Thompson Iyamu

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Prince
Thompson Iyamu
File:P Tee Money new.jpg
Born (1968-10-22) 22 October 1968 (age 57)
Islington, London, England
Other namesP Tee Money, The African Drake
CitizenshipBritish, Nigerian
Alma materNigerian Defence Academy
OccupationsDJ/EDM, Producer, Actor, Author, Entrepreneur, Singer and Remixer
Years active1990s–present
Known forFounder & CEO, African Film & Music Award
TitlePrince of Edo Kingdom
Spouse
Wendy Tingling
​
(m. 2013)​
Children3
Relatives
Websitepteemoneymusic.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]

Active since the early 1990s, he has released numerous singles and remixes in electronic and house music, toured internationally as a DJ, and collaborated with artists across multiple genres.[1] As an actor, Iyamu has appeared in films including Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001), The Mummy Returns (2001), The Scorpion King (2002), and I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead (2003).[1]

He is the founder of the African Film & Music Award (AFMA).[2][3] A grandson of Oba Akenzua II of the Benin Royal Family, Iyamu has spoken publicly about the importance of family, cultural identity, and African unity.[4] He maintains pride in his Nigerian and Jewish heritage and has used his platform to promote African art, music, and history.[4]

In 2025, The Sun Nigeria, and other media outlets referred to Iyamu as The African Drake, a nickname highlighting his multicultural background and cross-genre versatility.[5] The comparison reflects his reputation for blending Afrobeat, EDM, and pop influences with visually ambitious productions, including his AI-powered futuristic music videos.[6]

Early life and education

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Iyamu was born in Islington, London, to a Nigerian father and a Cypriot Jewish mother.[7][8] His maternal grandfather was Nigerian, while his maternal grandmother came from a Cypriot Jewish background, giving him both African and Jewish heritage.[7]

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.[7] His uncle is Oba Ewuare II, who became the Oba of Benin in 2016 following the death of Oba Erediauwa.[7] His cousin, Peju Layiwola, is a contemporary African artist and academic noted for her work in cultural heritage and visual art.[7]

Iyamu is the second-born child and first son among six siblings on his mother’s side.[7] From an early age, Iyamu was introduced to music, citing influences such as George Duke and Earth, Wind & Fire.[9] 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.[7] 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.[10]

Career

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Photo on set of the Track "Tomorrow" from the EP Lifestyle 2025

Iyamu adopted the stage name P Tee Money at the beginning of his career as a DJ in the early 1990s.[11][12][13] 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.[14][15][16] Over time, he refined his musical style, gravitating towards progressive house, a genre noted for its rhythmic complexity and melodic layering.[17][18] His evolving sound and dynamic performances earned him recognition within the UK’s electronic music scene.[19][20]

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.[21][22] He has collaborated with a number of international artists and has produced remixes in addition to his own original tracks.[23]

In 2018, Iyamu collaborated with producers Matthew S and Dirty Freek on a remix album of the song "When I Came Up"[24][25] with Bon Villan, a Toronto-based indie electronic trio group.[26] On 8 September 2019 Iyamu and Morocco-based producer Yeves released a Dance Album; Bass Trouble which he co-wrote and co-produced.[27]

On 16 May 2020 he released a single; Make some noise[28] during the COVID-19 pandemic period which generated over 50,000 streams in the first week of release.[29] 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.[30][31]

In November 2020, he released a new Afro beat single Overdose on Freshness collaborating with Pat-E, which he co-produced.[32][33] On 1 January 2021 he released a new single titled Scream Out Loud (Banger Mix).[34] On 12 March 2021 he released a new Spanish single titled Vamonos.[35]

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.[36] On 4 July 2021 he released a new afro-beat sing titled Caterpillar.[37][38]

On 21 August 2021, he released a new single OOzing featuring Pat-E.[39] On 3 February 2022, he came back with a new single 360 on the highway.[40]

Iyamu released his 8th EP Album, Tungba, on 17 November 2022 which contains the singles, Overdose on freshness and Money (featuring P at-E).[41][42] On 14 January 2023 he released a new single Do ki Do. [43] Shortly after he released a single Come to Daddy on 31 August 2023.[44][45] On 7 June 2024 he released a new single title Low waist.[46]

On 12 September 2025, Iyamu released his ninth extended play, Lifestyle.[47] The five-track project received positive attention from listeners and critics, with commentary noting his versatility in blending Afrobeat, Amapiano, and electronic dance influences.[47] The EP features tracks such as Tomorrow, described as combining a reflective message with an upbeat rhythm, and No Space, which was noted for its futuristic production style.[47] The title track, Lifestyle, drew particular attention for its Amapiano-inspired sound.[47]

Following its release, the project trended on Audiomack and secured regular airplay across radio stations in the United Kingdom and Africa.[48] Coverage emphasized the EP as a further demonstration of Iyamu’s ability to bridge African and international sounds, continuing his trajectory as both a producer and recording artist.[48]

Writing

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In 2015, Iyamu launched his first book titled The Players Code which was intended as a less predatory take on pickup artistry.[49]

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.[49]

Acting

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File: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),[50] 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.[51]

Outside of franchise films, he also acted in Tom & Thomas (2002), a Dutch–British family drama directed by Esmé Lammers.[52]

Public Image

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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.[53]

In 2025, Iyamu’s growing international recognition led to further media attention. The Sun Nigeria, and Vanguard Nigeria all referred to him as The African Drake, a nickname attributed to his multicultural background and his genre-blending sound that fuses Afrobeat, EDM, and pop influences.[5][6] The comparison reflects his identity as a British entertainer of Jewish and African royal descent and his reputation for visually ambitious music projects.[6] His AI-powered futuristic videos have been highlighted by entertainment media for their advanced special effects and creative direction, further reinforcing his cross-cultural influence and innovative approach to African music.[6]

Books

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  • Wild Seduction Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
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  • The Players Code Unleashed Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).

Discography

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Albums

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Year Album
2017 Rebirth
2017 Bounce
2018 Sandstorm
2018 I'm Not Afraid
2019 I Won't Stop
2019 Bass Trouble
2020 You Don't Care
2022 Tungba
2025 Lifestyle

Collaboration albums

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Year Title Artists
2018 When I Came Up (Remixes) Bon Villan
2019 Bass Trouble P Tee Money & Yeves
2021 Dominium DJ S' Tingling
2022 Fight To Death: Rematch Sappho
2024 2024 Countdown In The Sky (Remixes) Sappho

Singles

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Year Title Artists
2017 Lights out P Tee Money
2017 Good Time P Tee Money
2017 Free your mind P Tee Money (feat. Aqua)
2017 Heat Up P Tee Money
2017 No Sweat P Tee Money
2017 Wind it Up (Remix) P Tee Money
2017 Shake That P Tee Money
2017 Drop P Tee Money
2017 I Got You P Tee Money
2017 Wind it Up P Tee Money
2018 Tropical Dream P Tee Money
2018 The Face in my dreams P Tee Money (feat. Addie Nicole)
2018 You are my one P Tee Money (feat. Nina Storey)
2018 The Swagg P Tee Money
2018 Everytime P Tee Money
2018 Attention P Tee Money (feat, Rasheed)
2018 Summer 2005 P Tee Money
2019 Time is the greatest healer P Tee Money
2019 Drown P Tee Money (feat. Smoothie)
2019 Global P Tee Money (feat. Pat-E)
2019 Money P Tee Money (feat. Pat-E)
2019 Her Body P Tee Money
2020 I Don't wonna know P Tee Money (feat. Addie Nicole)
2020 Finders Keepers P Tee Money (feat. Smoothie)
2020 Make Some Noise P Tee Money
2020 Overdose on Freshness P Tee Money & Pat-E
2021 Scream Out Loud (Banger Mix) P Tee Money
2021 Vamonos P Tee Money
2021 Caterpillar P Tee Money
2021 OOzing P Tee Money feat, Pat- E
2022 360 on the highway P Tee Money
2022 Dumsor P Tee Money
2022 Do Ki Do P Tee Money
2023 In Need Of You P Tee Money
2023 Come To Daddy P Tee Money
2024 Low Waist P Tee Money

Filmography

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Films

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Year Title Role Notes
2001 Lara Croft: Tomb Raider Special Forces Team
2001 The Mummy Returns Pharaoh’s guard Featured Dwayne Johnson’s film debut
2002 Tom & Thomas Window Shopper Directed by Esmé Lammers
2002 The Scorpion King Ambush Bandit
2003 I'll Sleep When I'm Dead Street Pimp

Video games

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Year Title Voice Role
2000 The Mummy (video game) Pharaoh's guard

Philanthropy

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Iyamu has set up a charity with the purpose of helping young people to start their own businesses.[54] 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.[55] 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.[56]

Personal life

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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.[57]

In February 2021, Iyamu experienced personal losses when his step-brother died, followed shortly by the passing of his father five days later.[58]

Iyamu’s wife, Wendy Tingling, also known professionally as Ms P Tee Money, is active within the beauty, fashion, and entertainment sectors.[59] She has been profiled by notable media outlets, including Independent Nigeria and Vanguard Nigeria, for her elegance and influence in the creative industry.[59][60] Together, the couple have been described as a power duo in the British-African entertainment scene, frequently appearing at cultural and philanthropic events.[61]

His late mother, Evelyn Hannah Oba, was of mixed Jewish-Cypriot and Nigerian heritage. Iyamu has credited his multicultural background for shaping his worldview and artistic expression.[62] He continues to advocate for cultural unity, youth empowerment, and creative arts development through his philanthropic initiatives across Africa and the diaspora.[63]

See also

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References

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