Brains behind talents: Meet managers of top Nigerian singers

Nigerians rock and vibe to the tunes and melody of their favourite music stars whenever they listen to their songs on the radio, playlists on their phones or the disc jockeys spinning hit songs for fun seekers at parties. Most people have their top five artistes whose songs keep them in a groovy mood. However, […]

Nigerians rock and vibe to the tunes and melody of their favourite music stars whenever they listen to their songs on the radio, playlists on their phones or the disc jockeys spinning hit songs for fun seekers at parties. Most people have their top five artistes whose songs keep them in a groovy mood.

However, many people do not know that certain people behind the scenes help their favourite artistes stay focused, help with money management and hinder these artistes from making bad decisions that can destroy their careers. Daily Trust highlights the brains behind these talents.

Bose Ogulu (Burna Boy)

Bose Ogulu, also known as Mama Burna, is a Nigerian academic, businesswoman and talent manager. She manages her son Burna Boy’s musical career. She has been very helpful and resourceful as regards her son’s career.

In 2021, Burna Boy who refers to himself as the African Giant won Best Global Music Album for Twice As Tall at the Premiere Ceremony of the 63rd GRAMMY Awards. This marked his first career Grammy win.

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Ogulu is the daughter of Nigerian music critic Benson Idonije, who was the manager of the late Fela Kuti, the pioneer of the Afrobeat genre. She has a Bachelor of Arts in foreign languages and a Master of Arts in translation from the University of Port Harcourt.

The momager had a successful career as a translator for the Federation of West African Chambers of Commerce. She is fluent in English, French, German, Italian, and Yoruba. She then ran a language school called Language Bridges, where she organized cultural immersion trips for over 1,800 young people.

In addition, she taught French for a decade at the University of Education in Port Harcourt, retiring in 2018.

Sunday Are (Wizkid)

Sunday Are can be described as the man behind the Starboy, Wizkid. Are for decades has been Wizkid’s official manager, he can be likened to the right-hand man of the superstar as he supervises Wizkid’s shows and engagements. He coordinates the music star’s affairs and maintains mutual agreements with the Starboy.

He is the C.E.O of List Entertainment Limited which is a Promotional Management Company in Lagos, Nigeria and has been the brain behind so many big shows and big names here in Nigeria and Diaspora. Are has worked with other stars like; Asa, Lagbaja, King Sunny Ade, 2face, Dbanj, Omawumi.

Asa Asika (Davido)

Asa Asika is a known name in the music industry. The young man is a Nigerian talent manager, best known as Davido’s manager, moreso, he is the co-founder of The Plug (subsidiaries; Plug Entertainment, Plug Live, The Plug Music, Plug Films, Plug Publishing, and Plug Sports) and The Block Party Series.

However, he is the nephew of Obi Asika a well-known music executive and cousin to Naeto C, a famous Nigerian rap artiste. In January 2018, his relationship with DJ Cuppy became public knowledge but it and in 2020.

He became Davido’s manager during the early stage of the music star’s career but they had a fall out hence he was substituted for Kamal Ajiboye. However, some years later he was restored as the music acts manager and they have been together trailing the blaze ever since with Davido winning several accolades across the globe thanks to his management team headed by Asa Asika.

Yemi Alade (Taiye Aliyu)

Taiye Aliyu had been managing iconic singer, Yemi Alade before she released her hit single, Johnny in 2014, a project that shot her to the limelight after she had won the Peak Talent Show in 2009.

Aliyu is the Chief Executive Officer of the Effyzzie entertainment franchise which houses world-celebrated vocal powerhouse, Yemi Alade.

Stating how he met the songstress in an interview, the talent manager said, “I met her when I was working with my first artiste, Dipp. We met at Surulere to record a song that was produced by E Kelly, called ‘Rock My Body’ and by the time we finished the song, I knew in my mind that she was a natural talent/star bound to excel in whatever she did.”

Sean Okeke (Rema)

Sean Okeke, also known as Super Sean is a highly respected figure in the music industry as he is one of the brains behind the success of popular Nigerian singer, Rema.

At the recently concluded Headies award, Rema clinched three awards, securing the titles of Best Male Artist, Digital Artiste of the Year, and African Artiste of the Year — thanks to his management team headed by Sean.

He serves as the Head of Operations at Jonzing World Entertainment, where he shapes the careers of renowned artists such as Rema and Ruger.

With a distinguished career that began in journalism and later led to the establishment of his own magazine, Super Crush Magazine, Okeke has consistently demonstrated an unparalleled dedication to the entertainment field.

He subsequently founded Super Sean Media, a media company specialising in talent management, PR services, and event creation. Over the years, Okeke has organised high-profile events and provided PR services to well-known brands, earning him several prestigious awards for his outstanding achievements.