The Nigerian music industry is thriving. Its top acts are gaining a following globally. And the local scene presents an interesting mix of genres and cultural influences. The Afrobeats style reigns supreme, but regional preferences also exist. There are a lot of business ideas for Nigerian music enthusiasts who can help the various parts of the music value chain function effectively.
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Unless you’re tuned into the entrepreneurial side of entertainment, you can be forgiven for thinking that only record labels and artists themselves generate all the income. But they are only a small part of the industry apparatus. If you’ve always wanted to earn from being involved in music, you’ll be pleased to know that there are more ways to do this. This article explains 10 of such paths.
Recording Studio
The recording studio is the place where music is recorded. The process isn’t as simple as capturing the voice of a singer or combining tunes and beats. It covers the entire process of defining melodies and syncing them with lyrics; selecting instruments and deciding how their sounds should blend; as well as tracking, editing, mixing, and mastering. Our music studio should have the right equipment and environment for these things to happen.
Lyricist
Artists often don’t write the songs they sing. That task may be left to a lyricist (songwriter). This person is usually able to write lyrics that appeal to the singer’s audience. This requires a combination of writing prowess and a good understanding of the culture and sentiments of the demographic that listens to the artist’s kind of music. If these are your ‘superpowers’, you can make a business out of scribbling songs.
Music Marketing and Promotion Agency
A music marketing agency plans and executes marketing campaigns for artists. They also handle things like audience development, public relations, and radio airplay. Their goal is to grow their client artists’ fan base to drive up their streaming and sales numbers. With thousands of new acts emerging every other year, you likely won’t run out of demand for your services—if you’re smart about positioning.
Booking Agency
Musicians need someone to book their shows. And the individuals and organisations that want artists to perform for them need a way to reach them. As a booking agent, you can be the link between these parties. Your job will be to set up an artist’s appearance at shows and confirm details of that appearance that the singer and hirer must know. Booking agencies get paid a commission on every successful deal they cut on artists’ behalf.
Artist or Band Management
The artist’s manager (or band manager) typically has a broad job description. They assist musicians with developing a long-term strategic plan for their careers. They also offer advice on business deals and contract negotiations, branding and public image, networking, tour coordination, sponsorships, and accounting. If you have vast and deep business knowledge, a love for music, and some understanding of how the entertainment industry works, you may excel as an artiste or band manager.
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Music Equipment Provider
You can sell the equipment that artists and bands use, such as guitars, drums, trumpets, and synthesisers. You could also supply things like headphones, interfaces, studio monitors, and PA systems. The demand for these items comes from amateurs and professionals, as well as studios and managers procuring them on their clients’ behalf.
Video Director
A lot of creative work goes into planning and coordinating video shoots for songs. This is especially true of actors who want their craft to be truly artistic. Putting together animated visuals to go with singing can be challenging. But if you’re a master at pulling this off, you’ll be able to build a successful business around your skill.
Audio Engineer
Good music isn’t just about attention-grabbing lyrics or lively beats. Its constituent sounds have to combine in ways that satisfy the auditory senses. Audio engineers tweak and prime sounds so that they are in sync, not jarring, and deliver a pleasant listening experience. A great audio engineer has a decent grasp of the mechanics of sound and an ear that catches details others would usually miss.
Entertainment Lawyer
Lawyers can specialise in the music industry. There’s potentially a lot of work for them there, particularly in contract negotiation, intellectual property, endorsements and sponsorships, merchandising, and dispute resolution. You can earn a comfortable living from this if you’re good at it.
Music Industry Blog
How about starting a proper blog that covers the Nigerian music scene? What we’re referring to here isn’t a side project run with minimal commitment. Rather, it’s a site that engages figures in the industry directly (or via trusted insiders), breaks news first, interviews actors, and is just a serious leader in its field. You may even choose to niche down, focusing on a specific genre of music—whether it’s highlife, folk music, or urban regional varieties. When you’ve built up a large following, you can earn through paid features and advertisements.
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Final Words
As this article has shown, there are many business ideas for Nigerian music enthusiasts to choose from. Some of them don’t require specific skills to run with. Others are best pursued by people with a relevant background. You can settle for one that you have the best chance of succeeding at, given your interests and experience.
Got a suggestion? Contact us: editor@connectnigeria.com
