They are young, creative and highly talented, mostly metamorphosing from successful music artistes to notable music CEOs. They have eyes for great talents and have taken the bold step of establishing their own record labels through which they are currently grooming the next generation of Nigerian music.
They are no doubt putting their monies where their mouths are. Showbeats brings to your reading pleasure, 6 members of the new generation music CEOs. Enjoy
1- WIZKID.
Ayotunde Ibrahim Balogun is one of the latest music sensational revelations of this generation. His 2011 debut album with Banky W’s Empire Mates Entertainment (EME), was all he required to stamp his musical footprints in the sand of time. He has since advanced his music career greatly with hits after hits, and raking in numerous local and international awards within a very short time. Born in 1990, Wizzy, as he is often called, belongs to these group of music boys currently dominating the music scene.
Wizkid is also the CEO of STARBOY music label, where he has also been able to harness and promote some notable young talents like L.A.X, Malik Berry and DJ Tunez. The prospects of this brand is high and this young label CEO is not resting.
2-DAVIDO.
David Adeleke is a silver-spooned Nigerian hip hop crooner, one of the youngest that are currently cascading the entertainment scene with a lot of tenacity. His 2011 single, ‘Da mi duro’ was all he required to permanently stamp his presence in the minds of Nigerians. Born on the November 21, 1992, Davido is one of the highly successful music sweet boy that have hijacked the scene.
Davido’s music keeps trending within and outside Nigeria, he and his latest crop of young sweet boys are dominating the music scene with a lot of latitude.
Davido is also the CEO of HKN Gang, which he had revealed to mean ‘Honourable Kings of New-school’, where he has engaged the services of some other highly talented music acts like Maryorkun, Eleko, B-Red and Shina Rambo. These artistes are currently under his personal label despite his land-breaking contract with international label, Sony.
3-EMPEROR GEEZY.
G-Worldwide Entertainment (stylized as G.W.W but popularly called G-Worldwide) is a record label imprint founded by Festus Ehimare, also known as Emperor Geezy and it was founded in 2007 but started promoting musical talents in 2011. It was reformed in 2013, signing Kiss Daniel as its first recording/performing artiste. The label went on to sign another talented raggae & RnB sensational artiste, Sugarboy in 2015.
The first single released by the label was Kiss Daniel “Shoye” and other subsequent singles like “Woju”, “Woju (Remix) featuring Tiwa Savage & Davido”, “Laye” which attain great success for the record label and its artiste. Kiss Daniel has won various accolades including Extreme Awards (Benin Republic) Next Rated Artiste of the Year in 2014, and Maya Awards (Ibadan) Newcomer/Revelation of the year in 2014.
4-D’BANJ.
Formerly signed onto Mo’Hits Records label, he is known for hit songs like ‘Tongolo, Gbono Feli Feli, Olorun Maje, No Long Thing, Why Me, Booty Call, Move Your Body’, and numerous others, which established and impressed his name as a brand hit-maker. Born Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo on June 9, 1981, but famous as D’banj, he is a Nigerian music artiste, harmonica player and entrepreneur. Names such as Koko Master, Oliver Twist, Mr Endowed, amongst others have been associated with him, especially because of his musical conquests.
After he left Mo’Hits Crew, he landed a mega recording and exclusive management deal with Song Music Entertainment. He later formed DB Records label which has his brother, Kay Switch, Jaysleek, Deevee, 2Kriss, and formally Nollywood star cum musician, Tonto Dikeh signed to it. Dbanj has been associated with top international and Nigerian artistes such as Akon, Snoop Dogg, Big Sean, Kanye West, 2Baba, Olamide, Fally Ipupa, etc. His latest single, released under his label, Emergency, is making waves and toppimg charts currently.
He has been duly recognized and with his first album came his first endorsement from an energy drink called Power Fist. In May 2013, D’banj was named the Bank of Industry (BOI) ambassador. In November 2013, D’banj re-signed a multi-million Naira deal with Globacom, the company he parted ways with in 2010. In June 2014, D’Banj secured a deal with Heritage Bank. In October 2014, he was named the official African ambassador for Beats by Dre. In February 2015, he was named the official African ambassador for Ciroc Nigeria, amongst many others. This multiple award-winning music act is also a humanitarian, and the founder of Koko Foundation for Youth and Peace Development.
5-LIL KESH.
Ololade Keshinro, Lil kesh as he is popularly known is another Bariga-brought up that is currently making waves in the music scene. He’s just 21 years old but already swimming in the world of fame and fortune. This signee of Olamide’s YBNL, is the latest entry into the world of young music CEOs with his recent unveiling of his YAGI (Young And Getting It) brand, which was done with the big support of his YBNL label boss, Olamide.
This young talent rose into the consciousness of music lovers in 2014, when his mega chart busting single ‘Shoki’, was released. This singular track was all Lil Kesh needed to confirm his pride of place in the highly competitive Nigerian music industry. His rap is a combination of Yoruba and English languages, and he has mastered the art of swinging both languages to stimulate lyrical excitement in the mind of his fans. Kesh, is no doubt ripping the reward of musical success in a very short time, and already partaking in the affluence that goes with it. Fortunately, his ‘shoki’ unique dance step has been embraced across board, a situation where prominent politicians are seen exhibiting the ‘shoki’ dance at social gatherings. His ‘shoki’ dance step recently received international acceptance when popular American singer ‘Missy Elliot’ was spotted dancing ‘shoki’ in one of her videos. Lil Kesh is currently living his dreams, and the fact that his subsequent tracks did not disappoint, is a testimony to the fact that this young lad has come to stay.
His YAGI label is currently shopping for young music talents to promote with the platform.
6-PHYNO.
Azubuike Chibuzo Nelson is his birth name. He is from Enugu state. The 30-year old rapper, singer and record producer came into limelight with his debut album ‘No Guts No Glory’ which he started recording in 2012, featuring raving hits like ‘Ghost Mode, Man of the Year, Parcel and O Set.’ He is the CEO of Penthauze Music Records Label. Penthauze in 2011 had Runtown, Shugaboi and Flipside on its bill. It signed Storm Rex in 2014, the singer becoming the label’s sole female act.
The graduate of Public Administration from the Institute of Management and Technology in Enugu state, is phenomenal for rapping in Igbo language. He also raps in Pidgin and English language occasionally and has had collaborations with other foremost artistes like Olamide, Flavour, Psquare, Ice Prince and a host of others. As a record producer, he has worked with artistes like Timaya, Flavour, Ruggedman, Bracket, J Martins and Mr Raw.
The Guinness brand ambassador released a second album dubbed ‘2Kings’ in 2015. He is currently signed to record labels – Sputnet Records and Penthauze Music. He has been nominated for several awards and has won quite a number of them including The Headies, Nigeria Entertainment Awards and City People Awards.
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