Where are you based?
Lagos, Nigeria.
Where do you work? What do you do?
I wear many hats in this industry…
First and foremost, I’m an A&R, a talent manager and a brand strategist/storyteller, and once in a while I put out music-related articles in my newsletter Let’s Talk Music.
As for where I work, I interned at one of the best labels in Africa, Mavin, for about 10 months, before I took the scary step down the entrepreneurial route towards the end of last year.
So I’ve got an incredible business partner and we just set up our company, FOS Entertainment, a full-service entertainment company.
What are you listening to?
Ahhh so I can’t get enough of Bloody Civilian’s new project, Anger Management, Gyakie’s Scar and I’m still hooked on P!nk’s project Trustfall.
How do you discover new music?
I’ve got different ways, to be honest. I’m very active on Social media, so that’s the obvious first for me. I also get recommendations from my friends and colleagues. I also take advantage of Spotify’s Viral 50 playlists from different countries, this helps me discover music from other territories, and sometimes, I listen to whatever new music Spotify recommends to me. SoundCloud also plays a big part when it comes to music discovery for me. I’ve used the platform for years and still use it today because it has never failed me.
What formats do you usually listen to? LP, CD, Cassette, Digital, Streaming Services? Why?
Streaming services. It’s easier and more convenient and I can listen on the go.
“I’m constantly surrounded by music. I don’t have a specific time or place when it comes to listening to music. So sometimes I listen when I’m on the road, while working, doing chores/cooking and especially during my leisure time.”
Where do you do most of your music listening?
I’m constantly surrounded by music. I don’t have a specific time or place when it comes to listening to music. So sometimes I listen when I’m on the road, while working, doing chores/cooking and especially during my leisure time.
How do you find and listen to pre-release music?
To be honest, half the time I stumble upon pre-released music, and sometimes artists and even people on their teams send their pre-released to me. I don’t listen to the radio often so I miss a lot of premieres done on them.
What are your frustrations with listening to music digitally? Any benefits?
The only thing that comes to mind is my inability to stream music whenever my internet goes down but that’s it. As for benefits, knowing I can listen to music digitally whenever and wherever I want with my phone, laptop or even my iPod (yes I still have my iPod) makes all I spend on my monthly internet subscription worth it.
How do you keep track of everything you are listening to?
I’m very big on playlisting. So if I discover a new song and I like it, I’ll add it to a playlist, and most times if I don’t have a playlist that the song fits into, I’ll create a new playlist for it.
Do you tip other people off to new music? How?
Oh yes, definitely. I love sharing links to new music with my friends/colleagues and tweeting about a song or an artiste that caught my attention. I strongly believe in being a music evangelist. You discover an amazing song, you have a civil obligation to share it with the rest of the world.
Anything you want to “promote”?
You guys should definitely check out my girl, Naya Akanji. I also need everyone to watch out for Mösirè and Chris Be Finessing, two young and extremely talented artists I work with and who will be debuting this summer.
I can’t forget my incredible producers Nauty, Txmpl and Donald, and finally my brilliant but slightly insane business partner Miracle Udoh. Look out for our baby FOS Entertainment, we’re definitely going to shake the industry.
