Ayoola Oladapo Agboola, known professionally as KDDO (formerly Kiddominant), is a prominent Nigerian record producer, songwriter, and artist. He gained widespread recognition for his work on several notable Afrobeats tracks, contributing significantly to the genre’s global rise.
Early Life and Education: Born and raised in Lagos State, Nigeria, KDDO attended O&A Academy in Ogun State and later studied Actuarial Science at Redeemer’s University.
Music Career: KDDO’s career began as a DJ at the age of 14, influenced by his upbringing in Lagos. He draws inspiration from musical icons such as Fela Kuti, Timbaland, Kanye West, Sade Adu, and Polow da Don. In 2017, he signed with Sony/ATV Music Publishing as a record producer and songwriter.
His breakthrough came with the production and writing of “Fall” by Davido, which became Afrobeats’ longest-charting Billboard single. “Fall” achieved gold certification in the US, making KDDO the first Afrobeats producer certified by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
KDDO’s other notable productions include “Under The Influence” by Chris Brown, which topped the Billboard Rhythmic Chart and reached number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100. He also co-wrote and produced tracks like “Lower Body” and “Nefertiti” featuring Rihanna on Chris Brown’s album “Indigo Extended”.
Tours and Performances: In 2017, KDDO embarked on his “L.O.U.D Music Production Tour” across nine states, supported by Sony ATV and Davido Music Worldwide. He has performed at various prestigious venues and events, including alongside AKA at FNB Stadium during AFCON qualifiers and at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Denver.
Discography: As a lead artist and producer, KDDO’s discography includes collaborations with top African and international artists such as Davido, Chris Brown, AKA, Wizkid, and more. His notable singles include “Fall”, “Under the Influence”, “D&G”, “Tanana”, and “Yeh Yeh”.
Accolades: KDDO has received nominations and awards for his production work, including the Headies Award for Producer of the Year and recognition from the Recording Industry Certification of America (RIAA) and South African Music Awards.
In summary, KDDO’s innovative production style and prolific career have made him a key figure in the global Afrobeats movement, contributing significantly to its recognition and influence worldwide.
