In this interview with journalists, Ajibola Johnson Adeleye, the Chief Executive Director of 0Blvck Entertainment speaks on his plan for the entertainment industry in Nigeria.
A brief introduction to yourself and your company
My name is Ajibola Johnson Adeleye, born in Lagos. I am the Chief Executive Director 0Blvck Entertainment, a Record Label – a label dedicated to grooming artistes and showcasing them to the world.
Why are you investing in the Entertainment industry?
Well because music is a powerful means of connecting people. It bridges linguistic and cultural divides, and is a vehicle for identity and expression like no other. Music is a good tool to foster unity and promote oneness.
Although, the entertainment industry in Nigeria is big but there are still many opportunities available. So, I am here to help with my expertise and resources to identify hidden talents, nurture them and unleash them to the world. We want to raise the bars in the industry and create opportunities for artistes and jobs for others.
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What are the prospects in the industry?
The music industry is one of the most profitable industries in the world right now. It fuels job creation, economic growth, tourism development and artistic growth, and strengthens a city’s brand.
The industry is contributing a lot to the growth of Nigeria’s economy. Many young people have been taken off the streets through the opportunities provided by the industry. We have many families taken out of poverty because of music.
How can the industry become better?
The industry can become better by giving artistes more autonomy to be able to create their own career path, especially where managers and record labels control every aspect of your appearance, work, projects and more.
There is also the need to address the issue of piracy and other unwholesome acts in the industry.
The industry is self-made, with little or no support from the government. However, I think this is the time for government to create an enabling environment for the industry to thrives by providing basic infrastructures, security among others.
What are the challenges you have identified in the industry?
The industry is very competitive, and although there is a lot of talent out there, most talent doesn’t get signed or have access to opportunities to promote their artistry. Some musicians do reach a high level of success and enjoy the financial rewards, but that’s a small percentage of the total. It takes more than skill and passion to get there too, since luck still plays a big part in the path to the top of the charts.
How do you intend to handle record label/Artist relationships, as we have had a lot of disagreements or breach of contracts in the past?
Building good relationships is key. Ensuring that the artists understand the terms of the contract, and perhaps build in some flexibility too. At our label, we ensure that new artists get some advice from our legal team, so they also have a say in the terms of the contract. Both parties are then clear about what is expected and what will happen, so there are no surprises along the way. Communication and building good relationships from the start is paramount.
