P.Priime’s journey through the industry has been idiosyncratic. With over four years of producing hit songs for Afrobeats artists including DJ Cuppy, Olamide, Zlatan, Fireboy, Teni, and playing the role of a model figure to other young creative people, P.Priime has been able to prove beyond doubts that age really is but a number.
Born Peace Emmanuel Oredope, P.Priime started manifesting his love for music when his brother taught him to drum in 2006. He was four years old. His father used to head the Boys’ Brigade band of his church and that served as a foundation for his music. A decade and a half after that, he has become a force to reckon with in Afrobeats music production – especially after his works on ‘Carpe Diem’, an LP by popular indigenous rapper and YBNL label boss, Olamide.
“I started music when I was 4 with drums. I started very early and you can say I come from a musical family. So basically, music has just always been a part of me. I moved on to playing the piano when I turned eight and started producing at 15.”
He said to me that afternoon in his studio, not failing to gesticulate with his hands as he pronounced every word with resplendent calmness. This is the typical Priime – strikingly good-looking and with a calm demeanour that can seemingly quench the hottest of tensions.
Even though he had been in the game for way longer, people didn’t really get to know this 18-year-old until he made DJ Cuppy’s ‘Gelato’ in 2019. Ever since he began making beats and blending them lucidly with vocals of artistes in 2017, P.Priime never stopped working.
“I created three beats for ‘Gelato’ because Zlatan wasn’t satisfied with the first two. After making the third one, I knew that it was definitely it. When he (Zlatan) came into the room and was like, ‘sick, sick, mad one, let’s do this!’, we started vibing and we gave birth to Gelato. We sent it to Cuppy, she did her part and then we linked up to add finishing touches.”
P.Priime spent years and countless hours learning to master his craft and find his style. This venture of wanting to be better at producing led him in 2018 to the Sarz Academy, an outfit by ace producer, Sarz that trains young music makers to become better at what they do. Up till date even years after the academy, P.Priime gives Sarz the reverence of a father.
Still, Priime’s sound is different. In a very much saturated industry, he has been able to utilize the best tools and his abilities to establish a distinction between his style and that of other equally oomph producers in the game.
“From one’s choice of music, you can always tell their personality. So like, I am a calm person. From my music, you would be able to tell that I’m a very calm and reserved person. That is why I use Blue Rhodes on the piano in most of my work. The sound is warm and eases me so I tend to use it a whole lot.”
The flaming desire for growth could be seen even through the shades he wore as we had the conversation. Since he started doing music professionally and now, the champ has experienced so much growth in his art and still yearns for even more. This trait is necessary for survival in not just Nigeria’s entertainment industry, but generally any field at all in life.
Can you remember the first track you produced? What was it like?
Yeah. I still have it on my hard drive. I still know what it sounds like. It feels like yesterday, actually because I remember I was in my bedroom with my earphones, laptop and everything. It’s been roughly four years since then. However, the first hit song I worked on was ‘Gelato’.
What was it like working with Olamide on that project?
It felt like I was working with someone that knew what he wanted, but had the spirit of an upcoming artist because the ginger was crazy. Olamide made me feel at home. That’s like the thing with music for me. I have to feel like, ‘oh yea, we are guys right now.’ He actually trusted me with the sound. He let me do me and everything was quite easy. There was no pressure and it wasn’t forced or anything. We were basically just having a good time. That’s how ‘Carpe Diem’ came about for me and Olamide.
Your tag, ‘Giddem’. What’s its birth story?
Well, I was working with an artist and I was going through sound packs when I came across that one. It wasn’t just ‘Giddem’ though. It was something longer, but I just cut out that part and loved the sound of it. When I feel like I’m getting to another level in my career, I would like to introduce something new.
How do you feel when you walk on the road and you hear your tag on any track off Carpe Diem?
I smile. Sometimes, I call my sister or brother and they are like, ‘are you just knowing you worked on the project now?’ (laughs). It’s a great feeling. Especially because everybody loves it and vibes to it.
The industry is very saturated. How does your sound stand out from the others?
My melodies – they speak the truth. My melodies strike something within you. There’s no way you would listen to my job and not feel something.
Before limelight, were there limitations that came because of your age?
Errm, let’s begin with the girls. (Laughs). Omo, when nothing is popping with you, no girl wants to give you time. Not when you still dey find admission into school. Although, I had girls still. I think I’m actually quite good with words. I’m not a Yoruba Demon, but I enjoy their company. As regards production, I think most people were actually more surprised about my age than they tried to run shady with me. And for those that tried to play shady, I had my management to defend me. Especially because I had the capability to do the things I needed to do, age regardless.
Do you have any thoughts on ageism?
No disrespect, but fuck age. Fuck whoever is trying to take advantage of young people or not give them the opportunities they deserve. If what they are asking for is what is delivered, I see no reason why young people should be insulted or looked down upon.
Any word to other young creators?
Don’t kiss anybody’s ass. Keep working and what is for you will come to you. Always pray for guidance and pray to make the right decisions. Know when to be cocky and when to say ‘let me just let this one pass’. Weigh your options.
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