Alpha P
{{Short description|Nigerian singer-songwriter (born 2002)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Alpha P
| image =
| caption =
| birth_name = Princewill Emmanuel{{cite web|url=https://africanmusiclibrary.org/artist/Alpha%20P|title=Alpha P Profile|work=African Music Library|last=A.S.M|date=October 25, 2019|access-date=October 17, 2024}}
| alias =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|2002|2|26}}
| birth_place = Benin City, Edo, Nigeria
| origin =
| genre = {{flatlist|
- Afropop
- Afrobeats{{cite web |last1=Theo |first1=Thompson |title=Alpha P Biography, Songs, & Albums |url=https://www.asbomagazine.com/2024/09/16/new-music-alpha-p/ |website=ASBO MAG|date=September 16, 2024 |access-date=October 17, 2024 }}
- hip hop
- trap
}}
| occupation = {{flatlist|
- Rapper
- singer
- songwriter
}}
| years_active = 2019–present
| label = Penthauze
| website =
}}
Princewill Emmanuel (born February 26, 2002), professionally known as Alpha P, is a Nigerian rapper and singer-songwriter signed to Penthauze.{{Cite web |last=Up |first=Darlene |date=November 30, 2022 |title=Boy Ocean Enlists Alpha P's Help On Debut 'If'|url=https://www.theupperent.com/2022/11/30/boy-ocean-enlists-alpha-ps-help-on-debut-if/|access-date=October 17, 2024 |website=Upperent }} 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.{{cite web |title=Essentials: Alpha P breaks into the mainstream with debut project, 'King of the Wolves'|url=https://thenativemag.com/essentials-alpha-p-breaks-mainstream-debut-project-king-wolves/ |website=The NATIVE |access-date=October 17, 2024 |date=December 8, 2019}} He gained international recognition with his 2024 single "W", featuring Nigerian rapper Olamide and record producer Thisizlondon.
Early life
Alpha P was born in Benin City, Edo State, and raised in the city's Southside.{{cite web|author=Booth|title=From Benin to the World, This is Alpha P|url=https://djbooth.net/features/2021-02-02-alpha-p-interview-audiomack/|access-date=October 17, 2024|date=February 2, 2021}} 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.{{cite web|author=Stephen Kenechi|title=INTERVIEW: Alpha P talks rap scene struggles, UMG record deal|url=https://lifestyle.thecable.ng/interview-alpha-p-talks-rap-scene-struggle-umg-record-deal/|website=TheCable|access-date=October 17, 2024|date=August 14, 2021}} Growing up, Alpha P's musical influences included Wizkid, Wande Coal, D'banj, Banky W., Eminem, Drake, and Jaden Smith.{{cite web|author=Marvelous
|title=Upper Spotlight – Alpha P|url=https://www.theupperent.com/2022/06/21/upper-spotlight-alpha-p/|website=Upperent|access-date=October 17, 2024|date=June 21, 2022}} Despite not being part of the choir, he relocated to Lagos to pursue a professional music career.{{cite magazine|author=Leah Cates|title=Alpha P is confident that he'll become "one of the biggest artists this world has ever seen."|url=https://1883magazine.com/alpha-p/|magazine=1883 Magazine|access-date=October 17, 2024|date=November 11, 2020}}
Career
= 2019–2020: Career beginnings, record deals, ''King of the Wolves'', and ''Wolves & Mustangs, Vol. 1'' =
{{main|King of the Wolves}}
Alpha 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.{{cite web|author=Nelson C.J.|title=Alpha P Is Ready to Take Afrobeats to the Next Level|url=https://www.okayafrica.com/amp/alpha-p-interview-nigerian-music-2647537192|access-date=October 17, 2024|website=OkayAfrica|date=September 9, 2020}}{{cite web|author=Rehana Harmony|title=In Talks With Nigeria's Genre-Defying Star: Alpha P|url=https://www.mixtapemadness.com/blog/news/in-talks-with-nigerias-genre-defying-star-alpha-p|access-date=October 17, 2024|website=M.M|date=November 12, 2020}} 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.{{cite web|author=(anonymous)|title=Alpha P, 17-Year-old prodigy shares his come-up story, Rema comparison, 'King of Wolves' EP on 'What's Up Lagos'|url=https://soundcity.tv/rema-is-signed-to-the-biggest-label-in-nigeria-i-am-signed-to-the-biggest-label-in-world-alpha-p/|access-date=October 17, 2024|website=Soundcity TV|date=September 6, 2019}} 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.{{cite web|author=Tami Makinde|title=Tomi Owo and Alpha P's new single "Number One" is the MTV Shuga soundtrack|url=https://thenativemag.com/number-one-mtv-shuga-naija-soundtrack/|access-date=October 17, 2024|website=The Native|date=October 18, 2019}}{{cite web|author=BN|title=Tomi Owo & Alpha P got featured on MTV Shuga Naija's Soundtrack|url=https://www.bellanaija.com/2019/10/tomi-owo-alpha-b-on-mtv-shuga-naija-soundtrack-number-one/|access-date=October 17, 2024|website=BellaNaija|date=October 24, 2019}} On November 15, 2019, Alpha P release his debut extended play, King Of The Wolves through Universal Music.{{cite web|author=Tami Makinde|title=Universal Music Group Nigerian's Act Alpha P makes his mark on the scene with new EP, 'King of Wolves'|url=https://thenativemag.com/alpha-p-debut-ep-king-wolves-umg/|access-date=October 17, 2024|website=The Native|date=November 15, 2019}} On December 19, 2019, Alpha P released the music video for "Paloma", the second track from his debut EP, shot by Dalia Dias,{{cite web|author=Rotimi Agbana|title=Alpha P Releases First Official Music Video, 'Paloma'|url=https://independent.ng/alpha-p-releases-first-official-music-video-paloma/|access-date=October 17, 2024|website=Independent Nigeria|date=December 26, 2019}}{{cite web|author=T.D.|title=Alpha P Releases First Video, Paloma|url=https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2019/12/21/alpha-p-releases-first-video-paloma/|access-date=October 17, 2024|website=This Day|date=December 24, 2019}} which sparked controversy as fans drew comparisons between Rema's hit single "Dumebi", and Alpha P's "Paloma" on Twitter.{{cite web | url=https://notjustok.com/song/alpha-p-dj-tunez-d3an-paloma-remix/ | title=Alpha P, DJ Tunez & D3AN - Paloma (Remix) | publisher=NotJustOk | author=Peter Okh | date=May 13, 2020 | access-date=October 17, 2024 | archive-date=June 16, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200616012809/https://notjustok.com/song/alpha-p-dj-tunez-d3an-paloma-remix/ | url-status=dead }}
In January 2020, Connect Nigeria named "Radar", a track from Alpha P's King Of The Wolves EP, Song of the Week.{{cite web|author=Tochi Onwubiko|title=Song of the Week – Radar by Alpha P|url=https://articles.connectnigeria.com/song-of-the-week-radar-by-alpha-p/amp/|access-date=October 17, 2024|website=Connect Nigeria|date=January 14, 2020}} On February 8, 2020, Alpha P delivered a live performance of "More" on Cool FM's AUX Africa show.{{cite web |title=Alpha P More on AUX Africa |url=https://aux.ng/artiste/alpha-p/ |website=AUX Africa |access-date=October 17, 2024}} 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.{{cite web|author=Rufaro Samanga|title=The "Stay Home... #WithMe" Festival Schedule March 28-29 edition Alpha P|url=https://www.okayafrica.com/amp/youtube-online-music-festival-to-host-african-artists-amid-coronavirus-outbreak-2645581800|access-date=October 17, 2024|website=OkayAfrica|date=March 27, 2020}} On 13 May 2020, Alpha P, DJ Tunez, and D3an released an EDM version of "Paloma" for the remix.{{cite web |last1=Onabanjo |first1=Adedamola |title=DJ Tunez, Alpha P And D3an Are An Electric Trio On 'Paloma (DJ Tunez & D3an Remix)' |url=https://culturecustodian.com/dj-tunez-and-d3an-alpha-p-paloma-remix/ |website=The Culture Custodian (Est. 2014.) |access-date=27 February 2025 |date=18 May 2020}} On July 10, 2020, Alpha P was featured on Ricky Tyler's "Peachnut".{{cite web|author=Benewaah|title=Ricky Tyler collaborates with Alpha P on Peachnut|url=https://harmattanrain.com/ricky-tyler-alpha-p-on-peachnuts/|access-date=October 17, 2024|website=Harmattan Rain|date=July 10, 2020}}{{cite web|author=Ano Shumba|title=Listen to Ricky Tyler's Peachnut featuring Alpha P|url=https://www.musicinafrica.net/magazine/listen-ricky-tylers-peachnut-featuring-alpha-p|access-date=October 17, 2024|website=Music In Africa|date=July 11, 2020}} In September 2020, he released the single "Quarantine", which later became the lead single for his project Wolves & Mustangs, Vol. 1.{{cite web|author=Kenneth|title=ALPHA P RETURNS NEW SINGLE "QUARANTINE"|url=https://www.topafricanews.com/2020/09/16/alpha-p-returns-new-single-quarantine/?pr=139630&lang=ar|access-date=October 17, 2024|website=Top Africa News|date=September 16, 2020}}{{cite magazine|author=Robin Murray|title=Alpha P's 'Quarantine' Is About Breaking Down Barriers|url=https://www.clashmusic.com/news/alpha-ps-quarantine-is-about-breaking-down-barriers/|access-date=October 17, 2024|magazine=Clash|date=September 21, 2020}} Released subsequently, Wolves & Mustangs, Vol. 1 featured four tracks, including a collaboration with PsychoYP.{{cite web|author=Peter Okhide|title=Alpha P dishes out new EP, 'Wolves & Mustangs Vol. 1'|url=https://notjustok.com/songs/ep/alpha-p-dishes-out-new-ep-wolves-mustangs-vol-1/|access-date=October 17, 2024|website=NotJustOk|date=November 11, 2020}}
= 2021{{ndash}}present: Feature run and ''Welcome To The Pack'' =
Alpha P released "Oh No" on June 11, 2021.{{cite web|author=Ben Boddez|title=Alpha P Transforms A Vision Into A Vibe with "Oh No" |url=https://readrange.com/alpha-p-oh-no/|access-date=October 17, 2024|website=Range|date=June 12, 2021}}{{cite web|author=Byron|title=Alpha P's winning streak continues as he releases "Oh No"|url=https://the49thstreet.com/alpha-ps-winning-streak-continues-as-he-releases-oh-no/|access-date=October 17, 2024|website=49th Street|date=June 16, 2021}} Later that month, on June 25, he was featured on Justin Bieber's "Peaches (remix)", alongside Omah Lay and Masterkraft, who also serves as the primary producer of the Afrobeats version.{{cite web|author=Tami Makinde|title=Listen to the Masterkraft remix to Justin Bieber's "Peaches" featuring Omah Lay & Alpha P|url=https://thenativemag.com/masterkraft-remix-justin-bieber-peaches-omah-lay-alpha-p/|access-date=October 17, 2024|website=The Native|date=June 25, 2021}}{{cite web|author=Tonye Ekine|title=Alpha P Brings The Fire On The Remix Of The Biggest Song Of The Summer, Justin Bieber's "Peaches"|url=https://soundcity.tv/alpha-p-brings-the-fire-on-the-remix-of-the-biggest-song-of-the-summer-justin-biebers-peaches/|access-date=October 17, 2024|website=Soundcity|date=June 26, 2021}} The remix charted at number 7 on Nigeria's Songs of Summer Chart.{{cite web|author=TC|title=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|url=https://twitter.com/TurntableCharts/status/1412836609905422337?t=blxg7JgAPmgavNfy4Vm0xg&s=19|access-date=October 17, 2024|website=TurnTable|date=July 7, 2021}} In November 2021, Alpha P was featured on DJames' song "Whine," produced by DJames and Michael Walls.{{cite web|author= Wonu Osikoya|title=Songs Of The Day: New Music From Zinoleesky, Alpha P, Bryan The Mensah & More|url=https://thenativemag.com/songs-of-the-zinoleesky-alpha-p-bryan-the-mensah/|access-date=October 17, 2024|website=The Native|date=November 29, 2021}}
On August 25, 2022, DJ Tunez features Alpha P, alongside Wizkid, and Tay Iwar on "Majo".{{cite web|author=Peter Okhide|title=DJ Tunez Collaborates With Wizkid, Alpha P & Tay Iwar on 'Majo'|url=https://notjustok.com/songs/dj-tunez-collaborates-with-wizkid-alpha-p-tay-iwar-on-majo-listen/|access-date=October 17, 2024|website=NotJustOk|date=August 25, 2022}} The track debuted at number 12 on the UK Afrobeats Singles Chart,{{cite web |title=MAJO |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/songs/dj-tunez-majo/ |website=Official Charts |access-date=27 February 2025 |language=en |date=10 September 2022}} and number 47 on Nigeria's TurnTable Top 100 Songs, on the week of 29 August 2022.{{cite web |title=Official Nigeria Top 100 |url=https://www.turntablecharts.com/charts/1 |website=TurnTable Charts |publisher=TurnTable |access-date=27 February 2025}} Alpha P was featured on Y.D.A's "SADE" remix alongside King Perryy on October 2022.{{cite web|author=Youngstar|title=Y.D.A drops a new song tagged "SADE (Remix)" ft. Alpha P & King Perryy|url=https://xclusiveloaded.ng/entertainment/music/y-d-a-sade-ft-alpha-p-king-perryy/|access-date=October 17, 2024|website=Xclusive Loaded|date=October 21, 2022}} On 23 November 2022, he released "Veronica" featuring Babyboy AV and produced by Blaisebeatz.{{cite web|author=Peter Okhide|title=Alpha P Collaborates With AV on New Single 'Veronica'|url=https://notjustok.com/songs/alpha-p-av-veronica/|access-date=October 17, 2024|website=NotJustOk|date=November 23, 2022}}
After a quiet 2023, Alpha P signed a record deal with Phyno's Penthauze Records on August 23, 2024,{{cite web|author=HWA|title=Nigeria: Alpha P joins Penthauze Music|url=https://www.musicinafrica.net/magazine/nigeria-alpha-p-joins-penthauze-music|access-date=October 17, 2024|website=Music in Africa|date=August 26, 2024}} and released his debut single under the label titled, "W," featured rapper Olamide and produced Thisizlondon.{{cite web|author=Adeniyi Adewoyin|title=Alpha P features Olamide in a new single after joining Phyno's Penthauze|url=https://thenationonlineng.net/alpha-p-features-olamide-in-a-new-single-after-joining-phynos-penthauze/amp/|access-date=October 17, 2024|website=The Nation|date=August 30, 2024}} This single was included on his second EP, Welcome To The Pack, released on September 6, 2024.{{cite web|author=Tayo Odutola|title=Alpha P deliver new EP 'Welcome to the Pack'|url=https://earmilk.com/2024/09/08/alpha-p-deliver-new-ep-welcome-to-the-pack/|access-date=October 17, 2024|website=Earmilk|date=September 8, 2024}}{{cite web|author=G |title=Alpha P makes vigorous comeback in "Welcome To The Pack"|url=https://guardian.ng/arts-2/alpha-p-makes-vigorous-comeback-in-welcome-to-the-pack/|access-date=October 17, 2024|website=The Guardian|date=September 9, 2024}} Welcome To The Pack boasts appearances from Olamide, London, and Kemuel.{{cite web|author=Aimee Cherry Quarty|title="Alpha P Features Olamide, ThisIzLondon, and Kemuel on New EP WELCOME TO THE PACK|url=https://www.3music.tv/section/news/article/alpha-p-features-olamide-thisizlondon-and-kemuel-on-new-ep-welcome-to-the-pack-2024-09-09|access-date=October 17, 2024|website=3Music TV|date=September 9, 2024}} The project received positive reviews from music critics, including T. J. Martins reviewing for Album Talks.{{cite web |last1=Martins |first1=T. J. |title=Alpha P's "Welcome To The Pack" Is A Sound Return To Basics [EP Review] |url=https://albumtalks.com/alpha-ps-welcome-to-the-pack-is-a-sound-return-to-basics-ep-review/ |website=Album Talks |access-date=27 February 2025 |date=11 September 2024}}
Discography
= Extended plays =
= Singles =
{{expand list|date=October 2024}}
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1"
|+ List of charted singles, with selected chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:22em;"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:1em;"| Year ! scope="col" colspan="3"| Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:12em;"| Certifications ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:18.5em;"| Album |
| scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| NG ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| UK ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| US |
|---|
| scope="row"| "W"
| rowspan="1"| 2024 | 43 || — || — | | rowspan="1"|Welcome To The Pack |