Entertainment
Ateke Amongst Seven Biggest Music Sponsors In Nigeria
Ateke Tom
The music business is a
money-gulping endeavour and as such, admits only the financially buoyant less the artiste becomes broke and signs up for bankruptcy. Many an artiste and many a label have ran down as they couldn’t keep up with expenses – cost of production, recording, promotion, distribution, branding, even photo and video shoots.
In the seventies, eighties and nineties, men and women with fat pockets were known to sponsor talented acts – King Sunny Ade, Chief Ebenezer Obey, Oliver de Coque, Kollington Ayinla etc, who in gratitude sang their praises in highlife, juju, waka and fuji songs.
According to a recent report by Naya.com they include:
1. IB Dende
Born Ibrahim Egungbohun, 45-year-old IB Dende (customs-licensed clearing agent and hotelier) is one of the biggest funders of contemporary music in the country. Chief IB Dende’s generosity has extended to Pasuma, Olamide, Phyno, Lil Kesh, Small Doctor-with the ‘ain’ creator famously singing “IB Dende Okorun fa e l’owo s’oke (God will lift you up)” on hit Single ‘Arrest’.
2. Ayiri Emami
Warri billionaire, Ayiri Emami, the “Akulagba I of Warri”, was famously referenced by Akwa Ibom comedian/singer/daner MC Galaxy on the Ubiquitous dance track ‘Nek Unek’, Oil magnate Ayiri who had stint as a music artiste during his come-up has lavished his goodwill (including financial resources) on Nigerian artistes such as 2 Face, D’banj, MC Galaxy, Oritsefemi, Iyanya, Majek Fashek e.t.c. He even shows his benevolence featuring in Omawumi’s 2014 ‘Megbele’ video in honour of her father.
3. Baddy Oosha
Self-titled “street lion” Baddy Oosha has been referenced by not a few Nigerian entertainers – name-checked on different occasions by those whom his generous pockets have flowed to. Badmus Akeem. O, first got showered with praises in 2012 when rapper. Reminisce rapped on smash hit 2 Mushh, Olamide, Lil Keshi, Small Doctor are others who have found his kindness. Recently, he decided to try his luck on the mic.
4. Sir Emeka Offor
The fifty-six year old founder and executive vice chairman of chrome group, a Nigerian Conglomerate with interests in oil, biofuels, insurance, dredging and logistics is well known for his philanthropic gestures. In 2003, he donated one million dollars towards the eradication of polio and two years later reportedly donated ten million dollars to fight river blindness. Toward music, he has been benevolent in the development of stars and so it was not a surprise when KCee sang his praises on Ogadinma and Phyno on Nme Nme. Highlife artiste has also praised his generosity.
5. MC Oluomo
The National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) leader in Oshodi, Lagos, Musiliu Akinsanya aka MC Oluomo came to National prominence some weeks ago when he reportedly hosted a braless party to celebrate his birthday a stunt he denied. Headies winning pop artiste Sean, Tizzle eulogized him on Momayan, KWAM I, Pasuma, and other fuji artistes have been beneficiaries of his.
6. Opa 6IX
Born Oluwasegun Akinola OpaOgun, Opa 6ix has extended his charity towards music. Reminisce once rapped his praise. “Shout out si awon omo ni Malay waya waya, Opa 6ix” on 2 Mushh Street Pop artiste Small Doctor also had thankful heart on Uzobu Off his Omo Iya Teacher Sophomore album. Like Baddy Oosha, Opa 6ix has delved into music recording.
7. Ateke Tom
The Nigerian music scene received with pleasant surprise the news of reconciliation between members of the defunct plantashun Boiz spearheaded by ex-Niger Delta militant, Chief Ateke Tom. Former member, Faze posted a video on his Instagram page with the caption: “Just yesterday. When Plantashun Boiz turn (sic) to men. Thank you Chief Comrade Ateke Tom.” Aside from 2 Face, Faze and Black Face, KCee, Mc Galaxy, Iyanya, Cythia Morgan and Harrysong have benefitted from his right hand of fellowship.
R&B star, Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, has recounted the early-career challenges she faced, revealing that she was once booed out of the stage while performing at a school event.
Speaking in an interview with Newsmen, the Crazy Tings crooner shared that she wasn’t only booed but was also harassed with plastic bottles.
“I remember one time I was going to perform at my school as an up-and-coming singer and I thought I was going to receiving a standing ovation.
“But I got booed. They even threw plastic bottles at me,” she recalled.
Tems explained that despite the embarrassing incident and other such rejections, she remained determined to pursue a career in music.
The Tide Entertainment reports that Tems admitted that some of the initial rejections she faced could be due to her conviction to stick to her originality instead of doing covers or familiar sounds like most of her peers.
The Grammy-winning singer said looking back now, she is glad that she didn’t compromise her style despite the initial pressures.
A close associate of late singer Mohbad, Primeboy, has appealed for the artiste’s burial nearly three years after his death.
According to him, Mohbad’s body remains in the mortuary since September 12, 2023, pending burial arrangements.
The Tide Entertainment reports that in a statement Primeboy urged the family, public, and government to permit the burial, stating, “It’s been almost three years since Mohbad left us. His body is still in the mortuary. I’m begging the family, I’m begging the public, I’m begging the government, please let’s bury our brother. He deserves a befitting burial.”
It would be recalled that Mohbad’s death sparked public outrage, protests, and investigations. Ongoing autopsy examinations, police inquiries, and legal proceedings have delayed burial arrangements amid family disagreements and public scrutiny.