NIGERIAN PRODUCER AND MIXER TAGS
A core part of music, as a culture are beat tags. While some producers –like Timbaland, Danjahandz, Swizz, Dre, Mustard, Nasty and LVM, 40 — have that uncanny ability to make their beats know, even without beat tags, but through the uniqueness of sounds, regardless of genre, others need beat tags, because their sounds are more pliable in style. On their own, beat tags can endear a track more to its listener because people have a likeness for certain producers. There’s also the task a beat tag fulfills, that of branding, akin to a trademark of sorts.
This article was inspired on a Tuesday night with insomnia as a parasitic ally, I kept myself engaged by writing poetry. An off the cuff search on google to help locate a reference to facilitate my crafting of an entendre chaperoned me to two articles on producer tags, or drops if you may. While I was reading the article I immediately hit up T and told him “Guy…. let’s do (an article on) Nigerian producers tags” less than an hour later with intermittent jokes serving as punctuations, we had a healthy list. The truth is we called these tags from memory and that led to the realization as to how we have these producer tags engrained into our minds unknowingly. Thus, we realized that while beat tags are just good, some are just corny, even though their owners are brilliant. Purely on the run, we decided to come up with some of the best, powerful and endearing beat tags in Nigerian music, just for the culture; nothing mega. We want you to enjoy this list with us and say these tags out loud with the best imitation that you can pull off and see how you feel.
It is with great pleasure we share that list with you today. Without further ado…
- Sess problem kid: Currently one the best in Nigeria; it’s unique, it’s fresh and it’s sharp. This tag is executed by Falz and that made me wonder which song it first appeared on.
- Masterkraft on the beat /GO: An underrated Nigerian sonic master, Masterkraft already had hits under his belt producing for the late Goldie but his recent behind the board magic on songs for Banky W, Phyno, The Flavor Nabania and CDQ are distinguished.
- Ladies and gentlemen Kay Solo’s productions: This tag guided Timaya’s dominace and winning streak and one of the most powerful between 2005–2010.
- It’s Don Jazzy Again!!! Even if this one was wack, the pedigree of its proprietor gives it radiant beauty; a human sentiment… sigh.
- It’s Cheepho on the beat: Albeit for a very short time, this tag was good and accompanies great sound.
6. Kido… Kido… Kiddominant:
He has credits for Orezi especially, he has helped champion Orezi’s sound
7. Beats… By… Sarz… or Sarz on the beat or Really:
Don’t act like you don’t know.
8. Selebobo on the beat/ Selebobo dey here — Selebobo
Another underrated sonic canvasser; his tags are often delivered by a bionic sounding or bass enhanced voice, but instances abound where the performing artist harmonizes it, case in point Yemi Alade on ‘Na go de’.
9. Major Bangz:
The king of hard-hitting kicks and bass drums. He might be synonymous with our Eastern Brothers, but it doesn’t decrease his brilliance. His tag is usually worded by the Rapper, like Phyno.
10. It’s Young John the wicked producer — Young John
Except you’ve been living under a rock in Antarctica from fear of Polar Bears you should know who this is.
11. Whaaaat! — Frenzy
It’s been a minute since we heard anything from the man responsible for ILL Bliss’ you go wound, he also cooked up some fire for Da grin and 2 Much alongside Dj Jimmy Jatt. Still, his stag is still the sharpest.
12. Classic — Spax
This year, he’s graced my ears officially with his work on SDC’s Palm Wine Ep.
13. Sossick on the beat -Sossick
A pioneer Hip Hop producer needs no introduction but if you doubt his ability, check out his impressive catalogue while paying special attention to his work with Da grin, Naeto C and Eva Alordiah. I knew he was the man when Da grin boasted that he made 70 beats in a week.
14. Amazing- Kid Konnect
Everyone’s favorite experimental Hip Hop producer; he has credits working with everybody from Terry tha Rapman to Show Dem Camp
15. Pheelz on the beat…/ Pheelz Mr Producer
Rated one time as the best afrobeat/hippop producers of his time. The “Awon Goonz Mi” crooner has set a pace for himself . being one of the pioneer stakeholders of the YBNL family he has created lots of magic with his FL and Cubase for the past ages
16. Shiiiiizei!!!
He needs no introduction because res ipsa loquitor.
17. Berry Pon Dis
You know who this is…..NEXT!
18. It’s Jesse Jags baby
One of the most clichéd tags; spoken in computer generated baritone effect, it never hampers its proprietor’s brilliance however.
19. Speeellz! Help me say amin o…amin!!
20. Gospel on the beat…
“Girl we fight and quarrel”….. The rest is history.
21. I need that Magic — Studio Magic
As crisp a tag as they come.
22. Legendary Beats!
This duo of amazing producers is at the helm of the bangers emanating out of Star Boy. However I reckon their credits on Skales’ Take care of me is one of their finest offerings.
23. Sheyman on the Mix
Another pioneer of sorts…remember. There’s even a shout out version that extends to “shayman on the mix, I’m the king of melody”
24. Mixing Zeno Foster
Before you guys start asking if I’ve forgotten what I’m doing by highlighting folks who mix, permit me to quip this in, “mixing is an Integral facet in the engineering phase of a sound, mixing is where Frog voices are corrected. Ok bye!”
P.S — One of the more serious sounding tags in the industry.
25. Suspect on the mix
It’s tough pinning down an actual signature for Da Suspect but we settled for this due to it’s frequency of appearance.
26. Chooopstix!
This beat tag is the auditory equivalent of Nia Long whispering in your ear. What’s that? You said what now? I don’t know how that feels? You’ll hear from my lawyer.
27. It’s Leriq call the Paramedic
Another entry into the tags voiced by a female category. It’s sharp, it rhyme. and we like it
28. Jay Martin’s
It was a bit tricky deciding where to place this, to the innocent observer it’s a self shout out akin to Wayne yelling “tunechi” or M.I saying “it’s that short black boy”. The discovery that he produces as well led us to include it.
29. Puffy Tee
An OG in the production sphere. His tag is delivered with a baritone like voice, it’s intrusive and makes you take note.
30. Eldee ee ee ee
This man just went zero to 100 on us with his music, he’s recognized as a pioneer on so many fonts from music production to video directing. I long to hear that beat that one more time.
31. IDeeeeee Cabasa!
If you remember Gonga Aso, this is the person who created it.
His tag doesn’t take a specific form but it’s always someone calling out his name.
32. Terry G’s Productions
Pinning this down was tough, there was a healthy debate as to which tag was more repetitive at the end we chose this because it was either this or the bell. P.S Are we the only ones who spot the Small Doctor similarities?
33. Iiiiiiikon! -IKON (With the delay, echo and reverb effects)
Hands down my favorite beat drop/tag, the delivery is as smooth as they come and there’s the habit of placing it in different positions, so just when you think there’s no tag…voila.
34. It’s D’Tunes again o- D Tunes. if you don’t know him, you at least know Sean Tizzle. He produced at least 50% of his discography . His xylophone influenced sound is lush and his beat tag is always warmly recited.
35. Jay Sleeky Sleeky, OJO- J.Sleek.
Honorable Mention:
This is football anything can happen- Dj Exclusive.
I’m sticking my neck out to include this tag. My editor says he’s not a producer So I battled to have this tag included cuz of its sheer reminder of the unpredictable nature of football.
By Nico for UrbanCentral follow him on Twitter @WordsbyAG
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