The Nigerian music industry can boast of an amazing number of talented artists who can compete anywhere in the world. As they gain recognition, however, it is easy to forget those who stood by them and pushed them towards the fame they now enjoy.

While not all talent managers can really be said to put their hearts into their work and the promotion of their artists, it is pertinent that those who show such dedication and consistency are recognized.

As such, it will come as no surprise that Franklin Amudo, CEO of D’Luxe Management, former manager to D’banj, and current manager to the sensational Holmes, has been recognized amongst Nigerian’s top managers and management persons.

The appreciation post, themed Love, Work and Respect, was initiated by Alex Okeke; long-term manager to top Nigerian artiste Olamide and Ceo of Red and Axla, a top management agency in Nigeria.

Franklin Amudo is a veritable connoisseur whose career in the Nigerian entertainment industry has grown steadily over the last 20years.

He gained popularity while representing D’banj as a talent and business manager. At the time, he also acted as general manager for The CREAM Platform, also owned by D’banj, until he resigned in January of 2019 and started his talent management agency, D’Luxe.

Amudo’s talent management outfit has worked in various capacities with several Nigerian and international entertainers including 2face, Tony Tetuila, Femi Kuti, Tamara Dey, Cassper Nyovest Nas, Jay Z & Beyonce, and Global Citizen with D’banj and recently with Yemi Alade.

The appreciation post celebrates artiste managers across various eras in the music industry, and it is clear that having dedicated his life, so passionately, to his career Franklin Amudo has earned his place on that list.

The Forward AGN Group, a pressure group in Nollywood has endorsed Emeka Rising as Chairman in the forthcoming AGN Lagos election.

The coordinator of the group, Paul Julius, made the group’s position known at a well-attended press conference with the group, stakeholders and members of the Guild in Lagos on Sunday.

Julius explained that the group endorsed Emeka Rising as its own preference of Chairmanship candidate because he was the only one that can resuscitate the Lagos Guild that is currently bereft of activities and ideas.

“Our decision to stand by him is neither unguided nor borne out of sentiments. It is a result of extensive analysis and assessment. We need someone with experience, who can hold the Guild together.

“This is more so because Rising has the experience, capacity and capability to revive AGN Lagos that is currently under intensive care unit.

“Let’s face it, our Guild use to be the envy of other Guilds in Nigeria. They looked up to us for direction, guidance and innovations because we used to be the Guild with the Midas touch. We set the pace others follow. Today, things are falling apart and that is the reason the project #ForwardAGNGroup is on this rescue mission. We have been meeting (Physical and Virtual) over the last couple of weeks brainstorming, selecting, analyzing potentials and searching for the one person that can be a bridge builder and put our Guild back on track. The #ForwardAGNLagosGroup hereby endorse Emeka Rising for the position of the chairmanship position and promise to purchase his election form and deliver over 200 votes for him at the election. We urge all other persons nursing any ambition to contest for the position of the chairman to reconsider their decision and join Emeka Rising in the interest of progress. During his first tenure as Chairman, he initiated programmes that are still relevant today in our Guild. We believe with our support he can do it again if given the opportunity, he said.

“The task ahead of us is huge but with dedication, hard work and with the experience of Emeka Rising and the support of our members of AGN Lagos, we will surely take Guild out of its current state of intensive care unit,” Paul Julius added.

He thanked the outgoing administration led by the Moji Oyetayo for her service to the Guild especially in the midst of the pandemic and all the turbulence of last year even up till now. It is now obvious that she can nolonger continue to give what she does not have. Paul Julius noted.

Also present at the press briefing was popular PR enthusiast, Amb. Cornel Udofia, Confidence Osuji, Olamilekan Mohammed, Shedrac Itua and Ademola Moyo.

20 years after the evergreen single, ‘One Day Ego Better’, member of the defunct group, “Safari”, Mike Nliam, has returned to the music stage, with the release of his debut solo single called ‘Just Like Fela’.

This new song which is like a breath of fresh air, is a classic afro-pop with Afrobeat tunes and laced with blazing trumpet horns, heavy bass guitar strings, and drum kicks.

‘Just Like Fela’, is the first song off Mike Nliam’s new 7-track EP due out in the coming weeks. The song which is dropping with a music video, will be available for streaming on all music platforms from February 9th.

Mike who gave a five star performance in the new job gave an insight on how the song came about. Hear him, “A couple of years ago, I watched a video by ‘Maroon 5’ titled ‘Move Like Jagger’, and immediately, I was motivated to write a song in honor of the legendary Fela. I am a diehard fan of his”.

Speaking further on the track produced by Dr. Kris Okoro, Nliam said, “During writing, the catchy chorus was the first I penned before the verses”.

“In the late 90s, I came into the entertainment industry a bustling and ambitious young man who wanted to rule the music world. I met Zeb Ejiro that has an eye for discovering talents. He noticed my songwriting gift and offered a young boy an opportunity to write a song for a TV series he was producing in partnership with Ralph Nwadike and NTA titled ‘Fortunes’. That was my adventure into being a sound-track artist and romance with the movie industry began. As at today, I have done over 500 songs for movies and TV series”, Mike stated.

As “Safari” in 2001, Mike Nliam and his colleague Abay Esho, released the hit single ‘One Day Ego Better’ which made them an instant hit. They also had a sophomore track titled “Yapaa”, before “Safari” went silent.

Interestingly, the second half of the group, “Safari”, Abay Esho directed the “Just like Fela” video which is guaranteed to sweep you off your feet.

https://mikenliam.com/JustLikeFela/