The Hottest African Producers Right Now

A celebration of the people who are making African music tick right now, featuring P.Priime, GuiltyBeatz, Soundkraft and more.

Photo courtesy of GuiltyBeatz.

Producers are the backbone of every musical tradition. Through their composition and curation, they provide a sonic background for the artist to shine — they are as important to music creation as the singers.

In the African music ecosystem, producers have endured a tumultuous journey for recognition. Once considered as background pieces, paid in a one-time fee for their beats, now more producers are aware of their roles as co-creators. In Nigeria, Sarz was influential in raising the bar and consciousness across the board. He also groomed several other beat makers who are now superstars in their own right, who now insist on the protection of their intellectual property.

As always, producers this year have been influential in shaping the soundscape of Afropop. Tasked with seeking new pockets within already-existing sounds, the producers on this list have gone the extra mile, supplying transcendental beats to their artists but also giving attention to their own personal career, either through their choice of projects (and the level of engagement) or increasing brand awareness.

From Nigeria to Kenya and South Africa, and other African countries, we have put together this list of the hottest producers in Africa right now.

P.Priime (Nigeria)

P.Priime’s range is ridiculous. He’s worked with everyone, from Asa and Wizkid to Rema, and there’s no telling who’s up next. Shifting to fit the ideations of his musician, Priime brings top-level expertise to each session, informed by the depth of experiences he’s garnered since 2020 when he made his mark on the popular consciousness. In 2024, Priime’s most remarkable achievement was his work on Rema’s HEIS, an ambitious project whose vibrance is largely owed to him.

Soundkraft (Kenya)

One of the most inimitable figures in the Kenyan music scene, Soundkraft has been working for a long while. A composer, mix engineer and live DJ, he wears many hats within the soundscape, a fullness of perspective that has made his music resonate across East Africa where he’s now become a household name. In 2022, Soundkraft got his break producing on Kushman’s project, Nawacha Pombe. Since then he’s added other hits to his discography, most popularly “Tiktoker,” which ruled airwaves late last year and into early 2024. An edgy dancehall record, its rap-streaked verses carry a distinct flavor that polishes its hit attributes.

Yasso (Nigeria)

The impact of Yasso is strongly felt within a unique section of Nigerian music. He creates pop-leaning records for singers who are R&B at heart — Yemi Alade, Chike, Oxlade, Ric Hassani and several others have sought his mastery. A longtime aficionado of sound, Yasso’s musical journey started as a drummer in the late ‘90s, and by the middle of the next decade, he had learned some basic aspects of music production. Now, Yasso is one of the most trusted hands around, a close collaborator to some of the most soulful artists.

GuiltyBeatz (Ghana)

When GuiltyBeatz released the Different EP in 2020, producer tapes weren’t as widespread as they are today. It was an on-brand move for the Ghanaian producer, who has deftly worked his path from the periphery of Afro consciousness to its center, contributing a unique flavor to its intermingling sounds. Nowadays Guilty Beatz is acclaimed for his work with Tems, initially working on the singer’s sophomore tape, If Orange Was A Place. On Born in the Wild, her acclaimed debut album, Guilty Beatz contributes majorly to the achievement of its stirring soul.

P2J (Nigeria)

P2J’s discography is so vast, it seems insufficient to restrict him to his Afrobeats production. But he excels here, from his early collaborations with Tiwa Savage and down to his historic work on Made in Lagos, he’s become synonymous with a certain kind of Afropop beat: mid-tempo and masterfully composed. His sense of composition has been a defining trait, and in his recent beats, his antenna has grown even sharper, as he’s now keen on taking more experiments. His work on Victony’s “Anita” and “Sunday School” is sufficient proof, as is his production work for Tyla and Ayra Starr, reflecting prime versatility within the same soundscape.

Prince Kaybee (South Africa)

When the discussion about hot South African producers comes up, names like Kabza De Small and DJ Maphorisa tend to be mentioned, but Prince Kaybee is as important a curator as those two and anyone else. A consistent figure, his discography calls up an impressive resume of singer-songwriters, not just in South Africa but Southern Africa as a broader region. His takes on house music have been paired with broader influences, which have resulted in Kaybee working with a vast range of artists. This year he’s been typically brilliant, following up last year’s Music Theory with impressive singles like “Sorry Not Sorry.”

Dibs (Nigeria)

Few producers are as potent as Dibs presently. In a short period of time, he has become one of the most recognizable figures around, producing a slew of records for Vibez Inc., the record label founded by Seyi Vibez. On “Doha,” one of the fastest-penetrating records right now, Dibs creates a striking sonic palette for the enigmatic superstar. A vivid attentiveness is perceived, which has made his “yo, Dibs!” tag quite popular right now. His biggest record so far has come this year, on Burna Boy’s “Higher.” Currently the highest-ranked song in Nigeria, its success owes a lot to the subtle groove of Dibs’ production, its sparse arrangement and unique feeling.

M.O.G Beatz (Ghana)

In the past decade, few producers have held down the Ghanaian music scene as strongly as M.O.G Beatz. He’s produced for everyone, from Sarkodie to Kizz Daniel, Darkovibes and King Promise. And showing no signs of slowing down, M.O.G Beatz remains one of the hottest producers in Africa. Last year’s “Pay As You Go” featuring Camidoh and Sarkodie was his debut single, but the producer has long curated his image and perception. In February of this year, he was signed onto Sony Music Publishing, a move intended to spur “ongoing acceleration in its global African footprint.”

Major League Djz (South Africa)

This twin duo Major League Djz are some of the biggest influencers in the world of amapiano and electronic music at large. From crafting banging numbers which made them a household name in their native South Africa, the siblings have gone on to collaborate with the world’s finest, using their frequent tours as a creative spur. “Mine For The Night,” their collaboration with American rapper Wiz Khalifa, was a sterling showcase of how malleable their amapiano sound is. Currently on tour, Major League was also recently announced as creative partners of boohooMAN, the clothing outfit that’s previously collaborated with Tekno and Burna Boy.

Element Eleeeh (Rwanda)

If you’ve heard a hit song from Rwanda, chances are that you’ve listened to an Element Eleeeh production. A maverick, he’s had a hand in a great number of hits that have emerged from the country since 2020, and he’s continued to uphold impressively high standards for his work. Now he’s getting attention beyond East Africa, working with artists which include Ross Kana and Bruce Melodie (on the smash hit “FOU DE TOi”), and several others. On “MiLELE,” the producer’s new record, he builds an entire world around his signature guitar melodies, creating a fresh expression that’s quite distinct to what’s found across African pop music.

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