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The Spark Magazine (Apr 2018)

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www.thesparkng.com<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spark</strong> | Ignite/Connect/Achieve<br />

APR<br />

<strong>2018</strong><br />

YOUTH EMPOWERMENT MAGAZINE<br />

@thesparkng<br />

01<br />

FREE WITH BUSINESS DAY LAST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH


www.thesparkng.com<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spark</strong> | Ignite/Connect/Achieve<br />

Contributors<br />

From Our Guest Editor<br />

Segun Adekoye<br />

Lehlé Baldé<br />

is a writer of poems, short stories and feature stories. A digital<br />

marketing strategist, lifestyle and technology enthusiast, trained at<br />

the New York Film Academy, Harvard Business School and Kellogg<br />

School of Management. His write-ups have been featured on BBC UK,<br />

CP Africa, YNaija, 360nobs, naijaPOSE and Nairobi-based technology<br />

journals.<br />

Zebra Villa Works<br />

is a creative firm dedicated to building educative and engaging<br />

games such as board games, puzzles and teasers. Using advanced<br />

methods and gamification strategies, they provide a better way to<br />

educate users (learners and players).<br />

holds a BA in communication from the University of Waterloo in<br />

Canada and a Masters in International Marketing Strategy from<br />

the University of Northampton in the United Kingdom. Originally<br />

from Senegal, she is a pan African strategy and communications<br />

professional, who has lived in over 12 countries and currently works<br />

at Business Day as a strategy and partnerships associate. She also<br />

interviews some of Africa’s brightest millennials through the various<br />

Business Day platforms.<br />

Osa Seven<br />

is a Nigerian graffiti artist, brand developer and GFX designer. His<br />

work ranges from portraits of iconic characters to scenic images,<br />

brand designs, abstract art, and tribal art designs. He has since<br />

worked with companies like MTV, Jameson, Absolut Vodka, Pernod<br />

Ricard, HP, Africa, Guinness, Smirnoff, Heineken, <strong>The</strong> Federal<br />

Government of Nigeria.<br />

Plug ‘n’ Play<br />

he grind, late nights, rehearsals, shows, events<br />

and fans is what makes us want to do more.<br />

TEveryone loves the latest hit song. With itchy ears and<br />

a thirst for what’s new, the audience strap in, hit play<br />

and enter into a world created by some of the best<br />

talent on earth.<br />

Behind the scenes, we compress over a thousand<br />

hours of sweat and decibels into a few minutes of<br />

good music just so everyone else can easily hit Play.<br />

Damilola Oyewusi<br />

is a Content and Digital Marketing Strategist working in the Social<br />

Innovation sector. She uses the power of strategic content and the<br />

dynamic nature of marketing communications to influence and<br />

amplify life-changing innovative solutions to social problems.<br />

Oye Akideinde<br />

is the Regional Director, West Africa – Boomplay Music for Transsnet<br />

Music Limited and is responsible for strategically developing and<br />

managing key relationships in the continent to fulfill its vision of<br />

becoming Africa’s largest sustainable music ecosystem. He is also<br />

the co-founder of 360nobs Limited, a technology driven marketing &<br />

entertainment services firm. With a vast experience in web strategy<br />

& development, he has transformed 360nobs.com platform into 1<br />

of Africa’s biggest lifestyle & entertainment websites catering to<br />

millions of unique visitors monthly.<br />

Ronke Bamisedun<br />

is the founder of BWL Agency, a boutique PR agency based in Lagos,<br />

Nigeria. A highly seasoned PR expert, Ronke has advised<br />

multinational companies such as PANDORA, MOET HENNESSY as<br />

well as many non-government, looking to expand their foot print<br />

in Africa. She studied Media and Communications in Birmingham<br />

City University where she graduated with an Upper 2:1. She holds a<br />

Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) Diploma in Public Affairs<br />

and Communications.<br />

Kikelola Ojewale<br />

is an Associate in the corporate and commercial department of ACAS-<br />

Law. Her areas of interest include intellectual property, corporate<br />

restructuring, corporate finance matters and media, sports and<br />

entertainment. She advises clientele on diverse areas of Intellectual<br />

Property Law and Media Entertainment Law including patents, the<br />

exclusivity of brands and enforcement of trademarks, industrial<br />

designs, copyright matters, brand endorsement transactions and<br />

media matters involving television, music, sports, cinema, advertising,<br />

theatre and film.<br />

Bizzle Osikoya<br />

We’ve seen the music industry crawl, stagger, walk<br />

and run. Now, we’re set to make it fly. How? By<br />

empowering the artistes, producers, promoters,<br />

entrepreneurs and others in between, with a<br />

framework they can plug into to hit the success they<br />

desire.<br />

This is why we joined <strong>The</strong> <strong>Spark</strong> by BusinessDay as<br />

Guest Editor for this month with a focus on <strong>The</strong><br />

Business of Music. From our elite list of veterans as<br />

contributors to our cover feature full of nothing but<br />

sound advice for the enthusiasts in the industry, it<br />

was all planned out to give your journey to stardom a<br />

plug and play effect.<br />

<strong>The</strong> Plug<br />

Guest Editor<br />

Asa Asika<br />

Godwin Tom<br />

Agwu Obinna<br />

is the founder of <strong>The</strong> Godwin Tom Company and iManage Africa, a<br />

talent management and events company. He focuses on developing<br />

tailor-made strategies that suit the business needs and goals of his<br />

clients. With almost 10 years in the industry and practical experience<br />

at management level for Marketing, Public Relations, Image<br />

Consulting, Branding and Publishing; Godwin brings professionalism<br />

to the Entertainment industry with an understanding of the demands<br />

of a business environment.<br />

Oluyemisi Falaye<br />

is the head of the Entertainment Law Group of the law firm of<br />

Adepetun Caxton-Martins Agbor & Segun (ACAS-Law). She has over<br />

the years garnered in-depth experience in providing premium legal<br />

advice and representation to individuals and organisations in the<br />

entertainment industries in Nigeria, which include film, music, theatre,<br />

art, television, radio, publishing and digital media.<br />

Asides entertainment law, ‘Yemisi also has a wide-range experience in<br />

Intellectual Property, Immigration and Company Secretarial matters<br />

in Nigeria. She focuses on prosecution of trademark, patent,<br />

copyright and design on behalf of clients.<br />

is an A&R, Talent Manager and Music Business Consultant who is<br />

passionate about the music business and the great heights that are<br />

attainable for the African continent. Writer of the now concluded <strong>The</strong><br />

Mob’s Take article and reviews series. Agwu Obinna is senior partner<br />

at the Lagos based TwoGoodHeads Inc, which he co-runs with his<br />

brother and partner.<br />

Dayo Adeyelure<br />

is a dynamic marketing professional and the CEO of Uber<br />

Sponsorships, with significant experience in front line marketing<br />

strategy, sponsorship leveraging and evaluation, Content acquisition<br />

and monetization, business development and events management.<br />

Expertise in developing effective alliances and Partnerships, crossselling<br />

activations, mass communication deployments and event/<br />

strategy conception, ideation and implementation processes.<br />

Published By<br />

Publisher<br />

Frank Aigbogun<br />

Head of Business Development &<br />

Client Services<br />

Ikenna Onuorah<br />

Head of Marketing<br />

Akintunde Marinho<br />

Head of Business & Growth<br />

Oghenevwoke Ighure<br />

Editor<br />

Anthony Osae-Brown<br />

Head of Advertising & Sales<br />

Kola Garuba<br />

Guest Editor<br />

<strong>The</strong> Plug (Bizzle Osikoya &<br />

Asa Asika)<br />

Creative Director<br />

Segun Adekoye<br />

Art director<br />

Kola Oshalusi<br />

Advertising<br />

Linda Ochugbua<br />

Head of Strategy & Planning<br />

Bankole Jamgbadi<br />

Managing Editor<br />

Lanre Solarin<br />

Project Manager<br />

Lehlé Baldé<br />

Specialist Editor<br />

Michelle Edoreh<br />

Associate Editors<br />

Ayandola Ayanleke<br />

Akpobome Otobrise<br />

Design<br />

Sodeinde Oladapo<br />

In-house Photographer<br />

James Otihi<br />

Address:<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spark</strong>: 21, Military Street, Off King<br />

George V Street, Lagos Island.<br />

BusinessDay Media Ltd: 6 Point Rd,<br />

Apapa, Lagos.<br />

Enquiries:<br />

+2348123183458, +2347030951270,<br />

+2348182799268<br />

Email: info@thesparkng.com<br />

Website: www.thesparkng.com<br />

Social media:<br />

@thesparkng<br />

Copyright © <strong>2018</strong> Ice-One. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or be transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or<br />

mechanical, without prior permission of Ice-One.<br />

Head of Operations<br />

Fabian Akagha<br />

We do not endorse any products or services mentioned in any of the articles and are not responsible for the outcome of using such products or services.<br />

@thesparkng<br />

1


<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spark</strong> | Ignite/Connect/Achieve www.thesparkng.com www.thesparkng.com <strong>The</strong> <strong>Spark</strong> | Ignite/Connect/Achieve<br />

3<br />

5<br />

Bottom Line<br />

Content<br />

Building A Sustainable Brand<br />

BOTTOM LINE<br />

Building A Sustainable Brand<br />

WIREDIN<br />

1. Innovation and Music<br />

2. <strong>The</strong> Ultimate App Guide To Music<br />

Production<br />

Dayo Adeyelure is the MD/CEO of Uber Sponsorships – a sponsorship consultancy, brand<br />

partnership, and talent booking agency in the entertainment industry. In this exposé, Dayo<br />

shares key insights on how up and coming artistes, producers and entrepreneurs in the<br />

industry can acquire funding, grow sustainable businesses and build kickass brands.<br />

- By Dayo Adeyelure<br />

9<br />

FASTFORWARD<br />

<strong>The</strong> Future of Music Distribution<br />

10 14<br />

PRO BONO<br />

1. Music Publishing: <strong>The</strong> New Wave<br />

2. Understanding Music Laws In<br />

Nigeria<br />

VITAL SIGNS<br />

Growth And Music<br />

18<br />

FREESTYLE<br />

Art and Music<br />

Funding A Career In <strong>The</strong> Music Industry<br />

<strong>The</strong> basic misconception in ‘funding’ a career is the one of<br />

‘money’. In actual terms, funding a career is simply ACCESS.<br />

Access can come in varying forms, the most common being<br />

money. It is important to note that aside from money there are<br />

several critical things needing to align for a successful career; the<br />

singular most important being human capital and networking.<br />

To fully understand the proper way to fund a music career,<br />

the concept of ‘Value or Value Added’ must be appreciated.<br />

Everything you get, earn or have access to use for economic<br />

benefit is Funding. This can include something as intangible as<br />

goodwill, a reference to actual tangible value of cash or use of<br />

assets (equipment).<br />

I tend to see issues and setbacks as obstacles to overcome to<br />

reach your goals, and in response to the aforementioned<br />

challenges, I’d say NETWORK. It is incomparable the amount of<br />

goodwill, opportunities and ‘deals’ you would find if you insert<br />

yourself in the right positions to meet people. Networking is also<br />

not just about ‘meeting’ as it takes significant work to strategize<br />

on who, how and when to approach an investor, partner or<br />

company and pitch your position. So it’s not about being at all<br />

the parties or events, its more about selecting the right places<br />

and people to meet, and be readily armed with your pitch, a<br />

good story to tell, and a winning smile. Networking has always<br />

been the strongest platform in my career. I try to put myself in a<br />

position or environment where I can meet people who I think can<br />

be of support at some point in time.<br />

19<br />

20 24 28<br />

As a consultant, my first advice to a person looking for funding,<br />

is to identify and quantify all the requirements they need to<br />

achieve their objectives and identify the cash and non-cash<br />

components. We are able to provide business advisory, core<br />

intellectual property management and general logistic and<br />

operational support. While you can’t deposit these offerings,<br />

they are provided with economic capital of time, resource<br />

allocation and most importantly intellectual investment, and YES<br />

they have to be paid for in CASH.<br />

START UP<br />

Music 101<br />

THE SPARK EFFECT<br />

30 32 33<br />

BRANDSPARK<br />

CHIDI OKEKE<br />

Into <strong>The</strong> Mind of A Music Maven<br />

ENGAGE<br />

NativeMag vs Culture Custodian 1. <strong>The</strong> Chef<br />

2. Alpha-Beta<br />

FEATURES<br />

1. Artiste Spotlight: DNA<br />

2. Building A Solid Music Career<br />

WHAT NEXT?<br />

INTUNE WITH…<br />

Ronke Bamisedun on Music and<br />

Tourism<br />

Human capital remains the single most important platform for<br />

entrepreneurs looking to start a business in the industry. Success<br />

is normally measured by the quality of people you surround<br />

yourself with. However, cash remains king, and is a quick and<br />

seamless way of those key pieces of hardware and equipment,<br />

so I guess an equal and even split of efforts in generating cash<br />

and cultivating human capital/building a network of support<br />

(Infrastructure or Goodwill) would be my position.<br />

<strong>The</strong> Challenges<br />

One major challenge is that many newbies get very desperate<br />

and accept anything that looks like cash. <strong>The</strong>y are likely to<br />

do anything and accept any term in exchange for funding.<br />

<strong>The</strong>y practically sell themselves in exchange for cash. Due to<br />

the nature of our industry environment of man-know-man<br />

or “come back with experience,” it is very hard for newbies to<br />

break through. It becomes practically impossible for a talented<br />

yet unconnected person to make it primarily due to the lack of<br />

opportunity, funding and infrastructure.<br />

2 3<br />

@thesparkng<br />

@thesparkng


<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spark</strong> | Ignite/Connect/Achieve www.thesparkng.com www.thesparkng.com <strong>The</strong> <strong>Spark</strong> | Ignite/Connect/Achieve<br />

<strong>The</strong> Role Of Music Labels<br />

Wired In<br />

<strong>The</strong>re are two schools of thought; people who feel the music labels are a<br />

waste of time and people who feel they are the foundation. Music labels<br />

in Nigeria are not currently doing what they’re supposed to do. <strong>The</strong>se<br />

labels want to be the booking agent, the talent manager, the record label,<br />

publisher, among others. <strong>The</strong> labels try to position themselves as all-inone<br />

and that is one of the major challenges of operating with music labels<br />

in Nigeria. I believe they should specialize in just producing music and<br />

leave the rest to the specialist experts in distribution, publishing, booking,<br />

etc. Doing the right thing will help them protect their investments. <strong>The</strong>y<br />

can have royalties and percentages across board which means higher<br />

profits for all. It is important to re-focus the labels in the vein, as the issues<br />

you find are primarily due to the labels being stretched thin, fingers in<br />

every pie, and doing everything but actual music production!<br />

Forming Strategic Partnerships For Growth<br />

<strong>The</strong>re are quite a number of partnerships across the different sectors. In<br />

music distribution, there are those who do the distribution of hard copies<br />

(CD and DVD) and those who do it digitally like Spotify, Cloud 9, iTunes,<br />

etc. It is becoming a bit easier because these platforms constantly look<br />

for content, regardless of the popularity. <strong>The</strong> world is going digital and<br />

rightly so, artistes should ensure that they can follow the new trend of<br />

digital distribution, from a knowledge and operational standpoint. I put<br />

knowledge before operations, simply because of the sheer number of<br />

failed partnerships, ventures and music deals. It’s easy to point fingers<br />

and lay blame, but the foundation of most music partnerships are based<br />

on shaky grounds. Take a label, working to do and become everything<br />

from distribution to branding to road management to everything, and<br />

justifying this with increased ‘share’. <strong>The</strong> artiste will at some point, feel<br />

the amounts generated by his/her brand and talents, are not reaching<br />

him/her from a personal standpoint. This is where the ‘What did you sign’<br />

and ‘Contract review’ issues come up creating distrust, real or perceived<br />

slights and the general breakdown in communication. <strong>The</strong>re also remains<br />

a significant responsibility for the artiste to clearly understand what sorts<br />

of partnership terms and commitments he is willing to enter into, and<br />

critically for how long.<br />

<strong>The</strong>re remains a need for strategic partnership, but the number one factor<br />

should be transparency, following which knowledge gained and applied<br />

can be used for mutually beneficial relationships. I’ve always believed in<br />

professional advice for both artiste and label, which is one of the functions<br />

our entity provides, from a position of strength garnered from years of<br />

experience in both good and not so good strategic relations.<br />

Working with Managers<br />

<strong>The</strong> first thing you do before you hire/work a manager, is to get a Lawyer!<br />

(Preferably one with experience in entertainment matters). Despite<br />

the cumbersome and difficult legal process in Nigeria, the benefits<br />

far outweigh any other issues. It is critical to define the performance<br />

indicators of managers, and identify simple measuring tools for them.<br />

Number of gigs, number of road shows, endorsement deals, etc. Simple<br />

and quantifiable metrics will ensure that the review periods are seamless<br />

and transparent. It is also important to note that the manager’s ability is<br />

largely dependent on your talent. If you have quality content, it’s only<br />

reasonable to expect some attention and buzz, which the manager will<br />

harness and turn into monetization opportunities, wherein he gets paid.<br />

I fully believe that a Manager/Artiste relationship should be a strategic<br />

partnership, with both parties having skin in the game to ensure goal<br />

congruence. This eliminates issues of pricing, transparency and drives<br />

collective behaviour.<br />

Financial Prudency Regardless Of <strong>The</strong> Glitz And Glam<br />

<strong>The</strong>re is a certain level of opulence the music industry promotes. However,<br />

it is important to note that even Superstars live in moderation! Sure you<br />

“<br />

Nowadays, organisations pay for<br />

positive social media influence.<br />

<strong>The</strong>y are moving from music<br />

artistes to influencers. Build your<br />

base of influence.<br />

“<br />

can buy expensive designer wear for the biggest red carpet, but daily, it’s<br />

better to be in the studio in tee and jeans, trust me no one will check your<br />

labels. Artistes who started from scratch and made a name for themselves,<br />

are quite well off, but yet have decorum and prudence with their finances<br />

and purchases. You will find them in some glitzy razz matazz, but it’s all for<br />

the ‘camera’ as they say, and when they get home, it’s grinding and more<br />

music. I have been privileged to work with a few of them, and honestly<br />

the glitziest thing you can do is continue to make chart topping music,<br />

everything else is for the ‘gram’ and therefore not as important. <strong>The</strong>se<br />

guys know the value of money and try not to abuse it. My advice is for new<br />

artistes to try to align with the financial management and economic savvy<br />

of these artistes. You can have the glitz and glam but focus on delivering<br />

value through your content and you will be fine.<br />

Getting Your First Endorsement Deal Through Social<br />

influence<br />

<strong>The</strong> idea of endorsement only started getting popular about five years<br />

ago, and before then, artistes were making it big. You can’t have just<br />

one or two hit songs and then feel it’s good enough to start getting<br />

endorsement deals. Companies don’t just throw endorsements away,<br />

there is always an objective. And if you figure out what the objectives of<br />

the company are, you can then tailor yourself to be an ambassador for<br />

that brand.<br />

Nowadays, organisations pay for positive social media influence. <strong>The</strong>y are<br />

moving from music artistes to influencers. Build your base of influence,<br />

pick two or three organisations with a problem you can solve through<br />

your music or through your online influence and make a proposal. It all<br />

still boils down to networking; who have you met, who do you know,<br />

whose hands have you shook and who have you had a discussion with?<br />

Those are the guys that will fight your battles for you.<br />

Even if you’re not an artiste with popular music but you know how social<br />

media works and you have millions of subscribers, you can begin to<br />

monetise your followership. That is measurable impact for brands because<br />

you can track response and reach to sponsored ads. If you are not selling<br />

music, go social.<br />

Giving Back Through Investment<br />

Those who have succeeded reinvest in talent so they can control the<br />

ecosystem. <strong>The</strong>y look for talent that will come under them and start that<br />

process all over again. That is the best way to reinvest, if you want to<br />

remain in the industry. <strong>The</strong>re are other ways to invest, but the best is to<br />

groom people that you can control and then you can start a business<br />

from there.<br />

In Summary<br />

Always seek professional help. Don’t assume you know everything and<br />

don’t try to emulate everyone. Not all tactics are right. Find your own<br />

grounds, sit with people who know the business, who understand the<br />

business, communicate your objectives and then build a plan around it.<br />

You can then just come over to Uber sponsorships and talk to us.<br />

Innovation<br />

and Music<br />

Oye Akideinde is the co-founder of 360nobs<br />

Limited, a technology driven marketing and<br />

entertainment services firm. In this expose,<br />

he talks about the innovations, trends and<br />

future of the Nigerian music industry in this<br />

technological driven era.<br />

- By Oye Akideinde<br />

<strong>The</strong> Future Of <strong>The</strong> Nigerian Music Industry<br />

<strong>The</strong> demand for homegrown music has never been this high which has<br />

helped to drive a creative and exploitative boom in the country’s<br />

thriving music industry.<br />

I believe it is headed in the right direction with production, composition,<br />

music arrangement along with its support system (skillsets, distribution<br />

platforms, music services, publishing, and touring), improving and getting<br />

better structured.<br />

Nigerian artistes are now collaborating internationally more and more.<br />

<strong>The</strong> Big 3 (Sony, Universal and Warner) are divvying up our biggest and<br />

most promising acts amongst each other. Our music keeps getting played<br />

worldwide.<br />

This growth can be tied to a number of factors working in<br />

our favour;<br />

• Home court advantage: Most of the songs or videos played on<br />

radio; TV stations and public spaces are Nigerian music. Compared<br />

to 10 years ago, the acceptance and demand for local music over the<br />

international ones is simply amazing.<br />

• <strong>The</strong> African diaspora: Consumers help drive popularity and virality<br />

of music generally so by having a huge diaspora who hunger for<br />

entertainment from home, Nigerian music has been successfully<br />

exported in volumes to cater to the global market. Live events<br />

like One Africa Music Fest have also turned out to become very<br />

successful.<br />

• <strong>The</strong> sound: Nigerian producers have been able to successfully fuse<br />

African elements into hip-hop, reggae, soul, pop, RnB, dancehall<br />

along with our own Nigerian and African genres.<br />

• Size: <strong>The</strong> volume of music being churned out in Nigeria by artistes is<br />

astounding.<br />

Innovations to Look out For<br />

Digitalization has affected the Nigerian music industry in a big way. As<br />

music moves online, so does the consumer experience. Through<br />

technology, artistes can now make music from their laptops and mobile<br />

phones. <strong>The</strong>y can also distribute to over 170 stores globally.<br />

As we continue to see the Nigerian music industry grow, these are some of<br />

the innovations I look forward to:<br />

• Micropayments: Building a successful micropayment solution will act<br />

as a driving force to grow music consumption and revenues for the<br />

artistes. Nigeria and Africa continue to cry for that killer mobile<br />

payment solution that works within our issues – offline, online,<br />

banked, under-banked, and unbanked and will allow consumers the<br />

freedom to utilize their digital wallets.<br />

• New music services and apps: <strong>The</strong> opportunities for music related<br />

apps in Nigeria is huge as the growth in Smartphone usage continue<br />

to rise. As long as App developers can create killer apps that solve<br />

problems, appeal or are very useful to Nigerians, adoption of these<br />

apps will grow in tandem with the smartphone growth.<br />

• Sound Engineering for Live Events: I see an opportunity to make the<br />

sound quality at events better. Some of the events I have been to<br />

have such terrible user experience and I know a lot of artistes who say<br />

this is the reason why they rather mime to sound recordings than do<br />

live performances.<br />

• Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality & Live Streaming of Events: It<br />

provides more access to those who can’t readily go and watch their<br />

favourite artistes. It can also give musicians the valuable exposure<br />

they need to be successful as it can be difficult for artistes to<br />

physically tour and reach a wider audience, but with VR, AR, and live<br />

streaming, they can be in more places than one. Imagine having<br />

a sold out concert at Eko Hotel with over 10,000 attendees and a<br />

further 100,000 experiencing it using a smartphone from the comfort<br />

of their own homes.<br />

Promoting Longevity In <strong>The</strong> Industry<br />

<strong>The</strong>re are a number of things that artistes and other game players in the<br />

industry can do to ensure longevity in the music industry.<br />

• See this as a career. Treat music like a proper job …like an 8 to 5.<br />

• Be very hardworking, have the hunger to improve; and an insight into<br />

the market you are releasing your records to.<br />

• Be creative and innovative with your sound so it can appeal to<br />

Nigerians.<br />

4 5<br />

@thesparkng<br />

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<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spark</strong> | Ignite/Connect/Achieve www.thesparkng.com www.thesparkng.com <strong>The</strong> <strong>Spark</strong> | Ignite/Connect/Achieve<br />

• As with any other chosen career, you will need to research the music<br />

industry. Find out what’s popular, what’s doing well, and what’s<br />

fading.<br />

• Keep up with the trends …don’t be behind the times — be ahead!<br />

• Believe you can DIY (Do It Yourself) - Connect with fans; Have a brand<br />

identity & awareness; play to your strengths;<br />

• Manage your finances; save for the rainy periods.<br />

• Keep plugging away. Rejection is very common in the music industry.<br />

No one wants to help out; competition is very fierce. Just stay<br />

consistent. Never give up (unless you find out that you truly have no<br />

talent). Rejections lead to success.<br />

• Read, learn, practice. Just keep acquiring knowledge in the field and<br />

try to be the best you can be. Also acquire knowledge on music<br />

business and other services that support your craft.<br />

• Remember to always stay positive and believe in yourself! Keep<br />

working hard and stay focused.<br />

In the end, there isn’t any right or wrong way to achieve longevity but<br />

these tips above do help.<br />

Leveraging Tools Available<br />

First realize that no one is waiting for your music. If people are going to<br />

become fans of your music, you must approach the promoting of<br />

releases with the same planning and professionalism as the artistes<br />

whom you admire have promoted their music. Marketing music has<br />

changed drastically in the age of the Internet and social media. This digital<br />

technology has the potential to take your music to the world.<br />

Use the Internet and all its tools to your advantage. Besides having your<br />

own domain name and website where you promote releases and shows,<br />

you definitely need a presence on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Try<br />

not to over-commit your time to social media, however. It’s better to have<br />

an execution plan and schedule for your social media rather than do a<br />

poor or infrequent job of staying in touch with your fan-base. Make access<br />

to your music easy through Boomplay Music, YouTube, or promotional<br />

sites like 360nobs.com and SoundCloud.<br />

Permission-based marketing using emails to your fanbase is a proven<br />

winner—these are people who clicked on the subscribe link and showed<br />

willingness to stay updated with your news and new releases! Having a<br />

newsletter which people can join is one of the best ways to communicate<br />

and build up relationships with fans.<br />

Contribution of New Media to the Music Industry<br />

New Media has helped in breaking down the walls between musicians and<br />

fans and is responsible for possibly the biggest shift in the music industry.<br />

In today’s digital music environment, access to content for music fans has<br />

never been easier. Consumers now have more choice than ever to stream<br />

songs using a range of ‘all-you-can-eat’ services such as Boomplay Music,<br />

Spotify, Apple Music & SoundCloud.<br />

New Media has given musicians more control over the distribution of their<br />

music and through the use of these DIY services; many Nigerian artists<br />

now have the option to bypass the industry conventions completely and<br />

promote their music to a larger audience.<br />

Social media has also played a massive role, as artistes no longer need to<br />

appeal to millions of people to succeed and make their mark. Instead, a<br />

group of even a few hundred loyal fans on the gram can enable Nigerian<br />

artistes to pursue their dreams.<br />

Furthermore, due to the rise in digital music production software such as<br />

Fruity Loops, music creation is now more accessible than ever before.<br />

Because of this, there are now loads of Nigerian artistes, which ultimately<br />

leads to more variety and choice listeners.<br />

Leverage the data provided by the social media platforms. Tapping into<br />

the analytics can help you further your own creativity. You get to<br />

understand how fans feel about your music and the demographics of your<br />

fan-base. Do remember that Marketing and social media aren’t easy, but<br />

it’s what gets your music heard.<br />

<strong>The</strong> Ultimate App Guide To<br />

Music Production<br />

Music production from ideation to promotion has been made easy with mobile apps. You can<br />

now make the music of your choice with just a click on your mobile phone.<br />

Music is a universal language, even though it appeals to us<br />

in different ways. It can be a way to cool off after a<br />

stressful day, a source of entertainment, inspiration,<br />

etc. It is no wonder that music is as old as man himself. And like<br />

everything, it has witnessed constant change and improvement.<br />

<strong>The</strong>re was a time when music was only played with musical<br />

instruments because studios were not a thing. <strong>The</strong>n technology<br />

made it possible to record in a studio and fine tune the music.<br />

Now, there are apps that can actually help make your music from<br />

ideation to completion. If you are an independent musician who<br />

cannot afford studio time just yet or you just want to try your<br />

hands at music on your own, this list will help you get started<br />

easily.<br />

- By Ayandola Ayanleke<br />

Song Writing<br />

You better believe it; there apps that help you with song writing.<br />

But no, they do not actually write the lyrics, but they provide help<br />

that you might need in bringing the lyrics together.<br />

• Hum: Although it is a paid app, it comes handy in helping<br />

you write your songs. <strong>The</strong> app allows song writing and<br />

recording simultaneously. So while playing around with the<br />

idea of your lyrics, you can hum the words as well and it will<br />

keep it safe for you till you can get to it.<br />

• Songwriter’s app: <strong>The</strong> beauty of this app is that it provides<br />

suggestions on words and phrases that rhyme as you start<br />

writing and it saves it for you if you need to go back for<br />

more inspiration. But it could even serve as an inspiration<br />

giving you ideas on words or phrases to use next. As with<br />

Hum, you can also record and even add chord notation to<br />

your lyrics.<br />

Mixing<br />

You don’t have to worry so much about becoming an expert at<br />

mixing music with these apps. <strong>The</strong>y can teach and help you<br />

practice at being your own DJ.<br />

• Mixpad: This app is at your disposal if you want to become<br />

an expert at mixing audio on your mobile device. Featuring<br />

different audio and recording effects, the app offers you<br />

the chance to mix your own music, create podcasts, mix<br />

instrumentals, and other music mash-ups.<br />

“<br />

Digitalization has affected the<br />

Nigerian music industry in a big way.<br />

As music moves online, so does the<br />

consumer experience.<br />

“<br />

• Edjing: Edjing DJ Music Mixer Studio offers you the DJ<br />

software in a mobile phone. It can pull music from Deezer,<br />

Soundcloud and your own folder to mix at a click with DJ<br />

features.<br />

6 7<br />

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<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spark</strong> | Ignite/Connect/Achieve www.thesparkng.com www.thesparkng.com <strong>The</strong> <strong>Spark</strong> | Ignite/Connect/Achieve<br />

Album Cover Design<br />

<strong>The</strong> album cover is almost as important as the music itself because the<br />

appeal of an album cover draws the audience to the music. So you want to<br />

take advantage of these apps to design awesome album covers.<br />

• Album cover maker: Providing you with different photo effects as<br />

well, you are on your way to creating your own album cover. And the<br />

great thing is that it allows you to own your own design.<br />

Recording<br />

You have nothing to worry about when recording amazing music because<br />

these apps are here for you. However, most recording apps come at a little<br />

price but they are worth it.<br />

• Chord: Chord is free for Android users but comes at a price for IOS.<br />

<strong>The</strong> app allows you record songs with different accompanying<br />

instruments at your disposal.<br />

FastForward<br />

<strong>The</strong> Future of<br />

Music Distribution<br />

Constantly updated technology assures that the future of music distribution is<br />

something interesting to watch out for.<br />

Segun Adekoye<br />

• Adobe <strong>Spark</strong>: You can find Adobe <strong>Spark</strong> as a website and an app. You<br />

might prefer going through the website to sign in. It also makes it<br />

possible to create designs for your album cover and offers flexibility<br />

as well.<br />

Audio Editing<br />

You don’t have to worry about spending a lot to get audio editing software.<br />

<strong>The</strong>se apps have got you covered.<br />

• WavePad Audio Editor: <strong>The</strong> app allows you to record, edit and even<br />

add special effects to your music. Reviews from users says it is easy to<br />

use. Also, you can share to another device to continue editing.<br />

• Mp3 Cutter: This app assists you in cutting and merging audio files.<br />

Featuring many audio editing features, it is easy and fun to use.<br />

Making Beat<br />

Making great beats have been made easy with these apps.<br />

• Korg Koassilator: With this app, you can record any type of music<br />

because it comes with special features that will help you work on the<br />

songs as well.<br />

Sales<br />

When you are done with the production of your music, the dream of every<br />

musician is to be able to make some revenue from their work. You don’t<br />

have to worry for long; you can use these apps to make some money from<br />

the sales of your music.<br />

• Ecwid: It is like an online mall where you can have your own online<br />

store. It provides the opportunity to sell whatever, including apps and<br />

music from other channels like Facebook and eBay. You will be able<br />

to track your orders and inventory. You must have an Ecwid account<br />

and paid subscription to use.<br />

• Amazon: You can also sell your music on Amazon. All you need is an<br />

account as well and then you can upload your music. And because<br />

Amazon has many subscribers or shoppers, you have the opportunity<br />

to promote your music to a larger audience.<br />

“Music and me<br />

Go together; perfect harmony<br />

Soft and mellow<br />

Or so hard it’ll make your speakers explode<br />

Stay with me<br />

And together we’ll live out this dream,<br />

My music and me”<br />

One of the most intriguing things about our world is the human nature’s deep<br />

romance with music. While almost all other relationships fall apart and<br />

sometimes become almost irreconcilable, it is harder to fall out-of-love with<br />

music. From the vibrations we feel in our mothers’ wombs to the way our world is<br />

interspersed with trebles and clefs, we become more interested in how we carry our<br />

songs than what they convey to us.<br />

From the era of transistor radios, which kicked off in 1954, till it morphed into<br />

Boomboxes in the early to mid ‘70s, music distribution was still in its primordial era.<br />

This was due to the fact that listening to your favourite songs was heavily reliant on<br />

electronic signals from radio stations. This improved with the introduction of the<br />

Sony Walkman in 1979 and the Discman in 1984, which rocked into the early to late<br />

‘90s. <strong>The</strong> most impressive part is the introduction of portable music storage devices<br />

like the MP3 players and iPods at the turn of the millennium allowing for the storage<br />

of near-infinite number of songs with high quality audio outputs.<br />

Now, what we have is the fusion of music storage and streaming devices with the<br />

mobile phones. One of the prominent reasons consumers seek for phones with large<br />

storage memory sizes is to store audios and videos. Vehicles are now branded with<br />

Bluetooth and MP3 logos to indicate compatibilities with mobile phones for easy<br />

music streaming. This kills the need for compact discs.<br />

Listening to music has also evolved from using earphones with connecting jacks to<br />

wireless earphones like the Airpods, Bose or Beats headphones. While it is easy to<br />

buy your favourite songs from street hawkers in Lagos, or from the ‘Computer Village<br />

boys’, it is even easier to download them to your devices from sites like NotJustOk or<br />

apps like Apple Music and BoomPlay.<br />

• Music Maker Jam: Having over 300 Mix Packs in its database, you<br />

have the opportunity to own your own beat and create your own<br />

sounds. You can also record, edit and share your music directly to<br />

social media.<br />

• FL Studio Mobile: FL Studio is a popular beat making software and<br />

now, the mobile app is available. You can now make your own beats<br />

with their different music styles and you can even upload songs you<br />

have been working on earlier to the app to continue.<br />

Promotion<br />

If you are interested in promoting your music to a large audience, you can<br />

use any of social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and<br />

Youtube. Facebook and Instagram in particular, have an option for ads<br />

that you can pay a token for.<br />

Sharing<br />

Sharing your music has also been made easy with apps like Shazam,<br />

Spotify, Soundcloud. Millions of people are subscribed to these apps and<br />

you will expose your music to that large audience. And if you are just a<br />

lover of music, then you can play around and share your music with your<br />

friends with these apps.<br />

This list is by no means exhaustive. While this is not a replacement for<br />

standard tools, you will be surprised at the number of apps you will find<br />

that actually help in one way or the other. <strong>The</strong>se apps above can however<br />

assist you from ideation to the promotion of your music.<br />

“<br />

<strong>The</strong> only foreseeable technologies<br />

that will impact on music<br />

distribution in the future will be<br />

wearables, cloud storage and<br />

connected devices (IoT)<br />

“<br />

Musicians, more than ever, understand consumers’ need of portability and easy<br />

access, and therefore seek possible distribution touch points to access their fan base.<br />

Although the present is evident, there isn’t a crystal ball that perfectly gives what<br />

distribution of music will look like in the nearest future. <strong>The</strong> only foreseeable<br />

technologies that will impact on music distribution in the future will be wearables,<br />

cloud storage and connected devices (IoT). With the advent of the Apple Watch’s<br />

cellular connectivity, it is possible to listen to music remotely while your phone is<br />

several miles away. Several other wearables will adopt this technology to make music<br />

streaming even more portable. Internet of Things (IoT) has begun to play its role in<br />

distribution using AI devices such as the Apple HomePod, Google Home or Amazon’s<br />

Alexa. <strong>The</strong> future will see the introduction of other devices that fit well into the office<br />

or home architecture to distribute music with the help of AI, while songs would be<br />

hosted on the cloud.<br />

<strong>The</strong>se are beautiful thoughts. No matter what happens, humans would always ensure<br />

that they take their favourite jams everywhere they go, even if it means weaving audio<br />

files into their fabric yarns to improve portability.<br />

8 9<br />

@thesparkng<br />

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<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spark</strong> | Ignite/Connect/Achieve www.thesparkng.com www.thesparkng.com <strong>The</strong> <strong>Spark</strong> | Ignite/Connect/Achieve<br />

Pro Bono<br />

- By Kikelola Ojewale<br />

Music Publishing:<br />

<strong>The</strong> New Wave<br />

Kike Ojewale is an Associate at Adepetun, Caxton-Martins, Agbor & Segun (ACAS-Law), a top<br />

Law firm in Nigeria, offering a wide range of services. In this piece, she shares some insight on<br />

how best artistes can benefit from music publishing, but from a legal perspective.<br />

Key Points To Look Out For In A Publishing Agreement<br />

Again, never sign a publishing agreement without the advice of a lawyer.<br />

On a practical scale, the best way to engage a publisher as an artiste, is to<br />

ensure you create a good body of work that is actually attractive to the<br />

publisher. Anything less than attractive puts more risk on the publisher.<br />

<strong>The</strong> main points to look out for in a publishing agreement are;<br />

1. <strong>The</strong> term of the agreement. <strong>The</strong> term of the agreement is the length<br />

of the agreement. Most publishers would either insist on a specific<br />

term or until a specific number of songs have been delivered.<br />

2. <strong>The</strong> territory. Would the agreement cover Nigeria or would it be a<br />

worldwide deal? A worldwide territory allows a publisher to maximise<br />

its earnings as a wider territory is being covered.<br />

3. <strong>The</strong> scope and the composition. Agreements should be specific on<br />

the songs which form part of the publishing deal.<br />

4. <strong>The</strong> ownership. This is one of the most important terms in a<br />

publishing deal. In most publishing agreements, a publisher would<br />

aim to own 100% of the copyright. However, it is important for an<br />

artiste to insist on 100% ownership or at the very least, a 50/50 split.<br />

5. Administration. This grants publishers the right to exploit and<br />

control that composition. This also allows publishers to collect<br />

monies from rights granted to third parties. Industry practice is<br />

about 10-15% depending on the bargaining power of the artiste.<br />

Securing Your Rights As A Music Artiste<br />

This is mainly contractual and such rights must be negotiated based on<br />

the advice of a lawyer. An artiste can take legal actions if there is a breach<br />

of any of the terms of the agreement. Such options for legal action should<br />

be defined clearly in the agreement. For example, the parties can agree<br />

to resolve any issues within thirty days of the notice of said issue. In the<br />

event that the matter is not resolved within the stipulated thirty days, the<br />

agreement can be terminated or the matter may be referred to court or<br />

other alternative dispute resolutions such as arbitration or mediation.<br />

Terminating Contracts<br />

This should not be overlooked in an agreement. It is advisable to ensure<br />

that any of the parties cannot terminate the agreement without notice or<br />

cause. In the event that the agreement does not state that reasons must<br />

be given for termination, it should include a notice period at least. A welldrafted<br />

agreement should have an exit clause for both parties to give the<br />

parties an opportunity to seek other options or exit the relationship.<br />

Handling Piracy<br />

In an industry such as ours, we need to take more drastic measures in<br />

tackling the issue of piracy. It would appear that the existence of online<br />

platforms where direct downloads are restricted - sometimes for a fee<br />

- has restricted piracy to a certain extent. If there is a restriction on the<br />

methods in which music is distributed, this could contribute largely to the<br />

fight against piracy.<br />

<strong>The</strong> Future of Music Publishing in Nigeria<br />

<strong>The</strong>re has been an increase in the number of publishing companies being<br />

established in Nigeria. It appears that these companies are educating<br />

themselves on publishing and applying that knowledge to the industry<br />

here in Nigeria. <strong>The</strong> recently established Music Publishers Association<br />

of Nigeria (MPAN) is also a step in the right direction. Members or the<br />

entertainment industry must be educated and fully informed of their<br />

rights with respect to publishing and copyright as a whole. It appears to<br />

be a very slow process but there is certainly hope for the future.<br />

- By Kikelola Ojewale<br />

<strong>The</strong> Association between Law and Music Publishing<br />

“<br />

<strong>The</strong> best way to<br />

engage a<br />

publisher as an<br />

artiste, is to ensure<br />

you create a good<br />

body of work<br />

that is actually<br />

attractive to the<br />

publisher.<br />

“<br />

Publishing is a new and developing segment of the music industry in Nigeria. It is essentially<br />

the monetisation of your copyright. Copyright grants the creator of an original work<br />

exclusive rights for its use and distribution. <strong>The</strong> relationship between a music publisher<br />

and an artiste is crystallised in a publishing agreement which is executed by all parties<br />

involved. Although we do not have specific laws that govern music publishing in Nigeria, the<br />

fundamentals can be found within our copyright laws.<br />

<strong>The</strong> general issue in Nigeria is the basic understanding of what music publishing entails. <strong>The</strong>re<br />

are a number of “publishers” who establish companies without the basic knowledge of<br />

publishing or how the administrative angle of publishing works. Also, some artistes are yet to<br />

grasp the concept of publishing and as such are not totally aware of their rights. Most times,<br />

artistes unknowingly sign away all of their rights to the benefit of the record or publishing<br />

companies. It is advisable to engage the services of a lawyer when negotiating a publishing<br />

deal.<br />

<strong>The</strong> Importance of a Lawyer When Signing a Contract<br />

It is extremely important to engage the services of a lawyer when negotiating a publishing<br />

deal and drafting a publishing contract. We have worked with a number of artistes who have<br />

regrettably signed deals that have not been favourable to them. Unfortunately, some artistes<br />

with an incredible catalogue of music, have lost potentially, millions of dollars to unclaimed<br />

publishing rights.<br />

Need legal advice? Send in your questions. See page 33.<br />

10 11<br />

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<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spark</strong> | Ignite/Connect/Achieve www.thesparkng.com www.thesparkng.com <strong>The</strong> <strong>Spark</strong> | Ignite/Connect/Achieve<br />

Understanding Music<br />

Laws In Nigeria<br />

‘Yemisi Falaye is the Head of Entertainment Law Group at Adepetun, Caxton-Martins, Agbor<br />

and Segun (ACAS-Law), a top law firm in Nigeria. In this interview, she discusses the music laws<br />

in Nigeria and why the game players in the music industry cannot do without them.<br />

- By ‘Yemisi Falaye<br />

What is music law and why is it a significant aspect of law?<br />

Q: Q:<br />

Music law is essentially a part of entertainment law that<br />

A: A:<br />

Q:<br />

A:<br />

Q:<br />

A:<br />

guides specific issues in the music industry such as<br />

music publishing, music licensing, copyright ownership,<br />

amongst others. Music law is a highly significant aspect<br />

of law because, as I said earlier, it guides the affairs<br />

of the stakeholders in the industry and it regulates<br />

their conducts accordingly. Like every other aspect of<br />

human endeavours, the entertainment/music industry<br />

is governed by laws. Music law basically provides<br />

protections for players in the music industry. It governs<br />

the activities of musicians, producers, record labels<br />

and their employees. In order to guarantee sanity in<br />

the industry, music law is extremely significant and<br />

important.<br />

Artistes and Producers in the space are more concerned<br />

about making good music. Why should they understand<br />

the laws that govern their work?<br />

As an artiste or a producer in the music industry, it can<br />

never be overemphasized that understanding the laws<br />

that govern the industry is compulsory. <strong>The</strong> truth is, the<br />

music business is actually a complex one and so it is<br />

important for the game players to at least understand<br />

the basic legal aspects of the industry. A lot of artistes,<br />

producers, record labels and other people working in<br />

the music industry face complicated legal troubles<br />

that on the long run, ruin their career. This can be<br />

avoided by simply understanding the different basic<br />

laws related to the music industry; such as copyright<br />

ownership, performance, licensing, contracts and other<br />

common music industry practices and regulations. Most<br />

importantly however, it is best to hire a well-grounded<br />

entertainment lawyer who is not only an expert in music<br />

law, but also very conversant with the practical aspect of<br />

the music industry.<br />

Please share some of the most important laws that must<br />

not be ignored, even by newbies in the industry.<br />

Copyright Law, Merchandising Law, Trademarks Law,<br />

Law of Tort, Contract Law, Tax Law. All these laws,<br />

amongst others, aid the regulation of the music industry.<br />

<strong>The</strong>refore, every stakeholder in the industry must get<br />

acquainted to the laws.<br />

What common issues can be faced due to ignorance of<br />

such laws?<br />

<strong>The</strong> most common issue faced by artists in the music<br />

industry is the record label and recording agreement.<br />

Ordinarily, the main role of a record label is to<br />

manufacture, distribute, market, promote and sell its<br />

artiste’s songs. An agreement is usually entered between<br />

both parties, where the duration of the agreement will<br />

be stated; number of songs to be recorded by the artiste;<br />

territory; ownership of copyright and catalogue; royalty<br />

split, etc. will also be stated. A lot of times, artistes<br />

usually sign these agreements without understanding<br />

the nature of the same and also without consulting<br />

an entertainment lawyer. <strong>The</strong>y therefore sell off their<br />

intellectual property rights (and more) in perpetuity in<br />

exchange for nothing.<br />

Another common issue in the music industry is music<br />

sampling. This is an act of recording a part of an already<br />

existing song with or without the permission of the<br />

owner of the existing song. <strong>The</strong> problem usually arises<br />

when an artiste samples a song without the permission<br />

of the original owner. This amounts to infringement of<br />

copyrights and may end up being a litigation issue if not<br />

properly managed. It is therefore advisable for an artiste<br />

to legally sample a song by seeking the permission and<br />

approval of the owner(s) of the existing song. Permission<br />

from copyright owners is required before sampling, no<br />

matter how little the portion of the song is.<br />

Music publishing is another major issue faced by artistes<br />

due to ignorance. As far as I am concerned, music<br />

publishing is the core of music business. I tag music<br />

publishing as a copyright owner’s pension. It is what a<br />

copyright owner relies on as his/her source of income<br />

as long as he/she is entitled to the copyright of the work<br />

(musical and/or literary). Music Publishing is simply the<br />

business of exploiting a song and generating revenue<br />

for such exploitation. A lot of artistes do not realize<br />

that publishing income is not derived from copyright<br />

ownership in sound recordings. It is actually derived<br />

from ownership of the copyrights in the lyrics/songs.<br />

<strong>The</strong>refore, songs writers typically own the copyrights in<br />

the lyrics and should earn from the use of the songs.<br />

It is advisable for artistes to sign with a publishing<br />

company that can assist with keeping a track of the use<br />

of the songs and also collect the revenue generated<br />

accordingly. <strong>The</strong>re are several agreements that can be<br />

entered into between a publishing company and an<br />

artiste; it is therefore important to hire the service of<br />

an entertainment lawyer to ensure proper negotiation.<br />

Q:<br />

A:<br />

Q:<br />

A:<br />

As an artiste or producer, what basic legal documents<br />

should they have in place when getting started? Many just<br />

start off without having solid legal foundations.<br />

As an artiste or a producer, once you have decided to<br />

commence business in the music industry, the first step<br />

to take is to hire an entertainment lawyer. <strong>The</strong> lawyer<br />

will assist in providing the requisite agreements to<br />

hire other experts required for the business, such as a<br />

personal manager, business manager, booking agent<br />

etc. It is also important for the artiste or producer to<br />

be conversant with industry agreements such as split<br />

sheet, producer agreement, performance agreement,<br />

recording agreement, management agreement,<br />

publishing agreement, amongst others. By doing this,<br />

the artiste or producer will develop a solid foundation<br />

and chances of making costly mistakes will be reduced,<br />

if not totally eradicated.<br />

<strong>The</strong> government has requirements from businesses in all<br />

industries. Are there any ones peculiar to the music<br />

industry?<br />

<strong>The</strong>re are no specific or peculiar government<br />

requirements for businesses in the music industry.<br />

Other than the usual business requirements such as<br />

incorporating the company at the Corporate Affairs<br />

Commission, paying taxes etc, there are no other<br />

government regulations governing business in the<br />

music industry.<br />

However, I must mention that the federal government<br />

recently granted pioneer status to companies in the<br />

entertainment industry, specifically for music production,<br />

publishing and distribution etc. Pioneer Status is granted<br />

by the government to exempt beneficiaries from paying<br />

corporate income tax and withholding tax from pioneer<br />

profits for an initial period of three years, which may be<br />

extended for another year or two.<br />

Q:<br />

A:<br />

Q:<br />

A:<br />

“<br />

<strong>The</strong> most<br />

common issue<br />

faced by artists<br />

in the music<br />

industry is the<br />

record label<br />

and recording<br />

agreement.<br />

“<br />

How are businesses in the industry (such as labels,<br />

Producers) taxed?<br />

Music industry businesses are subject to several taxes<br />

like other types of business in Nigeria. All businesses are<br />

required to pay income tax on the profit of the business;<br />

value added tax on consumer of goods and services;<br />

employment tax for employees; personal income tax for<br />

individuals etc.<br />

What legal advice(s) do you have for up and coming<br />

musicians?<br />

Be patient. Never be too much in a hurry to sign deals or<br />

agree to any.<br />

Get a lawyer. This is extremely important; a lawyer will<br />

help ensure that you build the right foundation.<br />

Be original. You may have mentors/idols but never<br />

aspire to be anyone else; carve a niche for yourself, build<br />

your own brand and be committed to it. It will pay off<br />

eventually.<br />

Build a formidable team. Hire a good entertainment<br />

lawyer, business development manager, personal<br />

manager, accountant etc.<br />

Seek advice. Always check with your lawyer, fellow<br />

artistes and other industry stakeholders if you are in<br />

doubt of anything.<br />

Learn to be professional and hardworking. Good<br />

etiquettes will give an artiste a higher advantage over<br />

the one without the same.<br />

Need legal advice? Send in your questions. See page 33.<br />

12 13<br />

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Vital Signs<br />

Growth And Music<br />

conversation and using technology this could be a hugely profitable,<br />

structured venture that could change the way revenue from Nigerian<br />

music downloads is made/distributed.<br />

• Stock market. Why are music labels not listed on the Nigerian Stock<br />

exchange? This again goes to show that more work needs to be<br />

done to create synergy between stakeholders, to truly bring out the<br />

potential of the music industry as a truly viable and profitable one for<br />

the Nigerian economy<br />

My conversation with Altims left me with a lot of questions and opened<br />

me up to a world that I was ignorant about. This is why conversations are<br />

important. It is vital to engage in conversations about the challenges and<br />

opportunities in various industries to continuously improve and innovate.<br />

Music is the universal language that unites people regardless of race, tribe,<br />

religion or ethnicity. It is vital to recognize the value that the music industry<br />

brings to Nigeria, and find ways to unite relevant and important bodies to<br />

make the industry truly viable and profitable for all parties involved.<br />

<strong>The</strong> opportunities in the music industry abound. While the industry puts money into the<br />

pockets of talent, it can also aid the health of the nation through economic growth. But only<br />

if the opportunities are leveraged by stakeholders in the music industry, the government<br />

and corporate bodies.<br />

Nigeria has a very popular and vibrant music scene that<br />

reflects the country’s cultural richness, and over the years<br />

this has translated into international recognition for<br />

many. With a huge population of over 150 million, the country<br />

offers a domestic market large enough to sustain and ensure<br />

the commercial success of most artistic endeavours, so much<br />

so that unlike other African artists who maintain success locally,<br />

many Nigerian artists have found success beyond Nigeria’s<br />

borders into continental Africa and overseas. Artists like Wiz<br />

Kid, Davido, Tiwa Savage, Tekno, Mayorkun, Korede Bello and<br />

many others have conquered their locality and have been able<br />

to maintain an equilibrium of carrying the pride and success of<br />

a ‘local champion’, while still keeping international appeal and<br />

marketability.<br />

Whether you are in Cape Town, London Accra or Toronto, it is<br />

very likely that you will hear a Nigerian song as you go about<br />

your day, on the radio, at restaurants, in the club or at the gym.<br />

Nigerian music is penetrating the world’s eardrums and the<br />

world is more than happy to listen.<br />

<strong>The</strong> Nigerian music industry is arguably the most popular music<br />

genre/industry on the African continent. If one were to critically<br />

take a look at the Nigerian music in its entirety, the relevance<br />

and importance of Nigerian music on the continent and beyond<br />

is evident and cannot be ignored.<br />

Music is the core of many aspects of society. Walk by any street<br />

anywhere in Lagos and you are guaranteed to hear the<br />

electrifying beats that will get you in a good mood. Be it at the<br />

local Suya spot down your street, high society weddings like the<br />

one of Halima Dangote where Davido and Wiz Kid performed,<br />

corporate end of year parties, you name it, almost every aspect<br />

of Nigerian society benefits from the wonderful and creative<br />

sounds that come out of the Nigerian music industry. Not only<br />

does Nigerian music make billions of people feel good, but it is<br />

also a highly profitable industry.<br />

According to a report by Pricewater Cooper, the Nigerian music<br />

industry was worth $40 million in 2011 and $47 million in 2015.<br />

By 2020 this figure is expected to double to $86 million which is<br />

approximately 30 Billion Naira.<br />

Given the huge profits brought in by the industry, which has a<br />

direct correlation on the Nigerian economy, including benefits<br />

like job creation and cultural exportation, one would think that<br />

there would already be structures in place between government/<br />

- By Lehlé Baldé<br />

corporates to enter into mutually beneficial collaborations<br />

that will enhance the viability of the music industry as well<br />

as encourage musically inclined youth to follow their music<br />

paths, but in doing research and having conversations with<br />

stakeholders on this topic, it is evident to see that there is little<br />

to no ongoing collaborations.<br />

I had a conversation with Altims aka Aluku Timothy, one of Mavin<br />

Music’s top producers, about potential ideas that could enhance<br />

and improve the structure and industrialization of the Nigerian<br />

music industry. Here is a recap of our conversation…<br />

• Change of mindset is vital. Given the sometimes, negative<br />

image that the music industry has, many corporate and<br />

government bodies do not get involved with musicians<br />

further than their end of year parties and endorsement<br />

deals… this is a good start but it shows that there are steps<br />

that need to be taken to bridge that gap.<br />

• Endorsements/Collaborations with popular brands are<br />

great for musicians, but it is important to recognize that<br />

those in the music industry can do more than endorse an<br />

alcoholic drink or a soft drink. <strong>The</strong> reach that the music<br />

industry has is limitless. For example, many in the music<br />

industry do not have health insurance, which is why we<br />

see a lot of artists on platforms like Go fund me, looking<br />

for funds for life-threatening illnesses. If health insurance<br />

companies did brand ambassadorships with musician and<br />

those in the music industry, can you imagine how many<br />

more youth would be encouraged to follow their music<br />

dreams? This would alleviate a lot of the uncertainty that<br />

those entering the music industry face. Furthermore…<br />

imagine if banks gave out loans to video producers, stylists<br />

etc to get started in their career. Those in the music industry<br />

create music that unites people, therefore they should be<br />

given varied opportunities.<br />

• Music conferences that bring together stakeholders in the<br />

music industry (artist, producers, DJ’s, video producers etc.)<br />

and relevant corporate and government entities to see how<br />

synergies can be created to work hand in hand to support<br />

those in the music industry. Vice President Osinbajo, just<br />

did a tech tour around Lagos visiting hubs that represent<br />

the future or tech in Nigeria. It would be encouraging to see<br />

a tour like that for Nigerian music.<br />

• African streaming mediums. Why is it that we have to go<br />

Apple music or Spotify to buy Nigerian music? With further<br />

100<br />

90<br />

80<br />

70<br />

60<br />

50<br />

40<br />

30<br />

20<br />

10<br />

0<br />

Music Industry<br />

<strong>The</strong> Nigerian music industry was worth<br />

$40 million in 2011 and $47 million in<br />

2015. By 2020 this figure is expected<br />

to double to $86 million which is<br />

approximately 30 Billion Naira.<br />

Report by Pricewater Cooper<br />

14 15<br />

@thesparkng<br />

@thesparkng


FUNBI, DJ SOSE. DEMILADE UTI NDU SCOTT, BIG TAK<br />

RIC HASSANI LIZ, SHAY, IDIA, MIMI FOLU, EHIS<br />

ESE<br />

DJ ANONYMOUS<br />

LYNXXX<br />

DJ SENSEI<br />

SOUND SULTAN<br />

SENSEI<br />

LANRE, AJEBUTTER<br />

BIZZLE & FRIENDS KORAL BD & WOFAI SEYITAN DJ OLUWABRUCE URANTA, BOLLY, WOFAI, & UTI SERIOUS BANTA CREW<br />

TOSIN & FRIENDS DJ NANA BIZZLE & OLAMIDE BOBBY URANTA & NIKKY KUNLE & NEDU BRAZIL SEYI SHAY<br />

DJ RUUD<br />

www.hotfm.ng<br />

KACH SOLIDSTAR PRAIZE TOYOSI & CHUICHU MARINE & SOUND SULTAN


<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spark</strong> | Ignite/Connect/Achieve www.thesparkng.com www.thesparkng.com <strong>The</strong> <strong>Spark</strong> | Ignite/Connect/Achieve<br />

Freestyle<br />

Art and Music<br />

Osa Seven is a Graffiti Artist, Graphics<br />

Designer and Brand Developer.<br />

<strong>The</strong> artist, whose full name is Osa<br />

Okunkpolor, was compared to Banksy –<br />

the renowned anonymous British graffiti<br />

artist regarded as one of the world’s<br />

greatest street artists – by CNN Africa. In<br />

this interview, he spoke about his art and<br />

it’s association to music.<br />

- By Osa Seven<br />

To me, art means freedom. It is an expression of my thoughts,<br />

desires, and emotions. I started Graffiti, despite its<br />

unpopularity, because I had an urge to be different, and also<br />

to impact and inspire people.<br />

<strong>The</strong> journey has not been without a few challenges. <strong>The</strong> acceptance<br />

of graffiti as a form of expression and art and also availability of<br />

art supplies have been the major challenges that I have been faced<br />

with.<br />

I’ve done more than street art, as I created the album art for<br />

WizKid’s award-winning Superstar album as well as the set design<br />

for the 2010 video by Sound Sultan ft. MI Abaga. This was possible<br />

because I believe art and music are both forms of self-expression,<br />

just in different mediums; Visuals and Sound. I think they’re both<br />

very similar, as they produce and promote messages that tell a<br />

story and resonate with people.<br />

In the music industry, there are actually a lot of opportunities for<br />

artists. An artist can serve in set design, merchandising, make up<br />

for videos, visual branding among many others. Being an artist is<br />

more than the technical hard skill, it is more in the mind before<br />

the skill. <strong>The</strong> creativity of an artist can be used to accomplish<br />

innovation in the music industry.<br />

To get started, know your strength in the area you want to go into.<br />

Learn and improve daily. Beyond the art, there is a place for<br />

understanding the brand and business side, or getting someone<br />

who can manage those aspects for you. It is not enough to<br />

just be interested in the industry. To succeed in any industry,<br />

including music, talent is not enough. You need focus, passion and<br />

persistence.<br />

<strong>The</strong> future is here already! I have had live performances with<br />

several artistes. While they were singing, rapping or playing an<br />

instrument, I was on stage creating live art. As the industry grows,<br />

the opportunity for merchandising and experiential engagements<br />

will be there to explore further.<br />

<strong>The</strong>re is so much more to look forward to.<br />

One of the first steps to take is getting a product. So, you<br />

need to find a way to make the music. You could either<br />

build a relationship with a studio/producer that believes<br />

in you and is ready to work with you or source for funding from<br />

family and friends to get the product out. Become adept at<br />

marketing your music on social media. <strong>The</strong> most important thing<br />

is to START. If you’re having a hard time getting a deal, your other<br />

option is to go on your own and build.<br />

Understand that growing a fan base is germane to your success.<br />

No fan base/following, no money. Period. While it is important to<br />

have mentors to guide and fast track your success, mentorship<br />

is still overrated. Always remember that the fan is king, so taking<br />

them for granted is not an option.<br />

Covers are a great way to start your music journey and build<br />

some following because you have to break through the melee<br />

and be heard, which is a massive challenge (unless you have a lot<br />

of money). <strong>The</strong>y also help you hone your music skills, so if you<br />

like a song, COVER IT! <strong>The</strong>n, get a manager who believes your<br />

music is the best thing since DMs.<br />

But if you’re more interested in starting up your own label,<br />

instead of creating music, it’s important you build a team of<br />

people which will include: A&R, Lawyer, Social Media Manager,<br />

Graphics Guy and Accountant. <strong>The</strong> good thing is these guys do<br />

not have to work for the company full time, because one of the<br />

challenges you can face when starting out is funding. You also<br />

need adequate knowledge of how labels work. While there are<br />

no certifications required in order to have a record label or be<br />

in the music business, you need to have a heart for the music<br />

and study about the business and industry extensively to have a<br />

successful label.<br />

However, being a music artiste is not the only way to earn in this<br />

industry. You could be a Songwriter, publisher, music pluggers<br />

for radio and TV, music journalist, professional studio manager,<br />

venue manager, business manager or accountant, booking agent,<br />

tour manager, vocal coach, publicist, social media manager, etc.<br />

Regardless of what line you choose, family is the first line of<br />

support, both financial and moral, for any budding entrepreneur<br />

and it’s no different for an artiste. However, you must resist the<br />

urge to bring in family members to play critical roles on your<br />

team. Your career will rise and fall on the calibre of talent on your<br />

team. You should only hire family or friends if they are the most<br />

qualified people that you know for the job. Nine times out of<br />

ten, they are not. <strong>The</strong>y may sometimes tell you what you want to<br />

hear, so flee from yes men and sycophants; make it easy for the<br />

people around you to be brutally honest with you. Be wise; don’t<br />

abort your career before it’s even birthed.<br />

START UP<br />

Music 101<br />

If you could receive a 5 minute quickie on how best to start in the music industry, what<br />

would it be? Well, here’s an example. Obinna Agwu shares some insight on how best new<br />

game players (artistes, producers, entrepreneurs, etc.) can get started in the industry.<br />

- By Obinna Agwu<br />

“<br />

Covers are a great way to start<br />

your music journey and build<br />

some following because you<br />

have to break through the<br />

melee and be heard.<br />

Music 101<br />

“<br />

18 19<br />

@thesparkng<br />

@thesparkng


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Chidi<br />

Okeke<br />

Into <strong>The</strong> Mind of<br />

A Music Maven<br />

By Lanre Solarin<br />

With several meetings back to back, after only returning from a business<br />

trip the day before, Chidi Okeke, a veteran entrepreneur in the music<br />

and entertainment industry, greeted me warmly as I was ushered<br />

into his stylish office. Chidi is the founder of Mcomm Solutions and Services, a<br />

technology driven company offering a wide range of content, mobile technology<br />

and music based solutions and services across the African continent.<br />

Chidi, a graduate of Electrical and Electronics Engineering from the Federal<br />

University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), specialized in Communications and<br />

thus setting the trajectory for who he has become today. Fresh out of school,<br />

he worked at MTech, a company owned by his childhood friend, Chika Nwobi.<br />

MTech provided services to GSM companies when mobile phones initially<br />

stormed the Nigerian market.<br />

20 21<br />

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Early Years<br />

“I started in the industry about 16 years ago. When MTech started, I was<br />

brought in to join the networking department, but I moved from that to<br />

business development unit and took an interest in music which became<br />

my focus”.<br />

Chidi’s career advanced within the company leading to high profile<br />

assignments such as the setup of the Abuja office to expand local<br />

operations. He then grew to assume international responsibilities in Cote<br />

d’Ivoire and Ghana. Within 8 months in Ghana, MTech became the number<br />

1 VAAS provider in Ghana. After his stint in Ghana, he came back to<br />

Nigeria to lead the MTech Group as Group CEO after Chika Nwobi stepped<br />

down. During his time as Group CEO, Chidi successfully implemented<br />

turnkey solutions that enabled MTech halt and reverse its negative growth<br />

by focusing on the music industry.<br />

“After a few years as Group CEO, I left Mtech to start Mcomm. I wanted to<br />

focus more on the music industry; specifically, how to successfully leverage<br />

mobile technologies to deliver value in the industry. Since 2011, when<br />

we commenced operations, we’ve masterminded several digital content<br />

releases, some of which were revolutionary at the time – such as use of<br />

MTN’s mobile radio platform to launch new and exclusive music content.”<br />

“We’ve built relationships with different artistes and have been behind<br />

endorsement deals of some of the biggest artistes in the country, including<br />

artistes like Davido, Wizkid, D’Banj, Mo’ Hits and so many more”. Mcomm,<br />

has successfully and notably carved a niche for itself at the intersection<br />

of music and technology and demonstrated, as evidenced by the various<br />

industry awards on display in Chidi’s office.<br />

“My background is in technology, and consequently, this plays a substantial<br />

role in the solutions and services that we develop. For instance, our current<br />

project, which is still in beta testing, leverages advancements in technology<br />

– IoT, data analytics – in music distribution. I may be in the entertainment<br />

business, but our work is facilitated by technology.”<br />

Setbacks In <strong>The</strong> Industry<br />

Chidi is an entrepreneur with significant experience across multiple<br />

regions, this enables him to give insights into the challenges in the<br />

industry. One of which, is poor access to talent development opportunities<br />

in the industry. “In South Africa for example, if you’re talented, you have<br />

access to the infrastructure you need to develop and harness your talent.<br />

Young, school age children who realize they can sing, can access classes<br />

designed and available to help children develop their talent. This is not an<br />

opportunity readily available in Nigerian schools.”<br />

in Nigeria to invest in the industry. “This is a long-term investment with<br />

long term pay-offs,” he stated. “Building a state-of-the-art recording /<br />

mixing and mastering studio will cost nothing less than 1.5m dollars for<br />

equipment alone. It’s an expensive, but worthwhile venture. We need more<br />

studios, purposely built concert venues and music streaming platforms<br />

tailored for the local market.”<br />

One of the reasons why some of our accomplished artistes travel to create<br />

music is due to the availability of infrastructure abroad. He further stated<br />

that international artistes are interested in creating music with us. “<strong>The</strong>y<br />

have said to us several times that if we had proper studios here, they’ll fly<br />

to Nigeria to record with our artistes.”<br />

Unfortunately, the music industry has not acquired the level credibility in<br />

the eyes of investors as for instance, the oil and gas sector or agriculture.<br />

It is still perceived by most as an industry of misfits. This is debatable,<br />

however, misfits or not, the music industry has substantial influence with<br />

commercial value domestically and internationally.<br />

Leveraging Positivity In <strong>The</strong> Industry<br />

“Our Nigerian artistes are doing well. In Africa, Nigeria arguably produces<br />

the best music content. Our artistes are popular across the continent,”<br />

Chidi stated. “We’re getting the attention required. <strong>The</strong> next frontier<br />

necessitates that we develop capabilities to improve the quality of the<br />

music (sound) to meet international standards. Our music has good<br />

melody, but for some of our songs, foreign engineers usually have to<br />

re-mix because they’re not mixed and mastered properly, so they don’t<br />

sound right there. This also limits the growth of the industry. However,<br />

access to the right infrastructure is not the only challenge. <strong>The</strong>re is also<br />

a paucity of the skill and “know-how” required to operate the types of<br />

equipment I have been describing.”<br />

Having said this, despite the challenges, African music still has something<br />

unique to offer the world. “You may recall that D’Banj at a point was<br />

signed to Kanye West’s label. What you may not know is how that came<br />

about. D’banj and I met Kanye at the Dubai International airport and<br />

D’Banj gave him tracks to listen to. He listened to five different tracks<br />

and was immediately impressed with what he heard,” Chidi stated. To<br />

him, international artistes have covered a lot of ground and are looking<br />

for something new. We have Afrobeat, which is what they’re looking for.<br />

Artistes need to stay true to their local sound.<br />

In summary I see three key things that need to be addressed; access to<br />

state-of-the art recording and sound equipment, purpose-built venues for<br />

shows/concerts, etc. and digital music streaming platforms.<br />

Every big player in the industry needs to be structured well enough so that<br />

artistes can focus on their talent and how to make their music better. A<br />

professional who is trustworthy can handle the business side and other<br />

parts. It’s never possible to effectively do all because eventually, one part<br />

will suffer.<br />

<strong>The</strong> Role of Passion When Challenges Hit<br />

I firmly believe that passion should be at the fore of whatever you do in<br />

life. Not every venture will be profitable, with some projects, you’ll only<br />

manage to recover your cost and some projects will just consume all of<br />

your investment. However, if you are driven by passion, the experience will<br />

be worthwhile and if you’re fortunate, prove a useful learning experience.<br />

“Mcomm has executed projects that did not generate as much profitability<br />

as we had planned at the onset, however, I believe that we have grown and<br />

improved as an organisation through those experiences.”<br />

In our environment, it is possible to be swayed by necessities rather than<br />

passion. That’s why you hear statements like, “I just want to make money<br />

so I can eat”. This kind of thinking does not engender the staying power<br />

required to be successful in the long-term. New artistes may succeed in<br />

creating one good hit, but if the passion for music isn’t present, sustaining<br />

the career will be impossible because of the challenges that’ll come.<br />

According to Chidi, when he talks to new Artistes who want to be bigger<br />

than our established artistes, he looks out for the story behind what they<br />

want to do. That’s how he judges their motives. “You can be 17 years of<br />

age, but have a story that spans 7 years in music.”<br />

A Future For New Artistes<br />

Streaming would power the music industry’s growth in Africa. As smart<br />

phone penetrations continue to rise and cost of data continues to dip,<br />

an artiste can create music content, upload on the available streaming<br />

platforms in the territory and if the audience likes it, he or she can<br />

generate significant revenues. So now the onus lies on the said artiste to<br />

create good content.<br />

“<strong>The</strong>re are numerous streaming platforms available in this territory,<br />

Boomplay, Music plus, Cloud9, iTunes, Spotify and even YouTube. I would<br />

always advise an upcoming artiste to endeavour to get their music<br />

uploaded on all unless they are getting a special deal from one.”<br />

“In other developed countries, artistes generate revenues when their<br />

songs are played on the radios, shopping Malls, clubs, etc. Anytime a<br />

song is played someone is making money. But in this part of the world we<br />

are still catching up but clearly there are changes in the right direction.”<br />

According to Chidi, the first thing is to discover yourself and package that<br />

talent in a way you can show someone ready to help. Spend your time<br />

developing your talent and always show that through the content you<br />

create. You need to have a story because there are no overnight successes.<br />

As the revenues generated in the Music Industry continues to rise, more<br />

investors would be attracted to the sector. <strong>The</strong> industry would only get<br />

bigger.<br />

Free Recording Deal for One Talent<br />

“To me, youth empowerment is basically the process of providing an<br />

enabling environment or providing ways the youth can be encouraged to<br />

take a hold on their lives better by using either their talents or resources.<br />

But to make this easy, the infrastructure has to be in place and the<br />

talented person has to be educated enough about what he or she wants<br />

to do,” Chidi advised. At this point, he requested for one of his books to<br />

be brought to his office.<br />

“I’m looking out for raw talent,” Chidi stated. He is looking to help one<br />

young music artiste reach greatness.<br />

In the industry, you have to do the work. People will only support you as<br />

an artiste when they see what you have created. “If you come to me as<br />

an artiste and say you have talent, I’ll ask you to play me what you have.<br />

This could be your unreleased tracks,” Chidi stated. “If I’m able to see that<br />

there’s talent, then I can support.”<br />

Unfortunately, to get to that point where the artiste has material, he must<br />

have had some money to go to a recording studio, sit down, and pay for<br />

studio time. “In Nigeria, it’s hard to get anyone to support you without<br />

hearing anything. You need to put one leg forward first. And I know<br />

getting this money can be difficult for many.”<br />

<strong>The</strong> Importance of Structure<br />

<strong>The</strong> reason why artistes love working with Mcomm is because of the<br />

structure provided. A lot of artistes want to simultaneously be the<br />

performing musician and manage their careers single-handedly, but it is<br />

impossible to execute both roles simultaneously.<br />

“One of the reasons why D’banj flourished and was so successful is because<br />

he always had a solid team of professionals supporting him and whom he<br />

allowed to manage the ‘business’.” Mcomm was part of this team and was<br />

responsible for delivering business development objectives.<br />

Again, because we have a limited number of studios here in Nigeria, a new<br />

artiste can decide to record with his devices in his room, which only leads<br />

to poor quality of work. “When such aspirants make such presentations, it<br />

takes a real expert to spot the talent hidden behind poor quality technical<br />

sound. We don’t have the tools, software and infrastructure. But despite<br />

this, this industry has still flourished and produced great artists. Now<br />

imagine what would be if the infrastructure were in place. <strong>The</strong> lack of<br />

infrastructure also has an impact on established artists, specifically quality<br />

of the sound reproduced on stage also affects the audience’s experience.<br />

Chidi believes that this is an opportunity for foreign production companies<br />

Similar to any successful business, music is no exception, a multi-functional<br />

team is a prerequisite for success. Finance, legal, management are<br />

essential to ensuring that there are enough unencumbered resources to<br />

operate – in this case make music. “A friend of mine used to say, ‘ensure<br />

you surround yourself with people smarter than you’. It’s wrong for me to<br />

be the smartest guy in my company. If I am, then I’ll be in trouble. I may<br />

be good at some things like sales, but I need someone who is the best<br />

in technology, Finance etc. I cannot know everything, and this goes for<br />

everyone else.”<br />

Would you be the one? See page 33 for how to apply now.<br />

22 23<br />

@thesparkng<br />

@thesparkng


<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spark</strong> | Ignite/Connect/Achieve www.thesparkng.com www.thesparkng.com <strong>The</strong> <strong>Spark</strong> | Ignite/Connect/Achieve<br />

6. Who/What/Where do you guys draw your inspiration from?<br />

We draw a lot of inspiration, first from ourselves because we have a lot of<br />

drive. However sometimes when one of us is slacking behind, the other<br />

tries to lift the spirit and ensure that the drive is there.<br />

Musically, we have lots of artists that we listen to and a lot of people that<br />

we study. In Nigeria we draw inspiration from our boss “Don Jazzy”,<br />

because he is a very intelligent, spiritual and calculated person and he<br />

has taught us a lot during our journey so far. We also learn a lot from<br />

production and making music.<br />

<strong>The</strong>n mostly we draw inspiration from God, the vibes around us and the<br />

people around us as well in a positive way because we are very allergic<br />

to negative vibes and negative people. At the end of the day positivity<br />

drives us.<br />

the Government might start taking it seriously but we think they should<br />

start from now because at the end of the day when they start taking it<br />

seriously, every youth is going to benefit from it.<br />

10. How can readers connect with you guys online and/or offline?<br />

You can hit us up on our social media platforms:<br />

Instagram/Twitter: itz_dna<br />

Facebook: DNA Twins @DNAOFFICIAL<br />

You can reach us personally through our management contact on our<br />

social media pages.<br />

7. Tell us about one of the projects you guys worked on or activities you<br />

engaged in that really made you guys believe in yourselves...no matter<br />

how small.<br />

Features<br />

Artiste Spotlight: DNA<br />

<strong>The</strong> music industry is arguably the largest on the continent with most<br />

of the best musical talents across the continent coming out from<br />

the country, talking about the likes of Tiwa Savage, Wizkid, Davido,<br />

D’banj, Don Jazzy, Olamide and so much more. However whilst we<br />

celebrate the already established musicians, we also would like to<br />

shine the light on the talented and hardworking upcoming musicians<br />

who are fast growing to become the next musical Gold in the<br />

continent. It is in this light that we met up with the DNA Twins whom<br />

we highly consider to be arguably the best young musical sensations<br />

in the country. <strong>The</strong>y sing, they dance, they act, and we believe this<br />

exclusive interview will help you understand the intricacies of being a<br />

young, upcoming talent in the entertainment industry.<br />

- By Akpobome Otobrise<br />

We would say the GLO X-Factor back in 2013. <strong>The</strong> plan wasn’t actually to<br />

go for it but we just decided to take the risk and when we did, we saw the<br />

love and support we got from it. We actually knew before then that we<br />

wanted to do music but that just stamped it for us. Another one would<br />

be way back in high school when we represented our school in music<br />

amongst numerous schools from around the country and then we went<br />

on to win the competition even though students from other schools were<br />

pretty good. <strong>The</strong>se two incidents were key moments for us that made us<br />

confirm that we actually needed to do music full time.<br />

8. What opportunities are you guys looking for or open to taking<br />

advantage of?<br />

Business opportunities, music business opportunities like huge<br />

endorsement deals, good musical collaborations, massive shows. Talking<br />

about collaborations, we just dropped a song with Mayorkun. <strong>The</strong> visual<br />

for the song is out and we think you would love it if you already haven’t<br />

seen or listened to it yet. So go check it out.<br />

9. What do you guys think about youth empowerment? How can the<br />

Nigerian youth be empowered?<br />

This is a wide topic though but empowerment is basically from the mind,<br />

so the youth need to be empowered to have a very positive mind-set<br />

towards working hard and to go for whatever they want, because in the<br />

end you can have great thoughts but if you don’t make a move towards<br />

them, then they just remain thoughts.<br />

Some Nigerian youths just always want to blame the government for “this<br />

and that” but truth is, it all starts with us. What change do you want to<br />

see in your life? What move do you feel you can make to change your<br />

situation? Instead of just sitting down waiting for the government to do<br />

what you’re supposed to do for yourself, why not try to help yourself first<br />

because opportunities mostly come to those that are prepared for it.<br />

1. What are your full names?<br />

Blair Roberts and Clinton Roberts<br />

2. Do you have an alias (that is, an a.k.a.)? If yes what is it?<br />

DNA<br />

3. In one sentence, tell us about your music.<br />

DNA signifies the musical connection between us. Our music is basically<br />

happy music, chilled music and sometimes conscious music.<br />

4. How did you guys get started in music?<br />

We have been singing for a long time now. We started out in high school<br />

singing in the church choir and then we went for the GLO X-Factor reality<br />

TV show which brought us to the limelight and praise be to God, now<br />

we’re here.<br />

5. We all face challenges. What challenges have you guys faced so far as<br />

music artists?<br />

One of the challenges we have experienced so far is the fact that there are<br />

a lot of artists in the world and in the country, so trying to make sure<br />

that we differentiate our sound and music from every other artiste is a<br />

challenge. However it’s a good challenge because it makes us want to<br />

work harder to understand our craft better.<br />

<strong>The</strong>n another challenge is the fact that people have a whole lot of<br />

expectations from us and sometimes even ten times more than what<br />

we have within ourselves but in the end it helps make us work harder<br />

to want to meet up to these expectations. We can’t always meet those<br />

expectations, so in the end we just go at the pace we know best and just<br />

leave the rest to God.<br />

However, there are a whole lot that the government can do to empower<br />

youths, like in music, lots of money is being made and lots of youths can be<br />

empowered through entertainment. For example, when producing a song,<br />

the producer is most likely going to be a youth, when shooting the video,<br />

almost everyone on set are young people that are hungry for success as<br />

there are young people in every sector of music from set designers to the<br />

make-up artists and more. So the government can actually invest into<br />

entertainment and take it a little bit more serious than they currently are<br />

because it is actually one of Nigeria’s goldmines. We don’t know if they<br />

have noticed it yet but the entertainment industry is actually very big and<br />

few years from now, people are going to see how massive the Nigerian<br />

music and entertainment industry is going to become. Maybe at that time<br />

24 25<br />

@thesparkng<br />

@thesparkng


<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spark</strong> | Ignite/Connect/Achieve www.thesparkng.com www.thesparkng.com <strong>The</strong> <strong>Spark</strong> | Ignite/Connect/Achieve<br />

Building A Solid<br />

Music Career<br />

Godwin Tom is the founder of Godwin Tom Company and iManage Africa,<br />

a talent management and events company. In this interview, Godwin<br />

shares a career roadmap every game player in the industry can follow.<br />

- By Godwin Tom<br />

“<br />

When I started in the industry as a<br />

manager in 2008, I would have<br />

achieved more in less time if I<br />

had people telling me about their<br />

challenges and mistakes.<br />

“<br />

1. Prepare For the Industry Through Learning<br />

<strong>The</strong> first thing to do is learn. Learn about the business and the<br />

industry. Understand the peculiarity of the Nigerian and African<br />

market and then the global market. <strong>The</strong>n practice. You will make<br />

mistakes. That is inevitable but make sure you are taking notes and<br />

learning from them. For a newbie, this should be the focus. By doing<br />

these things well, networking will happen and people will notice you<br />

for the work you do not just for randomly being at every event.<br />

2. Tap Into Overlooked Jobs/Opportunities<br />

I cannot mention everything here; there are a lot of overlooked jobs.<br />

Apart from being the artist, there is the A&R, the manager, the label<br />

executive, the promoter, the PR person or publicist, the music plugger,<br />

the content aggregator and distributor and many others. <strong>The</strong>n there<br />

is the opportunity for entertainment lawyers, accountants, auditors,<br />

event organisers among others. <strong>The</strong> music industry can be one of the<br />

biggest employers of labour if or when run properly.<br />

3. Build <strong>The</strong> Right Structure<br />

It really depends on the direction and start up budget of the label. An<br />

ideal situation is to get lawyers, accountants, PR, A&R and Artist<br />

development, marketing and brand management team. If you do not<br />

have distribution solution, a label will struggle as the entire purpose<br />

of setting up a label and signing artist is to distribute and sell.<br />

4. Acquire Needed Professional Knowledge<br />

You don’t necessarily need a professional certification to run a music<br />

label. However, an understanding of Business Management would<br />

help. Business is Business. Application may vary but the principles<br />

apply across industries. Running a label is like running any business.<br />

<strong>The</strong>re are several moving parts and it is important that the people<br />

running the business are prepared mentally to the task. An education<br />

will help but most people end up learning on the job, especially in a<br />

peculiar market like Nigeria’s. However, no matter how unstructured<br />

the industry is, one must know how business works as the goal is to<br />

be global and it would be a shame if you get to the point where your<br />

growth is dependent on an understanding of business management<br />

principles and leadership has no clue what to do.<br />

5. Get A Mentor<br />

Having a mentor is imperative. It would help you make fewer mistakes.<br />

When I started in the industry as a manager in 2008, I would have<br />

achieved more in less time if I had people telling me about their<br />

challenges and mistakes. That is why I do workshops, training<br />

programs and internships. Intern with such a mentor or work with<br />

a company you see doing what you are trying to do. I am currently<br />

writing a book called “10 Years a Learner” and producing a podcast<br />

series. <strong>The</strong> industry will grow faster when we empower the people<br />

coming after us. <strong>The</strong> true test of power is in its distribution.<br />

6. Stay Grounded<br />

Improve yourself and stay consistent. Travel and learn cultures and<br />

other ways of life; it expands your view of life and humbles you. Take<br />

artist development seriously and understand that you are a business<br />

and most importantly, if you do not take yourself seriously, no one<br />

will.<br />

7. Let Your Audience Validate You<br />

<strong>The</strong>re is no one way to do it. What is important is to understand<br />

where you are in the artiste life cycle. Validation is important. Just<br />

because you get feedback from family members and friends does<br />

not make you “a star with the next big hit”. Validation is when people<br />

you do not know confirm that you can sing. This happens when the<br />

artist takes time to perform at locations to develop him/her self.<br />

While labels can provide funding, most artistes forget it is a loan. <strong>The</strong><br />

internet has provided all the tools to create and distribute content.<br />

So, if you do not find a label willing to take a gamble on you, take<br />

that gamble on yourself. Either way, it is in the artiste’s hands really.<br />

A fan base will help you make money. Do not put the cart in front of<br />

the horse. Build an audience and a following and you will have an<br />

audience to sell music to.<br />

8. Prepare For Challenges Ahead<br />

Like every start up business, there are the following stages; Start up,<br />

Struggle, Success and Growth. <strong>The</strong> excitement of starting something<br />

new is usually quickly destroyed by the reality of the cost of running<br />

a business with the bills, competition and change in policies that<br />

were not considered during the set up stage. You quickly learn that<br />

the audience is not as predictable and people do not really have a<br />

buying culture. <strong>The</strong> industry and lifestyle is expensive and because<br />

the market is very visual and bases most of its assumptions on<br />

perception, the artiste who does not show the lifestyle are seen as<br />

broke or lacking money.<br />

You will also learn that success can also drown you. <strong>The</strong> more<br />

successful you get, the harder it is to do things you sometimes enjoy<br />

doing like going to the movies, etc. While you can do it once in a<br />

while, it would have to be properly planned.<br />

Another issue is that there is too much dependence on show money<br />

because people are yet to understand the importance of publishing<br />

revenue among other things. <strong>The</strong>re are broke producers in the<br />

country that do not realise that they have a lot of money scattered<br />

across the globe.<br />

You would also have to prove yourself so it is okay if people do not<br />

respond to you when you start. People only want to associate with<br />

success. Stay consistent and create good quality content.<br />

9. Tread Carefully with Family and Friends<br />

Family should support. However, unless a family member has the<br />

needed skills for the role the artiste wants them to do; it is advisable<br />

not to involve family in the business. While it is understandable that<br />

some artistes may not have help when they start, so a family member<br />

fills the void of a manager or PR consultant, it is important for the<br />

artist to be honest with self and identify when growth has occurred<br />

and when the family may not be able to operate in the scale that is<br />

now required. <strong>The</strong>re are a few instances where family members have<br />

done great work, but I would advise that if family members working<br />

with the artistes do not deliver on KPIs, the talent or artiste should<br />

let them go and get professionals.<br />

26 27<br />

@thesparkng<br />

@thesparkng


<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spark</strong> | Ignite/Connect/Achieve www.thesparkng.com www.thesparkng.com <strong>The</strong> <strong>Spark</strong> | Ignite/Connect/Achieve<br />

Intune With...<br />

Ronke Bamisedun<br />

on Music and<br />

Tourism<br />

As founder of a boutique PR agency in Lagos – BWL<br />

Agency – Ronke Bamisedun takes the stage here and<br />

reveals the intersection between music and tourism and<br />

how best artistes and other game players in the industry<br />

can leverage tourism for massive promotion.<br />

- By Ronke Bamisedun<br />

the sponsor pays for will determine the venue. It doesn’t mean the artiste<br />

can fill up the venue but for the sponsors, they just put down the money, it<br />

doesn’t matter. <strong>The</strong>re is really not much technique to it though, it is simply<br />

business sense. An up and coming artiste would, for instance, not be put<br />

on a large stage. And many of the current successful artistes have gone<br />

through that phase of performing on smaller stages when they were just<br />

starting out. Picking locations is simply based on numbers.<br />

“<br />

What you need to ask yourself as an<br />

artiste in Nigeria is how you can<br />

promote Nigeria internationally.<br />

Earning Big with Tourism<br />

“<br />

Tourism is not all about getting endorsements and brand sponsorships.<br />

What Nigerian artistes need to ask themselves is how they can promote<br />

Nigeria out there. For instance, they can leverage the culture and tourism<br />

industry to support their travels outside the shores, if they can drive their<br />

case on how their music or performance will promote Nigeria and its<br />

culture. <strong>The</strong> point is for them to show value.<br />

Getting Started with Tours<br />

It is impossible to effectively organise tours if management is poor. We<br />

come from a culture where many musicians have family or friends as<br />

members of their team; maybe people that supported them when they<br />

started. And these people often times are neither experienced nor do they<br />

have the qualifications to be managers. Looking at the music industry, you<br />

see that it is hardly structured as a business.<br />

In the West, there are organisations and other professionals in charge of<br />

putting together tours on behalf of the artistes or the record labels. It is<br />

not a one-man manager or record label show. <strong>The</strong>re is a lot of work that<br />

goes into it and a team of one and even five cannot put it together. But we<br />

don’t have that here in Nigeria.<br />

Before I can give advice to an artiste who seeks for affordable ways to go<br />

on tour, I will ask certain questions like; what kind of artiste are you and<br />

why are you going on tour? Who is going to come to it? Is it going to be<br />

a free gig? <strong>The</strong>re has to be an amount of revenue brought in before you<br />

think of music tours. Exceptions could be University tours or open mic<br />

sessions to promote and build your fan base.<br />

<strong>The</strong> most affordable way is to look for opportunities where you don’t have<br />

to pay for your cost; transport, logistics, a location you can get to without<br />

having to spend the night, friends you can spend the night with, etc.<br />

Secondly, find out the existing platforms that you can key into. You can<br />

also be an opening act for another more successful artiste. That way, you<br />

can tap into their fan base and use their instruments. But, they might not<br />

pay you except you are lucky enough to find one who does.<br />

Thirdly, be conscious of the nuances of that environment. Nigeria is very<br />

different; different cultures abound. For instance, if you are going to a<br />

dominantly Muslim environment, will you drink freely or stay modest?<br />

Stay away from anything that can tarnish your brand. Artistes should have<br />

people who give them media training and show them how to behave in<br />

specific environments. Maintaining a professional front with fans is also<br />

important. You have no business giving a fan a lift or taking him or her<br />

to your room.<br />

If you’re travelling with a band, it’s also not difficult. It all depends on inhouse<br />

structure. You have to make clear arrangements before accepting<br />

to perform. State what you require; the number of people in your<br />

band, the instruments they are using, the type of transportation and<br />

accommodation and talk it through. Difficulties only occur when people<br />

are not prepared. Everything should be settled way ahead.<br />

Go Global<br />

<strong>The</strong> simplest and most effective way to be heard internationally is via<br />

social media. Social media is very powerful right now. Be very active on<br />

social media, upload your work and get your friends to share it. You never<br />

know who might hear it. Connect with DJ’s and give them your music. <strong>The</strong><br />

more locations your music is played at, the more recognition you receive.<br />

Music and football, I believe, are massive deals for Nigerian tourism. <strong>The</strong> sound on the street<br />

globally right now is African and Nigeria is leading. We are music people; music is very<br />

important to us culturally, that is why many companies use people from the music industry<br />

as their brand ambassadors. Due to this, there is no better time to tap into the tourism industry.<br />

<strong>The</strong> African sound of the street can draw people into Nigeria. For instance, people should come<br />

to Nigeria because they want to see Fela’s shrine. We can also have a big music festival like the<br />

Coachella festival in California that will attract people from all over the world who are fans of<br />

Nigerian musicians.<br />

<strong>The</strong> Role of Tourism in Promoting Artistes<br />

Tourism helps in promoting the artistes and the artistes as well help in promoting tourism, whether<br />

we are importing or exporting culture. For example, when international artistes come to Nigeria,<br />

they get to interact with their fan base in Nigeria and promote their art. In the same vein, all of these<br />

artistes have a fan base and following in their home country. When they come, their experiences in<br />

Nigeria are amplified on social media and it looks like they are having fun. It gives someone who has<br />

never been to Nigeria another perception of the country, thereby promoting our culture. And that<br />

changes the narrative that they were used to.<br />

Choosing Locations<br />

In the UK, for example, choosing a venue is based on capacity and how much the label thinks the<br />

artiste can generate. <strong>The</strong>re are certain venues that would work for certain types of artistes and<br />

locations can also be chosen based on fan base. <strong>The</strong> goal is to fill up the venue. It also works that<br />

way in Nigeria but it is slightly different because the artistes work with sponsorship. <strong>The</strong> location that<br />

28 29<br />

@thesparkng<br />

@thesparkng


<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spark</strong> | Ignite/Connect/Achieve www.thesparkng.com www.thesparkng.com <strong>The</strong> <strong>Spark</strong> | Ignite/Connect/Achieve<br />

Brand<strong>Spark</strong><br />

NativeMag vs<br />

Culture Custodian<br />

<strong>The</strong> music industry is becoming more structured in Nigeria and one of the pillars that will ensure it<br />

stands over time is how well the stories, lessons and inspiration behind the musicians and their music are<br />

recorded. In this edition of Brand<strong>Spark</strong>, we beam the light on two curators of music news in Nigeria.<br />

By Damilola Oyewusi<br />

<strong>The</strong> Nigerian music industry, like most other industries in the<br />

country suffers from a documentation deficit. <strong>The</strong> average<br />

individual and business is eager to get things done and hit<br />

milestones. But only a few people take notes and record the<br />

journey to the victories or failures. Most of what each generation<br />

learns about the past are snippets compared to the robust<br />

stories that make up the lives of our music heroes.<br />

<strong>The</strong> rise of digital media and the increased appetite for<br />

information has definitely changed the narrative in many ways.<br />

However, it is also important that the focus is not only the gossip<br />

and soft sells from blogs and social media influencers.<br />

This is what makes both of these brands impressive as they<br />

intentionally celebrate the best of and curate information<br />

about the Nigerian music industry; telling stories to influence<br />

the trajectory of the business, inspire a generation and give a<br />

blueprint as new dreamers begin their journey in the industry.<br />

NativeMag<br />

<strong>The</strong> NativeMag is your quintessential platform for music and<br />

entertainment news. <strong>The</strong> online magazine has its special focus<br />

on the music industry, offering their audience information on<br />

the latest music releases, trends and happenings around the<br />

industry. One of the key features of the Native is influencing<br />

the popular music culture by bridging the gap between the<br />

niche genres of underground music and the widely accepted<br />

mainstream sound. <strong>The</strong>ir interesting angles to stories, interviews<br />

and opinions cut across different styles of music and art, giving a<br />

new flavour to the culture of entertainment. Content is delivered<br />

in a mix of videos, easy-to-read text, audio and inviting imagery.<br />

While they are largely focused on the Nigerian music industry<br />

and her musicians, the publication also travels across Africa and<br />

the diaspora, soaking in the African culture across the continent.<br />

In addition to music, NativeMag also curates neo-African fashion,<br />

art and style, topping it all up with social awareness and staying<br />

in touch with salient issues that affect the Nigerian youths.<br />

Outside of the platform, Native has hosted two editions of its<br />

flagship NativeLand, an event that brings musicians, curators,<br />

cloth brands and food vendors together for an entertaining<br />

evening.<br />

“With more projects like<br />

these, aspiring<br />

musicians and talents<br />

across the value chain<br />

have an index point<br />

on the map to music<br />

business success.<br />

“<br />

Culture Custodian<br />

Culture Custodian is not exclusively centred on music. <strong>The</strong><br />

platform is a potpourri of everything that concerns the youth,<br />

from politics, to sports, fashion, music and more. However,<br />

content about the music industry on the site takes a different<br />

route from the pop rhetoric of trends and gossip. <strong>The</strong> interviews<br />

seem mostly drawn from foreign websites but the articles are<br />

original and insightful, with the right dose of sharp opinions.<br />

With a piece like ‘<strong>The</strong> absence of protests in Nigerian pop<br />

culture’, the team is not only highlighting the culture of social<br />

consciousness in the country’s musical history. <strong>The</strong>y are also<br />

raising a necessary question about the value system of the<br />

industry.<br />

A key part of their strategy is giving little known brilliant<br />

underground acts the same attention to detail as established<br />

artistes. Bridging this gap is essential for the overall growth of<br />

the industry.<br />

<strong>The</strong>ir podcasts are largely pop culture talk shows while the<br />

Culture Custodian TV hosted on YouTube covers various angles<br />

of the music business using interviews, event coverage and<br />

showcasing numerous artistes.<br />

Beyond the original and engaging content on both platforms, we<br />

have to commend the sites for their simplicity and use of white<br />

space.<br />

In conclusion, both platforms hold great value for the everyday<br />

youth with interest in the music industry. It would be great to<br />

see them include in-depth analysis of different aspects of the<br />

business and branch out into interviews and stories on the talent<br />

managers, publishers, distributors, lyricists and more. With more<br />

projects like these, aspiring musicians and talents across the<br />

value chain have an index point on the map to music business<br />

success.<br />

What do you think? Which brand captures the heart of the<br />

youth more?<br />

30 31<br />

@thesparkng<br />

@thesparkng


<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spark</strong> | Ignite/Connect/Achieve<br />

www.thesparkng.com<br />

Engage<br />

Show us what you’ve got by playing these<br />

games…and winning...#winks<br />

What Next?<br />

- By Zebra Villa Works<br />

#1: <strong>The</strong> Chef #2: Alpha-Beta<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spark</strong> Connect<br />

WIN a free Goody bag<br />

<strong>The</strong> objective of this game is for players to prepare or make a<br />

specific recipe for a certain number of people at a given time<br />

using the provided ingredients in the best, easy, healthy and<br />

economical way possible.<br />

Do you know you can make Pizza with ripe Plantain? Oh…<br />

now you know<br />

WIN a free Goody bag<br />

<strong>The</strong> objective is for players to build a specific number of<br />

words concerning a significant part in English, from the given<br />

letters, following the rules.<br />

Palindrome<br />

Get Empowered<br />

Apply now and stand a chance to be empowered<br />

with cash grants, Mentorship and more. Visit<br />

thesparkng.com/connect to get started.<br />

><br />

Pro Bono<br />

Have legal questions concerning your business?<br />

Visit thesparkng.com/probono to ask now.<br />

<strong>The</strong>se are the ingredients<br />

• large ripe Plantains<br />

• cups of flour<br />

• cups of butter<br />

• cups baking powder<br />

• cups of milk<br />

• Eggs<br />

• cups of sugar<br />

• Salts<br />

• vegetable oil<br />

• Blended pepper, tomato<br />

(mixed)<br />

• chicken breasts(sliced thinly)<br />

• cups of chopped garbage<br />

and carrots<br />

• scotchs bonnet peppers<br />

• bulbs of red onion(sliced)<br />

• cloves of garlic<br />

• seasoning cubes<br />

• chopped parsley<br />

Make a healthy, quick and tasty plantain pizza of any type from<br />

these ingredients. <strong>The</strong>re are more than enough ingredients,<br />

you’re free to use some or all of it.<br />

Build 30 English Palindrome words.<br />

Each word must be between<br />

6 to 10 letters.<br />

Palindrome is a word, phrase, number or any other sequence<br />

of units which has the property of reading the same forwards,<br />

as it does backwards, character for character.<br />

How to win<br />

<strong>The</strong> person with the highest number of correct and<br />

unrepetitive words according to the rules wins. Send us<br />

your “words” with your Full name and Location to any of our<br />

social media pages - @thesparkng and our email - info@<br />

thesparkng.com.<br />

Engaged By<br />

Vital Signs<br />

Have questions related to mental health? Visit<br />

thesparkng.com/vital-signs to ask now.<br />

><br />

FreestyleX<br />

FreestyleX gives you an opportunity to showcase your heart and<br />

art in our monthly exhibition. Send in your art works (videos,<br />

audios, poems, paintings, etc) and get published on our website.<br />

Visit thesparkng.com/freestyle to submit your work of art.<br />

Submissions are then screened and the artists invited for the<br />

event.<br />

Terms & conditions apply...<br />

Brand<strong>Spark</strong><br />

Participate in our monthly Brand<strong>Spark</strong> poll and tell<br />

us what you think about brands. Follow us on social<br />

media - @thesparkng - to participate.<br />

<strong>The</strong> best recipe wins.<br />

If you don’t know how to prepare plantain pizza, this is an<br />

opportunity for you. Research or follow-up.<br />

How to win<br />

Profiles<br />

Send us your Recipe with your Full name and Location to any of<br />

our social media pages, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram - @<br />

thesparkng and our email - info@thesparkng.com.<br />

Are you an entrepreneur doing something positive? Let<br />

us profile you. Send an email to info@thesparkng.com<br />

signifying your interest.<br />

Engaged By<br />

32<br />

Terms & conditions apply...<br />

Winners will be published on social media<br />

@thesparkng

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