Top 5 Talent Managers In The Nigeria Music Industry

  The entertainment business offers no guarantees and success can be fleeting even for the hottest acts. But there are fixtures in the industries that have ensured the greatness or mediocrity of the careers of some of the acts you see in the media. They broker deals, negotiate terms and actively push their acts into prominence through their extensive connections and knowledge of the ways of the game as well as charisma.

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Nigeria’s biggest entertainers have had talented talent managers shepherd their rise to stardom and typically because they are good at what they do, they manage a lot of acts thus, being able to build a business for themselves. These businesses have had the double effect of raising an entire of talent managers as well as promoting the growth of actual talent. Many even go on to double as record execs. Here are some of the top talent managers in the county today:

1. Godwin Tom

Lowkey Godwin’s resume is everything, I tell you. They do not come as stacked as his as far this industry is concerned. He came into limelight when he managed Wizkid early in the 30-year old’s career. Before then, he worked with MI and the Rooftop MC’s. In a career spanning at least 12 years, he has blazed a trail and grown very fast. These days, he owns and runs a talent management agency and event promotion outfit, iManageAfrica, and is very much invested in training prospects in the field through Music Business Academy. Quite simply, the man is an industry leader and is highly rated with artistes and his peers alike.

2. Asa Asika

This guy is a music royalty by himself and he has made a name for himself away from the famous legacy of his uncle and family name. Asa started out as a music curator and then part planner as a student. His uncle’s status as a music exec certainly sped up his rise as he was well known to artistes long before he decided to become a talent manager. He is best known for his work with Davido and he has been largely responsible for Davido’s big career wins. He now runs The PlugNG, a management and promotion outfit, with a fellow artiste manager, Bizzle Osikoya.

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3. Bizzle Osikoya

From being a club promoter and working with Don Jazzy’s Mavin early in its launch, Bizzle’s background in branding and advertising has helped him become one of the most versatile pros in the industry. From working as a club promoter and brand manager to now running an artiste management and music publishing company, The PlugNG with Asa Asika. His latest success story has been Oxlade who though is unsigned as of yet but one of the fastest-growing acts in the past two years.

4. Osarenz

Osarenkhoe “Osarenz” Osagie is best known for her work with Wizkid from breakout till 2016. She has also worked with Niniola, Banky, Reekado Banks at different stages of their careers. She now runs her own agency which goes by the name The Zone Agency where she manages emerging talents like Good Girl LA and Starboy Terri these days.

5. Sunday Are

Easily the oldest person on this list, Mr Are is worth the reputation he has built for himself. Many now know him for his work with Wizkid these days but he is from a way different era in Nigerian music. Sunday Are managed Lagbaja, Majek Fashek, Christy Essien, Obesere and the Mo’Hits crew. He is as influential as anyone in the industry and it is no surprised when Wizkid picked the veteran talent manager to push his career to the next level in 2015. Featured Image Source: My Gbedu

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This article was first published on 25th January 2021

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