The year is 2022; Afrobeats and Nigerian music in general continues to experience explosive growth and international recognition which has led to numerous Nigerian artists going on sold out tours in Europe and America, but the music business executives are not getting the accolades they deserve. While the work Nigerian artists put into their craft is not to be overlooked, they haven’t achieved these feats single-handedly and in this article, we take a look at the heavyweight music business executives spearheading this “Afrobeats to the world” movement behind the scenes, and helping put Nigeria and Nigerian music on the global stage.
The individuals on this list have not only contributed to the growth of Nigerian music, but they have also elevated their respective practices while setting themselves apart from their peers and leaving a blueprint for younger generations to follow.
Eze Ezegozie
Role: VP, Market Development (EMPIRE Africa)
Ezegozie worked with artists like Black Sherif, Asake, BNXN, Fireboy, Kizz Daniel, Bad Boy Timz and more as part of his work with EMPIRE Africa, helping them crush the music distribution game.
Bose Ogulu
Role: Management (Spaceship Entertainment)
As part of her work at Spaceship Entertainment, Ogulu manages Grammy-winning artist Burna Boy and has been an instrumental part of his Love, Damini takeover and well as his Havana Club partnership, Burberry campaign, Black Panther soundtrack appearance, and upcoming 2023 stadium tour.
Olamide Adedeji
Role: Founder (YBNL Nation)
Multi-award winning artist and YBNL boss Olamide Adedeji has had an exciting year as a music executive thanks to his signees Fireboy and Asake. Fireboy released his 3rd album in 4 years, went on tour, secured multiple brand deals, and was a part of the Black Panther official soundtrack. Asake released a record breaking debut album after an impressive year, went on a US and UK tour, and secured headliner shows.
Tobi ‘Alhaji Popping’ Mohammed
Role: Management (BOJ, Victony, Sess, Bella Shmurda) & Founder (Mainland Block Party)
Mohammed made magic with BOJ, Victony, and Bella Shmurda this year. BOJ released an exciting album, Victony released his sophomore EP, and Bella Shmurda put out a scintillating album; all the projects performed excellently. He also threw a series of amazing Block Parties throughout the year.
Don Jazzy
Role: Founder (Mavin Records)
As part of his role as Mavin boss, Don Jazzy worked with an impressive roster of artists this year to create excellent records and make major moves. He activated two new artists, Bayanni and Boy Spyce, who put out their debut EPs. Rema, an artist under his watch, had a stellar year; Rema released his debut album and went on tour in Australia, US, and UK. Ayra Starr also had an incredible: she released a Kelly Rowland remix of her popular single Bloody Samaritan and a new single that performed beautifully. Mavin Records also released two impressive singles, Won Da Mo & Overloading, and a 10-track album to commemorate their 10 year anniversary.
Olajumoke ‘Cake’ Olayiwola
Role: Legal Consultant/Talent Management (P.Prime, Tiwa Savage, Telz) & General Secretary (The Sarz Academy)
Producers P.Prime and Telz both had an incredible year producing hit records for a variety of artists like Wizkid, Burna Boy, Fireboy, Victony, ASA, Simi, and Omah Lay amongst others, with P.Prime featuring as a producer on the Black Panther soundtrack. Tiwa Savage had a number 1 record and became Africa’s first MAC maker. The Sarz Academy held two cohorts of its music production masterclass.
Esther Nwaroucha Isioma
Role: Head Of Promotions (Chocolate City) & Management (Young Jonn)
Young Jonn experienced a phenomenal run this year, following his switch from producer to full time artist, and Esther has been an integral part of his success so far. As part of her job at Chocolate City she’s been responsible for promoting singles and albums from Young Jonn, Blaqbonez, Major AJ, and more.
Ibukun ‘Aibee’ Abidoye
Role: Executive Vice President (Chocolate City)
Xtra Cool became the first song released under Chocolate City to reach number 1 on an aggregate chart in Nigeria, and held onto the spot for over two weeks, subsequently losing and regaining the spot in the weeks that followed. Blaqbonez’s Young Preacher debuted at number 1 on the Hip-Hop/Rap albums charts, while spurning a top 10 hit, Back In Uni.
Peter Tega Oghenejobo
Role: Chief Operating Officer (Mavin Records)
Tega worked with an impressive roster of Mavin artists this year to execute projects successfully and kept things moving smoothly within the label. Mavin activated 2 artists and 6 producers and writers. Mavin Records also released two impressive singles, Won Da Mo & Overloading, and a 10-track album to commemorate their 10 year anniversary.
Asa Asika
Role: Co-founder (The Plug Entertainment)
Asa worked with Davido, Victony, CKay, Focalistic and more helping them execute new music releases as well as spearheading their tours and partnerships.
Bizzle Osikoya
Role: Co-founder (The Plug Entertainment)
Bizzle worked with Davido, Victony, CKay, Focalistic and more helping them execute new music releases. He pulled off multiple Block Parties in Abuja, Lagos and Ghana. Bizzle was also inaugurated into the Recording Academy’s 2022 class.
Seni Saraki
Role: Co-founder & Editor-in-Chief (NATIVE Networks)
As part of his job at NATIVE, Seni led an editorial team delivering high quality music content and giving a platform to artists with little representation. Seni was also responsible for producing the Lagos arm of the Black Panther soundtrack.
Sunday Are
Role: Management (Wizkid)
As part of his work with List Entertainment Management, Sunday Are manages Wizkid. Wizkid has had a splendid year so far; selling out MSG, Ziggo Dome, Accor Arena, and more. Wizkid released his highly anticipated album More Love Less Ego that has performed exceptionally surpassing 75 million streams on Apple Music and 50 million streams on Spotify. Sunday Are was also inducted into the Afrobeats Hall Of Fame earlier in the year.
Abifade Bayarn Tomide Tosin
Role: Management (BNXN)
BNXN put out his sophomore EP and went on tour, rounding up the year with a sold out Indigo O2 show. BNXN’s Bad Since ‘97 debuted at number 14 on the Billboard World Albums chart, charted in over 50 countries on Apple Music and has crossed 15 million streams on Spotify.
Sean Okeke
Role: Head Of Operations/Management (Jonzing World)
Sean manages Rema and Ruger and both artists have enjoyed an impressive amount of wins this year. Rema released his debut album, which has performed exceptionally, and went on tour in Australia, US, and UK. Ruger released the deluxe version of his sophomore EP, and followed that up with two new singles, Asiwaju and Red Flags, which have seen massive reception with the former clinging onto the number 1 spot on Apple Music and Spotify for weeks. Sean also won Artist Manager Of The Year at The Beatz Awards.
Tope Salami
Role: Entertainment Law Specialist & Management (Blaise Beatz)
Blaise Beatz produced multiple hit records for Kizz Daniel, Victony, BNXN, Adekunle Gold, Falz, Fireboy, Blaqbonez, Alpha P and more. He was named the top producer in Q1 by TurnTable Charts. He also produced a Chris Brown record, Call Me Everyday, that earned him a Grammy nomination.
Anthony Egwu
Role: Management (Lojay, Tomi Thomas) & Co-founder (Koratori)
Lojay has enjoyed an explosive year thanks to his hit single Monalisa and its remix featuring Chris Brown that came out earlier in the year. He has his Wireless Festival debut and went on an European tour.
Muyiwa Awoniyi
Role: Management (Tems)
Tems completely dominated 2022 even though she didn’t release any personal music. She collaborated with Rihanna for the Black Panther soundtrack album, got featured by Future and Beyoncé. Tems worked with Reebok, Tommy Jeans, Coca Cola, Jameson Whiskey, and partnered with Apple Music to present the Leading Vibe Radio. She performed at the Global Citizen Festival and Power 105.1 Powerhouse 2022.
Wale Davies
Role: Management (Tems)
Tems completely dominated 2022 even though she didn’t release any personal music. She collaborated with Rihanna for the Black Panther soundtrack album, got featured by Future and Beyoncé. Tems worked with Reebok, Tommy Jeans, Coca Cola, Jameson Whiskey, and partnered with Apple Music to present the Leading Vibe Radio. She performed at the Global Citizen Festival and Power 105.1 Powerhouse 2022.
D’Prince
Role: Founder (Jonzing World)
Jonzing World artists Rema and Ruger have enjoyed an impressive amount of wins this year. Rema released his debut album, which has performed exceptionally, and went on tour in Australia, US, and UK. Ruger released the deluxe version of his sophomore EP, and followed that up with two new singles, Asiwaju and Red Flags, which have seen massive reception with the former clinging onto the number 1 spot on Apple Music and Spotify for weeks.
Ojabodu ‘Ojahbee’ Ademola
Role: Management (Oxlade)
Oxlade signed to Epic Records then released his first single of 2022, Want You. He followed that up with a COLORS performance of KU LO SA and everything changed. KU LO SA currently has 120+ million Spotify streams, and is certified silver in the UK, Gold in Switzerland and France. Oxlade performed at the Global Citizen Festival, and put out a KU LO SA remix with Camila Cabello.
Oyinkansola ‘Foza Doza’ Fawehinmi
Role: President (Digital Music Commerce & Exchange)
This year Foza Doza won the Future Africa Prize for Lawyer (2022), joined the Recording Academy’s Class of 2022, launched PE-backed Orin Fund for musicians, got appointed as a board member at The Sarz Academy, and got appointed as member of advisory board Audio Girl Africa.
Oye Akideinde
Role: CDO, Continued Entertainment
Akideinde was listed among the top 30 music businesses executives in H1 and was also inaugurated in the Recording Academy’s Class of 2022. Continued Entertainment helps clients with music distribution & management.
Olamide Olaitan
Role: A&R & Founder (The Agency Africa)
Olaitan hosted 2 writing camps and artists development programmes for Warner Music Global, managed Rick Ross’s African tour in Nigeria and Angola, conceptualised all-female show for IWD featuring Ayra Starr, hosted 5 UrbanLive Sessions for BNXN, Wande Coal, D-Banj, Lojay and more. He also managed Falz’s East African tour of 50 clubs, radio & TV stations in Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania, and executed BadBoyTimz’s campus tour of 7 major universities in Nigeria.
