea)
  • 07. "Deep"
  • 08. "Flower Pads"
  • 09. "Wow" (featuring Skepta & Naira Marley)
  • 11. "Plenty Loving"
  • 13. "Frames (Who's Gonna Know)"
StormzyThis Is What I Mean
  • 02. "This Is What I Mean" (featuring Black Sherif, Amaarae & Ms Banks)
  • 05. "Need You" (featuring tendai & Ayra Starr)
  • 06. "Hide & Seek"
  • 10. "Bad Blood" (featuring NAO)
  • 11. "I Got My Smile Back" (featuring India.Arie)

2023

[edit]
Kali UchisRed Moon in Venus
  • 06. "Fantasy"
ChlöeIn Pieces
  • 04. "I Don't Mind"
Jorja Smithfalling or flying
  • 03. "Little Things"
Tay Iwar – Summer Breeze
  • 06. "Don't Lie"
MasegoMasego
  • 10. "Say You Want Me" (produced with E.Y. & Dan Foster)
J HusBeautiful and Brutal Yard
  • 02. "Massacre"
  • 03. "Who Told You" (featuring Drake)
  • 04. "Militerian" (featuring Naira Marley)
  • 19. "Playing Chess"
Lil Tjay222
  • 01. "Nightshift"
Tori KellyTori

2024

[edit]
Kali UchisORQUÍDEAS
  • 02. "Me Pongo Loca"
  • 05. "Diosa"
  • 07. "Perdiste"


TylaTYLA


Ayra StarrThe Year I Turned 21

  • 2. Goodbye (Warm Up" (with Asake)


VictonyStubborn

  • 3. Ludo (with Shallipopi)
  • 4. Anita
  • 15. Sunday School

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Year Event Prize Recipient Result Ref
2019 Soul Train Music Award for The Ashford & Simpson Songwriter's Award Record of the Year Brown Skin GirlBeyoncé ft. Wizkid & Saint Jhn Won [15]
2020 Grammy Awards Best Pop Vocal Album The Lion King: The Gift Nominated [16]
2021 Grammy Awards Best Global Music Album Twice as Tall Won [17]
Soul Train Music Award for The Ashford & Simpson Songwriter's Award Record of the Year Essence (song)Wizkid ft. Tems Nominated [18]
2021 Rated Awards Producer of the Year Himself Nominated [19]
2022 Grammy Awards Best Global Music Album Made in Lagos Nominated [20]
Best Global Music Performance "Essence"

(featuring Tems)

Nominated
2023 A&R Awards Producer Of The Year Himself Nominated [21][22]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Augustine, Camille (27 August 2019). "Views From The Studio: Producer P2J Discusses 'The Lion King: The Gift' Album". Vibe.
  2. ^ "Stories of All the Best Channel U Memories from Its 15 Years On-Air". Vice.
  3. ^ "Credits – P2J". AllMusic.
  4. ^ "Chris Brown 'Heartbreak On A Full Moon' Album Track List Revealed Feat. 45 Songs". HipHop n More. 14 October 2017.
  5. ^ a b High, Kemet. "How Afrobeats Is Influencing American Pop Music, According to Producer P2J". Complex.
  6. ^ Alake, Motolani (25 November 2019). "Grammy 2020: Here are the 11 Nigerians nominated". Pulse.
  7. ^ "Here Are The Producers Of The Grammy Award Winning Global Music Album – "Twice As Tall" by Burna Boy". 9jabreed.
  8. ^ "Grammy Contenders 2022: Wizkid on His Breakthrough Year and the Blessing of 'Made in Lagos'". Rolling Stone.
  9. ^ "Wizkid: My producer was sceptical about success of 'Made in Lagos'". The Cable. 13 December 2021.
  10. ^ "Wizkid's 'Essence' Enters Hot 100". Billboard. 15 July 2021. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  11. ^ "New Around the World: Wizkid & Tems Spotlight Nigeria on Global 200". Billboard. 22 July 2021. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
  12. ^ "FKA twigs Announces New Mixtape Caprisongs". Pitchfork. 6 January 2022.
  13. ^ "Young T & Bugsey Announce 'Truth Be Told' Project With Chronixx Collab "Blessings"". Complex.
  14. ^ "'You Don't Need No Other Body': An Oral History of Wizkid's 'Essence'". Rolling Stone.
  15. ^ "Views from the Studio: Producer P2J Discusses 'The Lion King: The Gift' Album". 27 August 2019.
  16. ^ "Grammy Award Results for Beyoncé Giselle Knowles". The Recording Academy. Archived from the original on April 10, 2021. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
  17. ^ Shafer, Ellise (14 March 2021). "Grammys 2021 Winners List". Variety. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
  18. ^ "Rolling Stone Names Wizkid, Tems and P2J's "Essence" Top Song of 2021". 6 December 2021.
  19. ^ "Jorja Smith, Central Cee & More Take Home 2021 GRM Rated Awards: Full Winners List". Billboard.
  20. ^ "Wizkid, Burnaboy, oda Nigerian artists wey dey 2022 Grammy nomination". BBC News Pidgin. Retrieved 2021-11-23.
  21. ^ "The A&R Awards 2023: The finalists revealed!". Music Business Worldwide. 26 September 2023. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  22. ^ "The A&R Awards 2023: All The Winners". Music Business Worldwide. 8 November 2023. Retrieved 9 January 2024.