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| Olamide |
On Monday, April 25, the Nigerian
music industry woke up to the rumour of one of Yahoo Boy No Laptop (YBNL)
artists Lil Kesh leaving the label. It was reported that Lil Kesh’s
2-year-contract with YBNL expired days back and the Shoki singer refused to
renew his contract. It was also reported that the young rapper is floating his
own label YAGI which was named after his debut album. While this was taken as
mere speculation, Olamide on Tuesday, April 26, formally addressed this via his
social media account the departure of not only Lil Kesh but also Viktoh from his
YBNL record label.
Lil Kesh and Viktoh, two fast-rising
rappers on the YBNL imprint have achieved big feats with Kesh already
conquering new grounds and this is an interesting exploit. A few years ago they
were underground artists in Bariga, a Lagos suburb. But all of this has changed
with Olamide wishing them more success. Be that as it may, there are one or two
big lessons to learn from the ease with which these two artists are leaving
YBNL. This might be good lessons for other label owners whose artists left and
the situation caused some bad blood between them.
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| File photo of Olamide and Lil Kesh |
While it lasted
Olamide fought for his artists While
their relationships lasted, Olamide made his artists believe they are
contemporaries. He carried them along as one. He made them realize he will
fight for them till the end. As long as their working relationship lasted,
Olamide stood up for his artists. He almost ruined his relationship and
reputation when he ‘fought’ openly with Don Jazzy and the organisers of the Headies
in 2014 and 2015 editions of Headies award. He felt his artist Lil Kesh was
cheated in both cases. Olamide has always referred to his label mates as his
brothers and not his subordinates.
School your artists well while the
within your first contract
Olamide signed Viktoh and Lil Kesh
on a contract for two years. After its expiration, the two artists decided to
move on and Olamide did not try to cajole them to stay back. This shows a lot
of maturity on his part. Many label owners in Nigeria today will try to amend
their contract so that somebody like Lil Kesh will renew his contract but
rather Olamide let him go to start his own label. One lesson is learnt here; he
has taught them how to fish not only giving them fishes.
READ ALSO: Olajumoke, MI, others
reacts to Lil Kesh’s exit from YBNL
Smooth separations
When Lil Kesh and
Viktoh decided to leave, Olamide bid them farewell in peace and wished them the
best. Olamide reminded everyone that he signed Lil Kesh and Viktoh with the
belief that after the two years with his label, they will be good enough to
stand on their own. Olamide started his music career with the ID Cabasa-led
Coded Tunes under which he released his debut album Rapsodi in 2012. He later
left to start his own label YBNL in 2012.
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