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.
Popular businessman and socialite, Pascal Okechukwu, aka Cubana Chief Priest, has said that his relationship with singer Davido is beyond money and gossip.
He stated this in a recent interview with BBC Igbo.
“Davido is my friend. He is my in-law; he married Chioma who is from Imo State where I hail from.
“So the relationship I have with Davido is beyond money and gossip,” he said.
DAILY POST reports that Chief Priest disclosed via his Instagram page that his outfit for the wedding of the singer, Davido and his wife, Chioma, in Lagos on Tuesday cost seven million Naira.
The socialite recently appreciated Davido for not “discarding” Chioma.
He stated that the DMW boss has made Imo State proud by choosing to marry from the state.
Nigerian singer Simisola Kosoko, popularly known as Simi, has lent her voice to the ongoing anti-tax hike protests in Kenya.
The Tide’s source reports that Kenyan youths are marching against tax hike in widespread demonstrations tagged ‘RejectFinanceBill2024.’
Five people were shot dead and dozens wounded after police clashed with protesters who stormed the parliament building in Nairobi on Tuesday, according to Amnesty Kenya.
Reacting via her X handle on Tuesday night, Simi declared her support for the demonstrators.
She stated that “it is both powerful and heartbreaking for a people to have to fight and die for freedoms and rights.”
The singer wrote, “I stand with the people of Kenya. It is both powerful and heartbreaking for a people to have to fight and die for freedoms and rights. Godspeed and Strength. [Hash tag] RejectFinanceBill2024.”
In a series of other posts, she wrote: “Wow. When you’ve had enough, the fight is almost inevitable.
“African leaders- have not you done enough?
“I can’t wait for the day Africa is not a weapon fashioned against Africans. All of this amazing Black power and human resource, but the majority are not likely to thrive unless they run.”
Famous Nigerian Afrobeat singer, Davido was spotted among other top artistes at Asake’s ‘Lungu Boy’ tour concert in Atlanta, Georgia.
Asake’s performance at his sold-out show at the 17,000-capacity State Farm Arena in Atlanta began on August 16, 2024, and is set to run for 10 days.
In a trending video on social media, Davido appeared backstage with American rapper Quavo to support Asake during the live performance.
Other musicians in attendance included Nigerian hitmaker Zlatan and American rapper Russ Millions.
The Tide’s source reports that Asake’s ‘Lungu Boy’ tour is set to cover six U.S. cities, where he will headline notable venues including Madison Square Garden in New York, the Toyota Center in Houston, and the State Farm Arena in Atlanta.
Asake’s tour comes just days after the release of his latest hit, ‘Lungu Boy,’ which features several superstars, including Wizkid, British rappers Central Cee and Stormzy, Travis Scott and Brazilian singer Ludmilla.
‘Lungu Boy’ set a new record for the biggest opening week on Spotify Nigeria, garnering 18.9 million streams in its opening week and breaking the previous record of 14.4 million streams held by Davido’s ‘Timeless.’