Thompson Iyamu

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Thompson Iyamu
P Tee Money new.jpg
Background information
Also known asP Tee Money
Born (1968-10-22) 22 October 1968 (age 56)
Islington, London
Genres EDM, Dance, Pop, Afro-beat, Electronica, House
Occupation(s) DJ/EDM producer, remixer, Singer, Actor and Writer
Instrument(s) Synthesizer, Personal computer, MIDI controller, Drum machine, Sampler
Years active1990 - Present
LabelsP Tee Money Music
Website pteemoney.com

Thompson Iyamu (born 22 October 1968), known by his stage name P Tee Money, is a British DJ, producer and actor known for his music and film. [1] He is also a singer, remixer and author. [1]

Contents

Iyamu is a grandson of Akenzua II, Oba of Benin from 1933 – 1978. [2] He is also the founder of the African film & music award (AFMA). [3] [4]

Early life and education

Iyamu was born in Islington, London, to a Nigerian father and a Cypriot Jewish mother. [5] [6] His maternal grandfather was Nigerian, while his maternal grandmother came from a Cypriot Jewish background, giving him both African and Jewish heritage. [5]

Through his father, Iyamu is a member of the Benin Royal Family. He is the grandson of Oba Akenzua II (reigned 1933–1978), the 37th Oba of Benin, and the nephew of Princess Elizabeth Olowu, recognized as the first female bronze caster in Nigeria. [5] His uncle is Oba Ewuare II, who became the Oba of Benin in 2016 following the death of Oba Erediauwa. [5] His cousin, Peju Layiwola, is a contemporary African artist and academic noted for her work in cultural heritage and visual art. [5]

Iyamu is the second-born child and first son among six siblings on his mother’s side. [5] From an early age, Iyamu was introduced to music, citing influences such as George Duke and Earth, Wind & Fire. [7] At the age of four, his family relocated to Nigeria, where he completed his primary education before attending a military academy. He later obtained a degree in aeronautical engineering from the Nigerian Defence Academy. [5] Although trained in aeronautical engineering, Over time, his passion for music and performance grew alongside an interest in acting. In 1988, he moved to London to pursue a career in both fields, later expanding his work as a DJ, music producer, and actor. [8]

Iyamu adopted the stage name P Tee Money at the beginning of his career as a DJ in the early 1990s. [9] [10] [11] During this period, he toured across the United Kingdom alongside female rap artist Weird MC, performing extensively throughout the latter half of 1990 and into 1991. [12] [13] [14] Over time, he refined his musical style, gravitating towards progressive house, a genre noted for its rhythmic complexity and melodic layering. [15] [16] His evolving sound and dynamic performances earned him recognition within the UK’s electronic music scene. [17] [18]

Iyamu later expanded into music production, releasing several albums and singles. His work incorporates a range of styles, most notably electronic dance music and Afrobeat, often blending elements of both in his productions. [19] [20] He has collaborated with a number of international artists and has produced remixes in addition to his own original tracks. [21]

In 2018, Iyamu collaborated with producers Matthew S and Dirty Freek on a remix album of the song "When I Came Up" [22] [23] with Bon Villan, a Toronto-based indie electronic trio group. [24] On 8 September 2019 Iyamu and Morocco-based producer Yeves released a Dance Album; Bass Trouble which he co-wrote and co-produced. [25]

On 16 May 2020 he released a single; Make some noise [26] during the COVID-19 pandemic period which generated over 50,000 streams in the first week of release. [27] On 22 July 2020 he released a new album; You Don't Care. One of the songs from the album contained an up-tempo beat that was influenced by music from the 1980s which featured Addie Nicole. [28] [29]

In November 2020, he released a new Afro beat single Overdose on Freshness collaborating with Pat-E, which he co-produced. [30] [31] On 1 January 2021 he released a new single titled Scream Out Loud (Banger Mix). [32] On 12 March 2021 he released a new Spanish single titled Vamonos. [33]

On 28 May 2021 Iyamu was featured on DJ S’ Tingling EP which he also co-produced and was released through his record label P Tee Money Music. [34] On 4 July 2021 he released a new afro-beat sing titled Caterpillar. [35] [36]

On 21 August 2021, he released a new single OOzing featuring Pat-E. [37] On 3 February 2022, he came back with a new single 360 on the highway. [38]

Iyamu released his 8th EP Album, Tungba, on 17 November 2022 which contains the singles, Overdose on freshness and Money (featuring P at-E). [39] [40] On 14 January 2023 he released a new single Do ki Do. [41] Shortly after he released a single Come to Daddy on 31 August 2023. [42] [43] On 7 June 2024 he released a new single title Low waist. [44]

Writing

In 2015, Iyamu launched his first book titled The Players Code which was intended as a less predatory take on pickup artistry. [2]

In 2016, he released another book titled The Players Code Unleashed. He has also written series of erotic romance novels. In 2019 Iyamu published two more books Being Whit You and Wild Seduction, adding to his series of collections. [2]

Acting

Thompson Iyamu with Arnold Vosloo on The Mummy Returns set 2001 Thompson Iyamu on The Mummy Set.jpg
Thompson Iyamu with Arnold Vosloo on The Mummy Returns set 2001

Iyamu has appeared in several international motion pictures. He played a supporting role in I'll Sleep When I'm Dead (2003) , a British crime drama directed by Mike Hodges and starring Clive Owen. In Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001), he appeared alongside Angelina Jolie in the Paramount Pictures adaptation of the popular video game franchise.

He was also featured in The Mummy video game (2000), [45] followed by an appearance in the live-action sequel The Mummy Returns (2001), which introduced Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson in his film debut and starred Arnold Vosloo as the resurrected high priest Imhotep. Iyamu later appeared in The Scorpion King (2002), a spin-off from The Mummy franchise , co-starring Johnson and Academy Award–nominated actor Michael Clarke Duncan. [46]

Outside of franchise films, he also acted in Tom & Thomas (2002), a Dutch–British family drama directed by Esmé Lammers. [47]

Public Image

Upon releasing his new single, 360 on the highway, Iyamu has been described by social media influencers and news medias as The most searched African celebrity on Google. [48]

Books

Discography

Albums

YearAlbum
2017Rebirth
2017Bounce
2018Sandstorm
2018I'm Not Afraid
2019I Won't Stop
2019Bass Trouble
2020You Don't Care
2022Tungba

Collaboration albums

YearTitleArtists
2018When I Came Up (Remixes)Bon Villan
2019Bass TroubleP Tee Money & Yeves
2021DominiumDJ S' Tingling
2022Fight To Death: RematchSappho
20242024 Countdown In The Sky (Remixes)Sappho

Singles

YearTitleArtists
2017Lights outP Tee Money
2017Good TimeP Tee Money
2017Free your mindP Tee Money (feat. Aqua)
2017Heat UpP Tee Money
2017No SweatP Tee Money
2017Wind it Up (Remix)P Tee Money
2017Shake ThatP Tee Money
2017DropP Tee Money
2017I Got YouP Tee Money
2017Wind it UpP Tee Money
2018Tropical DreamP Tee Money
2018The Face in my dreamsP Tee Money (feat. Addie Nicole)
2018You are my oneP Tee Money (feat. Nina Storey)
2018The SwaggP Tee Money
2018EverytimeP Tee Money
2018AttentionP Tee Money (feat, Rasheed)
2018Summer 2005P Tee Money
2019Time is the greatest healerP Tee Money
2019DrownP Tee Money (feat. Smoothie)
2019Global P Tee Money (feat. Pat-E)
2019MoneyP Tee Money (feat. Pat-E)
2019Her BodyP Tee Money
2020I Don't wonna knowP Tee Money (feat. Addie Nicole)
2020Finders KeepersP Tee Money (feat. Smoothie)
2020Make Some NoiseP Tee Money
2020Overdose on FreshnessP Tee Money & Pat-E
2021Scream Out Loud (Banger Mix)P Tee Money
2021VamonosP Tee Money
2021CaterpillarP Tee Money
2021OOzingP Tee Money feat, Pat- E
2022360 on the highwayP Tee Money
2022DumsorP Tee Money
2022Do Ki DoP Tee Money
2023In Need Of YouP Tee Money
2023Come To DaddyP Tee Money
2024Low WaistP Tee Money

Filmography

Films

YearTitleRoleNotes
2001 Lara Croft: Tomb Raider Special Forces Team
2001 The Mummy Returns Pharaoh’s BodyguardFeatured Dwayne Johnson’s film debut
2002 Tom & Thomas Window ShopperDirected by Esmé Lammers
2002 The Scorpion King Ambush Bandit
2003 I'll Sleep When I'm Dead Street Pimp

Video games

YearTitleVoice Role
2000The MummyPharaoh's Body Guard

Philanthropy

Iyamu has set up a charity with the purpose of helping young people to start their own businesses. [49] He is known for helping some of his fans who need help paying for their college tuition, and he has opened a charity for this purpose. [50] He is responsible for providing for some of the youths from the village he supports in Edo state, Nigeria with free education, through his financial donations. [51]

Personal life

Iyamu keeps his personal life relatively private. He is married to Wendy Tingling and is a father. He has spoken publicly about the importance of family, and has expressed pride in both his Nigerian and Jewish heritage, often advocating for African unity. [52]

In February 2021, Iyamu experienced personal losses when his step-brother died, followed shortly by the passing of his father five days later. [53]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "UK-based DJ Won't Stop Cruising in New Album". thisdaylive.com. 2 August 2019. Retrieved 8 November 2019.
  2. 1 2 3 "The unknown co-brain behind AFMA, P Tee Money". dailytimes.ng. Daily Times of Nigeria. 26 August 2019. Retrieved 8 November 2019.
  3. "UK to host African Film and Music Awards". guardian.ng. 27 February 2022. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
  4. Emmanuel Okogba (21 August 2018). "P Tee Money: The brain behind African Film and Music Award". vanguardngr.com. Vanguard . Retrieved 8 November 2019.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Singer, P Tee Money buys brand new Bentley for his mother". vanguardngr.com. Vanguard. 8 January 2020. Retrieved 8 November 2019.
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  7. "P Tee's dazzling style set Morocco on fire". sunnewsonline.com. 13 October 2019. Retrieved 8 November 2019.
  8. "Everyone Must Endure The Hardships In Every Aspect Of Their Life. P Tee Money". independent.ng. Independent. 18 October 2019. Retrieved 8 November 2019.
  9. Emmanuel Okogba (21 February 2022). "P Tee Money comes out with new single". vanguardngr.com. Vanguard . Retrieved 5 March 2022.
  10. Jenna Melanson (2 November 2018). "PREMIERE – Bon Villan unveils "When I Came Up (Remixes)". canadianbeats.ca. Retrieved 8 November 2019.
  11. "PTee Money extends hand of charity". vanguardngr.com. Vanguard. 31 October 2019. Retrieved 8 November 2019.
  12. "DJs can do more than mix songs – P Tee Money". punchng.com. The Punch. 10 August 2019. Retrieved 8 November 2019.
  13. Eniola Daniel (2 November 2019). "I Won't Stop, New Album From P Tee Money". guardian.ng. Guardian . Retrieved 8 November 2019.
  14. Chuks Nwanne, "Coronavirus: P Tee Money Cancels Music Tours". guardian.ng. Guardian. 21 March 2020. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  15. Bolatito Adebola (11 August 2018). "Unfolding P Tee Money, The AFMA Creator". independent.ng. Independent . Retrieved 8 November 2019.
  16. "Artistes should step out of comfort zones to grow — P Tee Money". punchng.com. The Punch. 14 March 2020. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  17. "Royal Rhythms: P Tee Money's 'Lifestyle' Album Redefines Global Sound". pmnewsnigeria.com. 6 August 2025. Retrieved 31 August 2025.
  18. Moshood Ehinlawo, "Top Nigerian DJs based in the UK". newtelegraphng.com. 11 December 2023. Retrieved 31 August 2025.
  19. Ernest Nzor, "British-Nigerian Royal, P Tee Money, blends heritage with artistry in global entertainment scene". guardian.ng. 2 July 2025. Retrieved 31 August 2025.
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  27. Segun Adebayo, "P Tee Money's 'Make Some Noise' Reaches 50,000 Streams". tribuneonlineng.com. 7 July 2020. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
  28. "You Don't Care by P Tee Money". music.apple.com. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
  29. Kola Muhammed "P Tee Money Opens New Chapter With Album 'You Don't Care'". tribuneonlineng.com. 2 August 2020. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
  30. "Overdose on Freshness - Single". iTunes . Retrieved 25 November 2020.
  31. "P Tee Money – "Overdose On Freshness" ft. Pat-E". tooxclusive.com. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
  32. "P Tee Money – Scream out Loud (Banger Mix) - Single". iTunes . Retrieved 14 July 2021.[ dead link ]
  33. "Vámonos - Single". iTunes . Retrieved 14 July 2021.[ dead link ]
  34. "Dominium - EP by DJ S' Tingling on Apple Music". music.apple.com. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
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  36. "P Tee Money – "Caterpillar"". tooxclusive.com. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
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  38. Tommy, "P Tee Money, The Most Searched on Google, Drops A New Hot Vibe "360 on the Highway'"". tooxclusive.com. 15 February 2022. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
  39. "Tungba - EP - P Tee Money". music.apple.com. 12 November 2022. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
  40. "P Tee Money Sounds More Inspired than ever before with new EP Tungba". guardian.ng. 28 February 2024. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
  41. "Do Ki Do - Single - P Tee Money". music.apple.com. 14 January 2023. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
  42. "Come to Daddy - Single (feat. Pate) - Single - P Tee Money". music.apple.com. 31 August 2023. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
  43. Segun Adebayo, "P Tee Money drops new single, 'Come to Daddy'". tribuneonlineng.com. 28 February 2024. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
  44. "Low Waist - Single - P Tee Money". music.apple.com. 7 June 2024. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
  45. "The Mummy (2000 Video Game) Full Cast & Crew". imdb.com. IMDb. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
  46. "The Scorpion King (2002)Full Cast and Crew". imdb.com. IMDb. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
  47. "Tom & Thomas (2002)Full Cast & Crew". imdb.com. IMDb. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
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  49. "Covid 19: Over 150 youths benefit from P Tee Money's philanthropy". sunnewsonline.com. 8 June 2020. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
  50. Dupe Ayinla-Olasunkanmi, "UK based singer reaches out to orphanage". thenationonlineng.net. 5 June 2020. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
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  52. "P Tee Money, Ms P Tee Money celebrate love, legacy, lifestyle". vanguardngr.com. Retrieved 31 August 2025.
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