Written By Peace
Korean pop has captivated many with catchy melodies; synchronized, learnable dances, and artists with captivating visuals. But has a K-pop song ever made you feel like home?
This is because languages, drums, waist dances, and many more culturally-unique aesthetics are infused into K-pop, representing billions globally. Though the K in K-pop stands for Korean, the industry also houses producers and songwriters not of Korean heritage.
There are Swedish producers like Cazzi Opeia and Ellen Berg (TXT’s De Ja Vu); British producers like AZODi and Marcus McCoan (BTS’s Mikrokosmos and Jamaica Vu); American producers like LDN Noise, Teddy Park (BLACKPINK’s Love Sick Girls), and Teddy Riley; and Indonesian producers like Mikha Angelo and Riani Sovana.
Africa is not entirely left out of this xxx. In this article, we will explore the journeys of eight producers and songwriters of African heritage who have worked on K-pop songs.
OLUWAYOMI EMMANUEL OREDEIN
Oluwayomi Emmanuel Oredein is a Nigerian multi-platinum Billboard singer-songwriter, vocal engineer and arranger, based in New York City, USA.
In 2021, his K-pop works were released. This includes “Sling Shot” by EPEX which he contributed to as a lyricist. He wrote “Eighteen (End of my world)”; track 6 on Bad Love: 1st Mini album by SHINee’s Key. The lyrics of “Eighteen” came to him on his way from work in 2019, which he saved up as a voice recording.
He composed the track “Focus” with NCT 127 for Sticker: The 3rd album. This was his first major label placement with over 2.12 million pre-orders, and the longest-charting album of 2021 on Billboard 200.
Outside of K-pop, Oluwayomi has worked on different Gospel songs as a vocal engineer. He has had live performances with American singer Chandler Moore for the songs “Omemma”, “Lead me on”, and “What I needed”. He was the composer, arranger and engineer of the track “Up to Something” by One house, Upperroom and co. He produced “For your grace” with Jaicko Lawrence, his fellow composer for the track “Focus” by NCT 127.
EBENEZER FABIYI
Born in London, England, to Nigerian parents, Ebenezer Olaoluwa Fabiyi is a multi-platinum award-winning producer, songwriter and rapper.
Ebenezer teamed up with SuperM for ‘1st Mini Album’ and WayV for ‘Kickback’ album as a songwriter and producer. He also contributed to the track “What If I had been that Puma?” by Tomorrow X Together for the same roles. The track was listed as a hybrid pop-rock album that received critical acclaim.
In 2023, he coacted with EXO on Exist – the 7th album as a composer and producer. The track “Cream Soda” saw Ebenezer composing with KZ. Weeks after its release, Cream Soda won first place on the music program Music Bank. EXIST: The 7th Album received ‘Album of the Year’ awards at the Mnet Asian Music and Golden Disc Awards.
Adding to his flair are his works with international acts outside the K-pop industry.
Ebenezer produced “Can’t Let You Go (Remix)” by Nigerian superstar Rema featuring Stefflon Don and Tiwa Savage. He co-wrote a track on Craig David’s Following my intuition album; “Here with me”. He also produced and programmed Ne-Yo’s “Self-explanatory”, and “What if”.
In an interview with Vipermag magazine, Ebenezer admitted to adopting influences from Nigerian culture into his music. “Some of the things I say are fresh but in terms of the culture, it’s reflected in my music; the way I produce. I like to have my drums; drums are so important to me. They make my music very rhythmic and add a nice groove to it”.
RAY MICHAEL JR.
Multi-platinum award-winning Ghanaian producer and songwriter, Ray Michael Djan, Jr., is the founder and owner of SW6one. SW6one is an active business with studios in Chelsea, London, and Aburi (Ghana). For years, he has worked with various artists, producing beats and creating award-winning sounds.
From 2016 to 2021, Ray Michael devoted his time to composing multi-platinum albums with BTS. He wrote “Intro: Serendipity” and “Best of me” (Love yourself: Her); “I’m Fine” and “Answer: Love myself” (Love yourself: the answer); “Save me” (The most beautiful moment in life: Young forever).
Love yourself: the answer, became the first Korean Album certified platinum, by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in 2020. The album also received a Gold certification for the track, “Mic Drop”.
Ray has also collaborated with acts from Nigeria (KSI), Ghana (DarrieWRLD), and India (Anushqa). KSI’s “Thick of it” was nominated for the song of the year award, at the BRIT Awards 2025. His studio, SW6one, contributed to Nigerian act Burna boy’s album; Love, Damini. The album bagged a Gold certification from RIAA for selling over 500,000 units in the U.S. It became the African album with the most official certification in history; 5x Platinum in Nigeria.
As a co-founder of Collection Magazine, he hosted Warner Africa and Atlantic UK’s first joint writing camp in Ghana, in January 2024. “I am trying to reconnect with who I am as a Ghanaian. My name is Nana Kwame. I was born on a Saturday in Ghana, and my father was the Ghanaian Ambassador to the UK…”, he said in an interview with Views podcast in 2021.
KWAME “KZ” KWEI-ARMAH JR.
A songwriter based in London, England, UK; he was born Kwame Kwei-Armah Jr., and is known by his stage name KZ. He is a Ghanaian Grammy-nominated, BAFTA award-winning composer and record producer.
Engaging in the production of “Cream Soda” with Ebenezer Fabiyi and EXO was his major contribution to K-pop. His engagement involved sound composition and production.
He has worked with Ghana’s Amaarae, Kojey Radical, and Stormzy; Nigeria’s Rema; America’s BabyFace and UK’s Arrdee. He co-produced, “One Good Thing ft Amaarae”, for the ninth studio album by BabyFace. The album was nominated for the Best R&B album at the 66th Grammy Awards. He also contributed to the soundtrack for Marvel’s Black Panther; “Wakanda Forever”. The soundtrack was made in Nigeria under short notice, he disclosed to Union Black.
KZ won the Fiction Award for “Mood” at the 2023 Television Craft Awards, BAFTA – the British Academy of Film and Television Arts. This made him the first Black producer to win a BAFTA for his work on a BBC series.
JEFFREY THE KIDDD
Jeffrey Okyere-Twumasi is a Ghanaian talent, UK RnB star, and K-pop songwriter born and raised in London. He is a graduate of THE BRIT School; a performing art School whose alumni include Adele, and SevnDayz. His debut single “Stop it” was co-written with Bobii Lewis, another songwriter for K-pop artists.
Despite considering his journey into K-pop an accident, Jeffrey the KiDDD has written songs for SM Entertainment: “Miracle”, “Invincible”, “New Ride”, “Be alright”, and “Moonlight” for WayV; “Kiss” for NCT DOJAEJUNG; “Proud” for SHINee’s KEY, and “Kiss Kiss” for SHINee. The music video for the track “Miracle” by WayV has since gained over 8.7 million views on Youtube.
Before the accident, he started out as Misunderstood, with UK-based, Ghanaian K-pop songwriter and producer, SevnDayz. They performed at the 2019 Miss World final; X factor live shows; produced SuperM’s “Dangerous Woman”, and worked with legend Nile Rodgers. For their last moments as a duo, they attended an SM Entertainment August Writing Camp in 2022.
A die-hard fan of everything R&B, he poured his love into a five-track album. The titles of the tracks give the album away as a love letter: “Stop it”, “Bad intentions”, “Beautiful lie”, “Did it over”, and “Can I be honest?”.
“Diary of a F*ck Boy is the title of Jeffrey’s first full body of work – a conceptual EP that narrates themes of lust and temptation”, described Worldplay Magazine, during a Q/A with him.
DR. CHAII
Philip Kembo was born in Harare, Zimbabwe, where he studied at St. George’s, before leaving for England. He is a Grammy-nominated, award-winning composer, DJ, producer, and songwriter signed by Artist Publishing group in August 2016. He is based in Los Angeles, United States, and known by his stage name Dr. Chaii.
Dipping his toes into K-pop, he co-produced “Hot Sauce” by NCT Dream. Musically, it is described as a Latin music with Afrobeat-tinged hip-hop song. “Hot Sauce” received eight music program awards, which includes a triple crown on M Countdown. It was also nominated for “Best Dance Performance – Male Group” at the 2021 Mnet Asian Music Awards.
Prior to the dip, he ventured into production with the song “No lie” by Sean Paul and Dua Lipa. This showed off his ability to blend into any sound, and led to diverse collaborations. He co-produced Pitbull and J Balvin’s song “Hey Ma” featuring Camila Cabello, a Fast and Furious Soundtrack; and the track “Familia” was released for the movie, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. This was after a clean collaboration with Anuel AA and Nicki Minaj. The Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse soundtrack bagged a 2019 Grammy nomination, and multiple awards, including an Oscar, a Golden Globe, and a BAFTA.
The diverse Dr. of music was nominated for another 2019 Grammy Award for his work on J Balvin’s album Vibras — “Best Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album”. In the same year, he released his first single, which was featured on the FIFA 19 soundtrack; “Jackie Chan” (ft. Bantu). Not slowing down, he won the “Best Diaspora gong” at the 2023 Zimbabwe Music Awards; his first Zimbabwean award. He also worked on his extended play (EP) “Minister of Enjoyment”.
“Working with Fireboy and performing with him was one of the unique ways to experience the Nigerian culture…”, he said in conversation with Trevor.
SCRIBZ RILEY-MICHAEL ORABIYI
Born Michael Orabiyi in East London to Nigerian parents, Scribz Riley is a 2x Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter, R&B Crooner, and producer. He is also a brother to Talay Riley, a singer and songwriter.
Scribz Riley contributed to “Hear Me Out” for EXIST: the 7th album, as a writer and producer. Responding to the track, EXO-L fans heard him out, and received the song with positivity for its fresh and groovy R&B style.
Away from K-pop, Riley is known for his work on songs like “Ring” by Cardi B. ft Kehlani (Invasion of Privacy Album), and “Redemption” by Zacari (Black Panther Soundtrack).
Invasion of Privacy and Black Panther Soundtrack albums were both nominated for the 2019 Album of the year Grammy. Invasion of Privacy also bagged a 2019 Grammy Award for Best Rap Album.
While working for other acts, Scribz Riley worked on singles for himself; “Impress me” feat. Headie one, “East side”, “Wish me luck”, “Mandy”, and “Satisfied”.
LONDON
Grammy-nominated, Headies award-winning producer and writer, Michael Ovie Hunter was born Up North in Kaduna, Nigeria, in 1999. He was born to a Nigerian mother, and a British father; the latter led to his stage name LONDON. Following his signing with the label LVRN (Love Renaissance) in 2024, he goes by the name thisizlondon.
Though his primary genres are Afrobeats and Afropop, he ventured into K-pop by collaborating with K-rapper Lil Cherry for “PYE LIFE”. LiftedAsia described it as a futuristic Pop song with hints of K-pop, K-Hop, and a bit of Afrobeats thrown in for good measure.
Well known as one of Afrobeats’ hitmakers, LONDON has worked with artists like Rema, Ayra Starr, Tiwa Savage, and Wizkid. He produced “Turn Up” for DJ Tunes, which featured Wizkid and Reekado Banks. The track turned out to be his ticket to working on Wizkid’s Made in Lagos (Deluxe Edition) album as a co-producer. It was nominated for the “Best Global Music Album” in the 2022 Grammy Awards.
Serving as the executive producer for Rave & Roses; Rema’s debut studio album, he produced 14 songs. One of the tracks “Calm down”, earned him a nomination for the 2023 Headies “Producer of the Year” award. LONDON also did a remake of the song “Koroba” by Tiwa Savage for Amazon Studios, and Def Jam Recordings—following the release of the Coming 2 America soundtrack album.
“Every sound coming out of Africa has to be top tier. We can’t drop the bar right now that the limelight is on us. Now is the time to work two times harder. We want to start hearing Rihanna, Ye and the rest, on Afrobeats…”, LONDON with Culture custodian.
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