Pheelz is an enigma in the Nigerian music scene. If the seasoned record producer and singer-songwriter chose to retire in 2021, the year he released his debut project as an artiste, his impact would still be profound, thanks to his remarkable contributions as a seasoned record producer. With an enviable production discography, Pheelz has left an indelible mark on the contemporary music scene. Notably, he played a pivotal role in creating the majority of six albums for YBNL head honcho, Olamide. Three of these albums clinched the ‘Album of the Year’ award at the Headies, solidifying Pheelz’s reputation as a virtuoso in his craft. Each of these albums are important blocks, not only to Olamide’s legacy but also to the elevation of Street pop music in Nigeria.
Beyond his work with Olamide, Pheelz has major footprints on albums by Fireboy DML, Adekunle Gold, Lil Kesh, Teni, Darey. Furthermore, he has produced singles for Davido, Vector, Reekado Banks cementing his status as a powerhouse within the Nigerian music landscape.
Since transitioning into a recording artist, Pheelz has made significant strides, releasing two EPs and bagging numerous hits, solidifying his position as one of Afrobeats’ leading exports. While his solo efforts are a testament to his groundedness as a musician, his collaborative efforts with other artistes are always a cultural moment. His breakthrough single, ‘Finesse’ (with BNXN) was an instant hit, garnering over 19 million views on TikTok before release. In its debut week, “Finesse” peaked at number ten on the US World Digital Song Sales chart. The song has now earned platinum certification from the RIAA for surpassing 1 million copies sold in the United States.
Since ‘Finesse’, Pheelz has gone on to work with Davido, Young Jonn, Olamide, and most recently, Usher. Crossing genres from Hip-Hop to electronic, R&B, Pop, and alternative, his collaborations are a testament to his versatility and artistic genius. In this article, we revisit some of Pheelz’s finest collaborations ranging from chart-topping hits to lesser known gems.
7. Vector, m.i abaga, pheelz – ‘crown of clay’
Easily one of the most important Nigerian rap songs of the 21st century. Following a highly published beef between the two hip hop heavyweights, they finally come together to create this song. Pheelz had previously collaborated with both artists, having produced and been credited as a featured artist on Vector’s 2013 single, ‘Popular’, and also contributing to M.I’s album ‘The Chairman’ with the production of ‘Human Being’.
In ‘Crown of Clay’, Pheelz’s multifaceted talent manifests. He not only created the beat but also provided backing vocals and delivered the hook. The single, released days after his debut Ep, ‘Hear Me Out’, was a defining moment in his transition into a recording artist.
6. Pheelz, young jonn – ‘jelo’
In an interview with WeTalkSound, Pheelz revealed how he met Young Jonn and consequently introduced him into the YBNL fold. Similar to Pheelz, Young Jonn started as a young producer at the record label before transitioning to the other end of the booth, finding success with singles, ‘Dada’, ‘Normally’, ‘Aquafina’, among others. It is no surprise that when Pheelz sought to chronicle his journey to the top, Jiggy was the ideal collaborator.
Once again, Pheelz’s expertise shines through in every aspect of the song, from its concise songwriting to the beautiful melodies, all set against stellar production.
5. Bryce vine, pheelz – ‘help’
One of the lesser-known Pheelz’s collaborations that deserves more noise. Bryce Vine is an American rapper and singer. His debut album, ‘Carnival’, was released in 2019, and features two Billboard Hot 100 charting tracks.
‘Help’ is an electro-pop track, featured on Bryce’s 2023 EP, Serotonin. It sees both artiste articulate their resolution to move forward following the bitter end of a relationship. Pheelz’s remarkable verse showcases his versatility, proving his ability to excel across genres beyond Afro pop and RnB, where he has previously made his mark.
4. Pheelz, bnxn – ‘finesse’
Witty lyrics, Football references, Crowd vocals, and a TikTok snippet. That’s the story of how ‘Finesse’ became a global smash, marking Pheelz’s breakthrough moment in the music industry. Kudos to Bnxn for delivering a fitting verse that elevates the song’s brilliance even further.
Shoutout to producer Michkel for a genius production too.
3. Yimeeka, pheelz – ‘smooth criminal’
‘Smooth Criminal’ is a single off Yimeeka’s debut project, ‘Alter Ego’. Pheelz is reminiscing on an intimate rendezvous with his muse, as he declares, ‘Last night was the best night of my life’. He punctuates the emotions with his signature laid-back vocal delivery.
‘Smooth Criminal’ was produced by Yimeeka with co-production by Pheelz.
Pheelz, davido – ‘electricity’
‘Electricity’ is the quintessential Afropop banger. It is a perfect fit both for the club and Nigerian owambe parties. The song’s one-of-a-kind production owes its brilliance to the collective efforts of Pheelz, P. Prime, TMXO. With a beat like that, delivering subpar verses is simply out of the question. Pheelz and Davido definitely enjoyed making this one, feeding off each other’s energy to create this high-octane yet relaxing song.
1. Usher, pheelz – ‘ruin’
This is an instant favorite. Leading up to his Super Bowl Halftime performance and the release of his ninth studio album, Usher unveiled this infectious single featuring Pheelz, who also has producer credits for the song. Despite the bittersweet theme, the infusion of Afrobeats and Amapiano elements transforms the track into a musical treat.
Pheelz’s brief but impactful cameo can only be described as a chef’s kiss, adding an extra layer of flavor to Usher’s legendary crooning.
