Entertainment
Unveiling 12 Top ‘Naija’ Artistes Brands Ignore
Wande Coal
Famous people have
always made excellent salesmen, presenting a familiar face is one of the fastest and easiest ways for companies to create brand associations in the minds of consumers. When a widely loved artist or a heroic sports figure endorses a product, that product gains credibility and consumer acceptance which makes one wonder why some artistes who have been consistently popular in the recent past seem not to be able to attract brands despite their mass appeal and wave-making hits.
Following the recent signing of ‘Aye’ hitmaker, Davido into the league of Pepsi ambassadors, which include Wizkid, Tiwa savage and Seyi Shay, here’s a list of 12 Nigerian music stars brands are ignoring despite their thrills in the industry.
1. Oritese Femi
He is one of the hottest Nigerian artistes for a couple of year now with hit tracks including ‘Double Wahala’ ‘Body & Soul’ Igbeyawo, “Sukus’ and ‘Sexy dance’ Despite allowing D’banj to promote products including Koko Garri and Beats by Dre head phones in ‘Double Wahala remix’ video-a move which shows he’s willing, the self-styled ‘Musical Taliban’ is yet to be looked upon by brands.
2. Niyola
A talented soulful singer, she seems to be the right person for commercial airlines and other transportation firms with song titles ‘Go on’ and ‘last bustop’ to sign endorsement deal with-but has none yet.
3. 9Ice
Once in the league of Glo ambassadors, the ‘sugar’ singer has been neglected by brands for some years now, even though he still impresses fans with beautiful songs.
4. Wande Coal
Blessed with a unique voice, the farmer Mo’hits act recently dropped his second album to wide acclaim. His chart-topping skills however has seemingly gone unnoticed by brands and companies. Surely, the ‘Baby Hello’ singer is worthy to be a ‘Superwoman’ again.
5. Sean Tizzle
Since the “perfect Gentleman” was dropped by MTN last year, following a deal worth N20m when he was signed in 2014, he’s yet to be picked up by another brand.
This may be due to allegations of ‘skin bleaching’ leveled against him by fans, or may be not.
6. Adekunle God
After successfully dropping hits back to back, from sade to Orente to Pick up, and now that he’s ready, what are the brands waiting for?
7. Small Doctor
Small Doctor’s ‘Mosquites killer’ and ‘Gabera’ – a popular song for Dog and Horse race speculators. Should have been enough to get him an endorsement deal.
Alas, unlike Harrysong who sang ‘share the Gala, share the booze, the booze, the booze and got a deal, the deals seems not to be in the horizon.
8. Lil Kesh
You won’t believe the YBNL act and Headies nominee has No brand endorsement, his ‘street credibility’ notwithstanding. Yes we’re shocked too.
9. Dr. Victor Olaiya
At 85, he’s arguably the oldest and most active highlife singer in the world after Bobby Benson passed away in 1983, E.T. Mensah in 1996 and Jerry Hansen, leader of Ramblers Dance Band of Ghana, who died in April 2012.
The remix of his hit song “Baby Jowo’ featuring 2 face Idibia in 2013, Baba is yet to be signed up by a brand.
10. Ill Bliss
As one of the most hardworking rappers in the country, ‘Oga Boss’ from the eastern side of Nigeria deserves that bank alert, Chukwu Agozigo gi…
11. Runtown
Walahi he’s been making Bangers from Lagos to Kampala and several others. He’s had a couple of hits to his credit in recent years and any brand that partners with the 26 year-old singer will surely become more successful.
12. Saheed Osupa
The self –acclaimed King of Fuji music is nowhere close to his acclaimed rival Pasuma and Alao Malaika when it comes to brand endorsements.
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.’