GMK (producer)
GMK | |
|---|---|
| Born | Abdulqudus King |
| Alma mater | SAE Institute London |
| Occupations |
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| Parents |
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| Relatives |
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| Musical career | |
| Origin | Nigeria |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 2016–present |
| Labels |
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Quddus King well known as GMK, is a Nigerian record producer, sound engineer, rapper, songwriter singer and songwriter. He is best known for producing Bridge's "Needy", and "Searching", Cruel Santino "Gangstar Fear", Lady Donli "Cash", BOJ's "Awolowo", "Bill Up", and "Assignment", and Burna Boy "Different". The Grammy-nominated Best World Music Album African Giant by Burna Boy in 2019, earned him a special recognition from The Recording Academy.[1] He is signed to Warner Chappell Music, and Love Renaissance.[2]
He is a member of the Monster Boys collective, with Cruel Santino, and music producers Genio Bambino.[3]
Early life[edit]
He studied Audio Engineering, in United Kingdom from SAE Institute London.[4]
Career[edit]
GMK is an acronym for "Grand Master King". In 2013, he launched his career on SoundCloud, as a rapper, following the release of "Sounds Of The Future", featuring Cruel Santino (credited as Ozzy B) & Yung from the music group L.O.S. On 24 April 2016, he released his extended play Long Live the King,[5] exclusively on SoundCloud, with guest appearances from Odunsi (The Engine), Genio Bambino, Bridge, BrisB, and Cruel Santino.[6] In a review for Pulse Nigeria, Abiola wrote "Long Live The King is a pleasing story-telling work of art by ThatBoyGMK that would leave you wanting more".[6] The Culture Custodian included the extended play in their list of 10 debut projects from 2016 you should bump!, in 2017.[7]
On 16 December 2016, he released "WasteMan", independently on SoundCloud. The music video was released the same day, and directed by Falomo, in Lagos, Nigeria.[8] On 9 February 2017, The Native included the song in their Bumplist of 10 essentials you must-haves this week.[9] On 21 March 2017, GMK released "Coconut lips", featuring Tomi Thomas.[10] On 24 May 2017, he released "Pears & Mangos",[11] and released "OTB",[12] on 23 July 2017. In the same year, he opened for Cruel Santino, and Wavy the Creator, at The Lucid Lemons Curd 2 music and art showcase, held in Lagos, on August 5, 2017.[13] He released "Lagbaja" featuring Odunsi (The Engine), on 20 November 2017.
GMK was on YNaija New Establishment class of 2019.[14] The music video for Odunsi "Star Signs" was directed by The Candles, with cameo appearances from GMK.[15] On 17 February 2021, following the partnership between Warner Chappell Music, and Love Renaissance, Monster Boys collective signed a publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music.[2]
Personal life[edit]
Quddus King is the son of Kolawole King and the Nigerian actress Carol King.[4]
Discography[edit]
Extended plays[edit]
| Title | EP details |
|---|---|
| Long Live the King |
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Production discography[edit]
Albums produced[edit]
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| Artist | Album | Release date | Certifications | Label | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cruel Santino | Suzie’s Funeral | 1 July 2016 | Immaculate Taste |
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| Mandy & The Jungle | 17 May 2019 | Monster Boy |
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| Subaru Boys : FINAL HEAVEN | 3 March 2022 | Interscope Records |
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| M.I Abaga | Rendezvous | 9 February 2018 | Chocolate City |
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| A Study on Self Worth: Yxng Dxnzl | 24 August 2018 | Chocolate City |
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| Odunsi (The Engine) | Time Of Our Lives | 2 August 2016 |
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| rare. | 12 October 2018 | Kimani Moore Entertainment |
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| Burna Boy | African Giant | 26 July 2019 |
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Spaceship / Atlantic / WMG |
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| Lady Donli | Enjoy Your Life | 9 August 2019 | Makiyayi |
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| W I L D | 30 July 2021 | Bad Moon |
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| DRB LasGidi | Pioneers | 24 April 2020 | Zero Label Records |
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Accolades[edit]
| Year | Award ceremony | Prize | Recipient/Nominated work | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Grammy Awards | Special Recognition | Himself for African Giant | Nominated | [1] |
References[edit]
- ^ a b Iheanacho, Henry (10 July 2020). "Grammy recognizes Nigerian producer, GMK for his work on Burna Boy's African Giant". CorrectNG. Retrieved 17 May 2022.
- ^ a b "Warner Chappell enters publishing deal with LVRN, home to the Monster Boys". The NATIVE. 19 February 2021. Retrieved 17 May 2022.
- ^ "The Monster Home For Monster Boys". MoreBranches. 4 November 2017. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
- ^ a b Idowu, Oluwamayowa (15 April 2019). "The Alté Playmaker: The GMK Story". The Culture Custodian. Retrieved 17 May 2022.
- ^ "That Boy GMK - "Long Live The King"". Pulse Nigeria. 16 March 2017. Retrieved 17 May 2022.
- ^ a b "ThatBoyGMK's "Long Live The King" is a pleasing story-telling work of art". Pulse Nigeria. 20 March 2017. Retrieved 17 May 2022.
- ^ "10 debut projects from 2016 you should bump!". The Culture Custodian 1. 4 January 2017. Retrieved 17 May 2022.
- ^ "New Music: GMK – Waste Man". The PGM Club. Retrieved 17 May 2022.
- ^ "The Bumplist: Migos, J Hus, Eva Alordiah and 7 other must-haves this week". The NATIVE. 9 February 2017. Retrieved 17 May 2022.
- ^ "ThatboyGMK - 'Coconut lips' ft Tomi Thomas". Pulse Nigeria. 20 March 2017. Retrieved 17 May 2022.
- ^ "GMK Taps Tomi Thomas And Santi For "Pears & Mangoes"". The NATIVE. 24 May 2017. Retrieved 17 May 2022.
- ^ "Best New Music: GMK brings chillwave to the block on "OTB"". The NATIVE. 24 July 2017. Retrieved 17 May 2022.
- ^ "L.O.S, Idris King, Santi, Odunsi others entertain fans at concert". Pulse Nigeria. 7 August 2017. Retrieved 17 May 2022.
- ^ Okolo, Edwin (20 February 2019). "Quddus King, Benita Nnachortam, Jekein Lato-Unah, Mary Edoro: Here is the Y!/YNaija 2019 New Establishment List » YNaija". YNaija. Retrieved 17 May 2022.
- ^ "Odunsi (The Engine) Releases Cameo-Packed Video For 'Star Signs'". The PGM Club. Retrieved 17 May 2022.