Princewill Emmanuel (born February 26, 2002), professionally known as Alpha P, is a Nigerian rapper and singer-songwriter signed to Penthauze.[3] Previously, he was signed to Universal Music West Africa (formerly Universal Music Group Nigeria), an imprint of Universal Music Group, in 2019. That same year, he rose to fame with his debut extended play, King of the Wolves.[4] He gained international recognition with his 2024 single "W", featuring Nigerian rapper Olamide and record producer Thisizlondon.
Alpha P | |
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Birth name | Princewill Emmanuel[1] |
Born | Benin City, Edo, Nigeria | February 26, 2002
Genres | |
Occupations |
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Years active | 2019–present |
Labels | Penthauze |
Early life
editAlpha P was born in Benin City, Edo State, and raised in the city's Southside.[5] At age 12, he began making music, drawing inspiration from his early experiences writing songs in the church choir, which sparked a deep passion for the art.[6] Growing up, Alpha P's musical influences included Wizkid, Wande Coal, D'banj, Banky W., Eminem, Drake, and Jaden Smith.[7] Despite not being part of the choir, he relocated to Lagos to pursue a professional music career.[8]
Career
edit2019–2020: Career beginnings and record deals
editAlpha P began his music career in 2019, performing in churches alongside fellow artist Rema. After RNA (comprising Rema and Alpha P) disbanded, Bizzle Osikoya, former A&R executive at Mavin Records, facilitated Alpha P's record deal with Universal Music Group Nigeria (now marketed as. Universal Music West Africa) in 2019.[9][10] Alpha P gained momentum and was featured on Tomi Owó's single "Number One" on October 18, 2019, which was included on the MTV Shuga Naija soundtrack.[11][12] On September 6, 2019, during his media tour promoting King Of The Wolves, Alpha P visited Soundcity 98.5 Lagos and discussed his EP and its inspiration with Sheye Banks.[13] On November 15, 2019, Alpha P signed a recording contract with Universal Music, which coincided with the release of his debut extended play, King Of The Wolves.[14] On December 19, 2019, Alpha P released the music video for "Paloma", the second track from his debut EP, shot by Dalia Dias.[15][16]
In January 2020, Connect Nigeria named "Radar", a track from Alpha P's King Of The Wolves EP, Song of the Week.[17] On February 8, 2020, Alpha P delivered a live performance of "More" on Cool FM's AUX Africa show.[18] YouTube hosted its Online African Music Festival, Stay Home... #WithMe on March 28, 2020, amidst the lockdown, featuring Alpha P's performance of his entire King Of The Wolves EP from Universal Music Studio in Lagos.[19] He then released the remix of "Paloma" featuring DJ Tunez and D3an on May 13, 2020. The remix sparked controversy as fans drew comparisons between the song and Rema's hit single "Dumebi".[20] On July 10, 2020, Alpha P was featured on Ricky Tyler's "Peachnut".[21][22] In September 2020, he released the single "Quarantine", which later became the lead single for his project Wolves & Mustangs, Vol. 1.[23][24] Released subsequently, Wolves & Mustangs, Vol. 1 featured four tracks, including a collaboration with PsychoYP.[25]
2021–present: Welcome To The Pack EP
editAlpha P released "Oh No" on June 11, 2021.[26][27] Later that month, on June 25, he was featured on Justin Bieber's "Peaches Remix" alongside Omah Lay and Masterkraft.[28][29] The remix charted at number 7 on Nigeria's Songs of Summer Chart.[30] In November 2021, Alpha P was featured on DJames' song "Whine," produced by DJames and Michael Walls.[31] On August 25, 2022, Alpha P collaborated with DJ Tunez, Wizkid, and Tay Iwar on "Majo".[32] The track debuted at number 12 on the UK Afrobeats Singles Chart and number 7 on Nigeria's Apple Music chart.[33] Alpha P was featured on Y.D.A's "SADE" remix alongside King Perryy on October 20.[34] In November, he released "Veronica" featuring Babyboy AV and produced by Blaisebeatz.[35]
After a quiet 2023, Alpha P signed a record deal with Phyno's Penthauze Records on August 23, 2024.[36] His debut single under the label, "W," featured rapper Olamide and produced Thisizlondon.[37] This single was included on his second EP, Welcome To The Pack, released on September 6, 2024.[38][39] Welcome To The Pack boasts appearances from Olamide, London, and Kemuel.[40]
Discography
editExtended plays
editTitle | Details | Peak chart positions |
---|---|---|
NGR [41] | ||
King of the Wolves[42] |
|
— |
Wolves & Mustangs, Vol. 1[43] |
|
— |
Welcome To The Pack[44] |
|
— |
Singles
editTitle | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NG |
UK |
US | ||||
"W" | 2024 | 43 | — | — | Welcome To The Pack |
References
edit- ^ A.S.M (October 25, 2019). "Alpha P Profile". African Music Library. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
- ^ Theo, Thompson (September 16, 2024). "Alpha P Biography, Songs, & Albums". ASBO MAG. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
- ^ Up, Darlene (November 30, 2022). "Boy Ocean Enlists Alpha P's Help On Debut 'If'". Upperent. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
- ^ "Essentials: Alpha P breaks into the mainstream with debut project, 'King of the Wolves'". The NATIVE. December 8, 2019. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
- ^ Booth (February 2, 2021). "From Benin to the World, This is Alpha P". Retrieved October 17, 2024.
- ^ Stephen Kenechi (August 14, 2021). "INTERVIEW: Alpha P talks rap scene struggles, UMG record deal". TheCable. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
- ^ Marvelous (June 21, 2022). "Upper Spotlight – Alpha P". Upperent. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
- ^ Leah Cates (November 11, 2020). "Alpha P is confident that he'll become "one of the biggest artists this world has ever seen."". 1883 Magazine. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
- ^ Nelson C.J. (September 9, 2020). "Alpha P Is Ready to Take Afrobeats to the Next Level". OkayAfrica. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
- ^ Rehana Harmony (November 12, 2020). "In Talks With Nigeria's Genre-Defying Star: Alpha P". M.M. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
- ^ Tami Makinde (October 18, 2019). "Tomi Owo and Alpha P's new single "Number One" is the MTV Shuga soundtrack". The Native. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
- ^ BN (October 24, 2019). "Tomi Owo & Alpha P got featured on MTV Shuga Naija's Soundtrack". BellaNaija. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
- ^ (anonymous) (September 6, 2019). "Alpha P, 17-Year-old prodigy shares his come-up story, Rema comparison, 'King of Wolves' EP on 'What's Up Lagos'". Soundcity TV. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
- ^ Tami Makinde (November 15, 2019). "Universal Music Group Nigerian's Act Alpha P makes his mark on the scene with new EP, 'King of Wolves'". The Native. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
- ^ Rotimi Agbana (December 26, 2019). "Alpha P Releases First Official Music Video, 'Paloma'". Independent Nigeria. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
- ^ T.D. (December 24, 2019). "Alpha P Releases First Video, Paloma". This Day. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
- ^ Tochi Onwubiko (January 14, 2020). "Song of the Week – Radar by Alpha P". Connect Nigeria. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
- ^ "Alpha P More on AUX Africa". AUX Africa. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
- ^ Rufaro Samanga (March 27, 2020). "The "Stay Home... #WithMe" Festival Schedule March 28-29 edition Alpha P". OkayAfrica. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
- ^ Peter Okh (May 13, 2020). "Alpha P, DJ Tunez & D3AN - Paloma (Remix)". NotJustOk. Archived from the original on June 16, 2020. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
- ^ Benewaah (July 10, 2020). "Ricky Tyler collaborates with Alpha P on Peachnut". Harmattan Rain. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
- ^ Ano Shumba (July 11, 2020). "Listen to Ricky Tyler's Peachnut featuring Alpha P". Music In Africa. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
- ^ Kenneth (September 16, 2020). "ALPHA P RETURNS NEW SINGLE "QUARANTINE"". Top Africa News. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
- ^ Robin Murray (September 21, 2020). "Alpha P's 'Quarantine' Is About Breaking Down Barriers". Clash. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
- ^ Peter Okhide (November 11, 2020). "Alpha P dishes out new EP, 'Wolves & Mustangs Vol. 1'". NotJustOk. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
- ^ Ben Boddez (June 12, 2021). "Alpha P Transforms A Vision Into A Vibe with "Oh No"". Range. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
- ^ Byron (June 16, 2021). "Alpha P's winning streak continues as he releases "Oh No"". 49th Street. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
- ^ Tami Makinde (June 25, 2021). "Listen to the Masterkraft remix to Justin Bieber's "Peaches" featuring Omah Lay & Alpha P". The Native. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
- ^ Tonye Ekine (June 26, 2021). "Alpha P Brings The Fire On The Remix Of The Biggest Song Of The Summer, Justin Bieber's "Peaches"". Soundcity. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
- ^ TC (July 7, 2021). "Summer Nigeria Chart: Justin Bieber's "Peaches" moves to No. 7 on the Songs of the Summer Nigeria Chart following the release of Masterkraft Remix with Alpha P & Omah Lay". TurnTable. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
- ^ Wonu Osikoya (November 29, 2021). "Songs Of The Day: New Music From Zinoleesky, Alpha P, Bryan The Mensah & More". The Native. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
- ^ Peter Okhide (August 25, 2022). "DJ Tunez Collaborates With Wizkid, Alpha P & Tay Iwar on 'Majo'". NotJustOk. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
- ^ OCC (September 9, 2022). "MAJO". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
- ^ Youngstar (October 21, 2022). "Y.D.A drops a new song tagged "SADE (Remix)" ft. Alpha P & King Perryy". Xclusive Loaded. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
- ^ Peter Okhide (November 23, 2022). "Alpha P Collaborates With AV on New Single 'Veronica'". NotJustOk. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
- ^ HWA (August 26, 2024). "Nigeria: Alpha P joins Penthauze Music". Music in Africa. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
- ^ Adeniyi Adewoyin (August 30, 2024). "Alpha P features Olamide in a new single after joining Phyno's Penthauze". The Nation. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
- ^ Tayo Odutola (September 8, 2024). "Alpha P deliver new EP 'Welcome to the Pack'". Earmilk. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
- ^ G (September 9, 2024). "Alpha P makes vigorous comeback in "Welcome To The Pack"". The Guardian. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
- ^ Aimee Cherry Quarty (September 9, 2024). ""Alpha P Features Olamide, ThisIzLondon, and Kemuel on New EP WELCOME TO THE PACK". 3Music TV. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
- ^ "TurnTable Nigeria Top 100". TurnTable Charts. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
- ^ "Review of Alpha P's EP "King of the Wolves"". The Guardian Nigeria News. December 23, 2019. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
- ^ Peter (November 11, 2020). "Alpha P's Wolves & Mustangs, Vol. 1 Is A Hearty And Heavy Take On His Life". Culture Custodian. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
- ^ Charlotte Gornall (October 1, 2024). "Welcome To The Pack by Alpha P". Notion. Retrieved October 17, 2024.