Wednesday 29 March 2017

Corrupt ‘Uniforms’ kill change; UP Naira


Corrupt ‘Uniforms’ kill change; UP Naira
• Naira and dollar notes
Our Girls are missing since April 15 2014. Pray.
God has blessed Nigeria mightily with gifts, but we repeatedly abused that blessing, leaving citizens underdeveloped in power, water, housing, education, health, transport and security. THE GIFTS ARE FOUR. The OIL we steal, impoverishing the nation; the SUN we ignore, making us powerless; the CITIZENS we cripple with Corruption. Only the CLIMATE allows us to endure the loss of the first three.
Buhari’s anti-corruption agenda appears rejected by the Uniforms which are killing change – The police, ‘yellow fever’, customs, and road law enforcement. I see one NCDCC in Bodija Ibadan at7.30am every morning, arrogantly displacing traffic with a siren and armed men. Corruption elimination is not nuclear physics. One past IGP succeeded at checkpoints.
The President Buhari Agenda must show the public actual signs of ‘UNIFORM CORRUPTION’ elimination. He will be judged by all Nigerians suffering the ‘NIGERIAN UNIFORM CORRUPTION EFFECT’. Every Nigerian child has seen a ‘UNIFORM INVOLVED IN A CORRUPTION ACTIVITY,’ from checkpoints, crossroads, ‘charge-and-bail-is-free-but-pay-N5000-sha,’ customs points, unanswered calls during robberies, to simple going to a police station to report, where you could become the accused! All need sanitisation. Solution? As the New Sheriff in Town, Buhari holding monthly ANTI-CORRUPTION MEETINGS must CHALLENGE EACH HEAD OF A UNIFORMED ORGANISATION WITH a QUERY, SUSPENSION and or SACK IF CORRUPTION PERSISTS IN 1-3 MONTHS. The country, Georgia, did it, so Nigeria can do it! REPEAT THE PROCESS WITH THE REPLACEMENT OF HEADS OF UNIFORMS UNTIL THEY CLEAN UP THEIR ORGANISATIONS.
Do these people AND President Buhari even get a ‘NATIONWIDE CORRUPTION PERCEPTION REPORT’ broken down by LISTING IN ORDER THE MOST TO THE LEAST CORRUPT LGAs, State, MDAs? Publish the list monthly. Maybe NEIITI or Transparency International –Nigeria should also do this? The Government must continue to encourage WHISTLEBLOWING.
For some time, the naira has been reduced to the status of toilet-paper due to years of PPP- Political, Public and Private Sector-theft. But now Nigeria appears on a new course with the naira, which is only considered precious by those with no foreign account. MAJOR NAIRA APPRECIATION, NAIRA UP, DOLLAR DOWN. This is an almost unknown event in Nigerian banking, demonstrating the treacherous triangle of speculators, CBN policy maladjustments and government policy precipitating the collapse of the naira recently! The recovery is supported by a reasonable dollar inflow from oil from a semi-peaceful Niger Delta, a massive reduction in frivolous spending, a stranglehold on corruption. But let us not stop at N309 as it is not the real signpost of value. The naira must reach N150, and even N80, to improve the value of money in our pocket. The better the naira value, the less agitation for salary increase!  Nigeria must also be rescued from the ‘FRIVOLOUS SPENDING’ ON MULTIBILLION POLITICAL SALARY and Perks and hyper-Pensions of NASS which must be cut by 90% with sitting allowances only! Speculators- sell or frame your dollars bought for N4-500 dollars. Dealers are protesting to the CBN because they have NEVER experienced a ‘Rise in naira value.’ WHO HAS QUANTIFIED THE ‘FEEL GOOD’ FACTOR OF A STRONG HEALTHY NAIRA?
With a policy guaranteeing increased Foreign Reserves at $1-2b/month, we can predict a figure in 2019 of $50-80b, a figure we should have attained 10-15 years ago if our Presidents and NASS had been responsible, longsighted and held naira in higher esteem. Of course, too many officials managing Nigeria’s naira think first of inflating the value of hoarded stolen dollars by devaluing the naira. The cheaper the naira, the more naira they got for stolen dollars. They are in-house ‘NAIRA TERRORISTS’, destroying millions of citizens’ goals and aspirations and the naira fall for their evil personal gain. And the cheaper the naira, the easier it is to pay salaries cheaply with fewer dollars –which they still manage not to do, even with Paris Club Refunds. All is corruption!!!
Among Nigeria’s Presidents, only Buhari has seriously protected the naira. The others agreed with economists that a weak naira promoted exports. These economists are also against paying pensions in order ‘to prevent inflation’. Inhuman economics, abi? The naira should reach N150 or 80:$1 by 2019 Feb. In agreement with the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan, we must stop importing petroleum products, reducing dollar demand, ASAP. BRING OUT HOARDED NAIRA NOW! Millions of people will be elevated from poverty by empowering the naira!
Fulani cows should be branded, confined and fattened in their home states and shipped by trailer or train, NOT TRACK. No nationwide free and murderous grazing. To feed a dog, chicken or child, you buy food and feed it. Same for cows. A farmer’s produce is not FREE FOOD, and his life is worth a million cows! Allocate money to feed cows.
After 20,000Mw of power immediately, the most important responsibility of any Nigerian President, so far abandoned by all except Buhari, is to EMPOWER THE NAIRA to empower all Nigerians, not a devaluation which depresses everyone and empowers only those who corruptly acquired dollars.
NIGHTCLUBS HAVE MURDERED SLEEP nationwide, particularly, in Bodija, the residential area around Awolowo Road, Ibadan, Oyo State. This is now a BODIJA NO SLEEP NIGHTMARE NIGHTCLUB DESTINATION just like Admiralty Way, Lekki, Lagos. Citizens suffer throughout the night. SOUNDPROOF NIGHTCLUBS. RESPECT THE CITIZENS’ RIGHT TO SILENCE AND SLEEP. Where is government?
NNB: Nigerians, you, must put forward a new generation of untainted ‘I LOVE NIGERIA’ KNOWLEDGEABLE CANDIDATES for 2019.
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Why politicians must emulate Tinubu, by lawmakers

Why politicians must emulate Tinubu, by lawmakers
Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, Senator representing Lagos East Zone ‘Gbenga Ashafa,  Afenifere chieftain Senator Ayo Fasanmi, House of Representatives member James Faleke and others have saluted the courage, determination, commitment and the will to succeed displayed by All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In different statements to celebrate the 65th birthday anniversary of the former governor, they urged politicians to emulate him.
Obasa, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Musbau Razak, described Tinubu as the architect of modern Lagos.
He stated that the ingenuity of the former governor turned the state once regarded as the dirtiest in the country to the cleanest and also achieved a mega city status.
“He’s not only the architect of modern Lagos, he’s also a great leader of men, whose unrivalled ability to discover talent has led to the discovery of great leaders, who have turned out to become reference points in great leadership and good governance,” the Speaker said.
Obasa added that Asiwaju Tinubu would continue to remain relevant and the main reference point in Nigerian politics because of his selfless and humane nature.
“His love for the common man knows no bound and his passion for the development and growth of this great country makes him arguably Nigeria’s greatest politician of the present political dispensation,” he said.
He said: “On behalf of other members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, I greet our leader and wish him more years of celebration in good health and wisdom.”
Ashafa described Asiwaju as a leader, who would never be bereft of loyal followership.
Noting that the former Lagos State governor has paid his dues by building able lieutenants, the senator hailed Tinubu for being selfless. He described the quality as “uncommon among political elite”.
In his goodwill message, titled: “Toast to an uncommon leader at 65”, Ashafa said of Tinubu: “He’s clearly demonstrated that leadership is all about service. He has always shown leadership by example.
“Asiwaju Tinubu has never done anything for selfish motives. He sacrifices personal comfort for the benefit of the society. He will continue to enjoy loyal, faithful and dedicated followership.
“There no gainsaying in the fact that Asiwaju as a leader sees ahead of others. Two of his lieutenants, who took the mantle of leadership as governors have confirmed his ability to groom successors. His dream of taking Lagos to loftier heights has become a reality.”
The senator urged other politicians to take a cue from Tinubu by showing genuine commitment to the wellbeing of the society.
Fasanmi, in a statement, rejoiced with the APC national leader and showered encomiums on him for his achievements in Lagos State as a governor.
According to the statement, Fasanmi said Tinubu transformed Lagos State, laid foundation for good governance and has become a leading light in national politics.
”At 65, you have assured for yourself a place of honour in the contemporary history and archives of our society. Please continue to remain firm like an anvil under the stroke. I wish you many happy returns of your birthday. The struggle continues. God bless,” the statement added.
In his tribute, House of Representatives member Faleke described Tinubu as a leader of leaders and a dogged political fighter.
Faleke, who is representing the Ikeja Federal Constituency, said the former Lagos State governor has demonstrated an unflinching fate in developing a generation of future leaders.
According to him, the APC stalwart would rather stand alone rather than jump the ship to join the bandwagon.
The federal lawmaker, in his message, titled: “Hearty Cheers to an ICON @ 65”, listed the sterling attributes that endeared Tinubu to his followers.
He said: “We are inspired by your astute political leadership, motivated by your sense of purpose and encouraged by your selfless service to humanity. You are respected for your sense of focus and resilience and cherished for your love and compassion.”
Congratulating the APC stalwart, who he called a dynamic strategist on his 65th birthday, Faleke said: “Your best is yet to come.”
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‘Use what we make, make what we use’


‘Use what we make, make what we use’
Text of an address by former Lagos State Governor and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Tinubu at the the 9th Colloquium to mark his 65th birthday in Lagos 
It is more than gratifying to mark my birthday in this good way. To all of you –  many who have traveled great distances –  I am honored that you joined me today. Though the event banners speak my name, this gathering is not about me. It is about that which a people united in purpose must do to improve their beloved country.
We build the nation we seek by forcing ourselves to become that nation, day by day, step by difficult step. We do so by casting aside the prejudices of yesterday to forge a more just society where no Nigerian is held down because of his place of origin, his faith or social station.  But where all have the chance to rise by dint of honest labor and constructive enterprise. This is as God intended us to be. We have no choice but to achieve this destiny.
Before we go further, I give special thanks to Vice President Osinbajo.
Leading a group of fellow commissioners who worked together during my time as governor of Lagos, Yemi and this creative group have turned this event into an annual reality.
Each year, they assemble creative minds to address the issues that stand in the way of our national greatness. As a result, the colloquium gets better by the year.
In this and so much else, the VP has proven himself a true servant of the Nigerian people. While our dear President had to be away, the VP performed admirably as his loyal subordinate.
I applaud President Buhari. He meticulously followed our constitution in temporarily transferring the helm to the VP.  As such, these two excellent men exemplified teamwork and the true meaning of unity of purpose.
A selfless leader, President Buhari set the stage by giving strategic policy direction. Showing himself equally selfless, our VP, as acting president, worked as the faithful arm of the President, diligently putting in action what President Buhari had directed him to do.
Two men of different backgrounds, faiths and professional experiences forged themselves into a team managing complex matters of governance in a seamless, smooth manner.
Try as critics might, they could not create any space between the President and his deputy. This is how things are when people are united in vision and purpose. As President Buhari and his VP have been, we all must become.
I have been told that I must utter some brief comments. Given that this event has rendered you a captive audience and that my birthday affords special privileges that disappear the next day, I will take undue advantage to give more than brief comments.
ECONOMIC PHILOSOPHY
More than any hour in our recent history, Nigeria stands at a defining juncture. Our challenges are manifold and profound. But so are our collective abilities and talents. The balance will then tip in favor or against us as our commitment and political will to succeed dictate.
Today we must ask a most fundamental question:  Is our our political economy structured for the benefit of man or have we reduced man to be subservient to the impersonal political economy?
The correct answer looms self evident. The political economy should be for the benefit of man.  In reality, we do not first try to reshape the economy to realize optimal benefit for the people. Instead, we have been conditioned to demand that the people contort themselves to fit the dictates of what the economy is or what it isn’t.
I reject this harsh path. It violates the tenets of morality and of sustainable economics itself.
We must begin and end our pursuit of economic balance with the precious things this nation produces.
You see, Nigeria is actually a prolific manufacturer. It has produced 170 million of the most adaptive, industrious economic units on earth.
I talk about our people. Our task is not to lament their great numbers but to reform the political economy in a manner that puts them to productive work.
The old model upon which this economy has so long sputtered, has crashed right before our eyes. We must retool ourselves. A new outlook is needed.
Even at the best of times and with the highest of oil prices, widespread poverty, gross inequality and high unemployment of man, machinery and material described our condition.
The decline in oil prices turned our extant economic model into rubble overnight. If we do nothing to reform it, we have done nothing less than enter into an economic suicide pact with ourselves.
Fortunately, the current government has begun the sometimes painful process of salvage and reform.
I offer a few personal insights, hoping they may be of some help in this vital economic reformation.
DIVERSIFICATION
/INDUSTRIAL POLICY
No populous modern nation with a significant urban population has attained prosperity without creating an industrial base capable of employing great numbers of the urban population and of manufacturing goods for domestic consumption and export.
We must learn from England which barred the export of textile looms at dawn of the Industrial Revolution, from the high tariffs America imposed for over 150 years after its independence. From China which implemented a most comprehensive protectionist regime to become the world’s most prolific manufacturer.
These three nations represent the past, present and immediate future of economic achievement.
Yet we depart from what has proven effective. The manuals of mainstream economics tell us not to do as these nations did. We oddly choose to believe falsehoods written in the books at the expense of the truth on the ground.
We must press forward with a national industrial policy fostering development of strategic industries that create jobs and spur further economic growth.
As part of this plan, government should institute a policy of tax credits, subsidies and the insulation from the negative impact of imports critical for these sectors.
INFRASTRUCTURE
AND POWER
Closely complementing the industrial plan, we need a national infrastructure plan. New structures need to be built and existing ones enhanced so that we enjoy a coherently planned and integrated infrastructural grid. A national economy cannot grow beyond the capacity of the infrastructure that serves it.
Of utmost importance, we must conquer the political and bureaucratic bottlenecks preventing affordable, reliable electrical power.
This impediment places us literally and figuratively in the dark regarding our economic condition.
The problems are not technical in nature as reliable electricity is a staple of economic life in nations less endowed than Nigeria.
We must persuade and convince those factors that currently impede our national quest for reliable power to move aside so that we can achieve this crucial precursor to economic vitality.
CREDIT, MORTGAGES
AND INTEREST RATES
Modern economies are built on credit. However, credit for business investment and consumer spending is too costly in Nigeria to be of much help.
Consumer credit mechanisms must be more accessible to the average consumer. Prevailing custom still requires a consumer to purchase in one lump sum a house, a car, a refrigerator. This is oppressive. It defeats the average consumer and dampens economic activity.
Moreover, this systemic credit malpractice fosters corruption.  Hardly any can save so much that they are able to pay for a house or car all at once. To acquire the lump sum amounts, decent people are tempted to do what they would not even consider if consumer credit was practically at hand.
We have to revamp our government-backed home mortgage system. Mortgage loan agencies need to be better funded, they must liberalize eligibility requirements so more people qualify and they should provide longer-term mortgages with manageable interest rates.
AGRICULTURAL REFORM
At last year’s colloquium, we discussed a commodity exchange boards and futures markets to ensure minimum farm incomes and encourage production. We now need to summon the heart and courage to implement ideas that have consistently proven themselves in other countries. If we try, these measures will ably acquit themselves here.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, one additional thought shall suffice. Here I add a third part to this year’s theme. Not only must we use what we make and make what we use. We must make what the world values.
A nation does itself better by manufacturing a good and affordable appliance or car than in cultivating a sublime mango or perfect banana. We must not allow our present comparative disadvantage in manufacturing to keep us from pursuing a tomorrow where that disadvantage is abolished.
We stand at a moment where history will be made for better or worse.  Consequently, we must use our creative insight to peer into tomorrow to see what the rest of the world may want to buy, then devote ourselves to making these products.
Neither Japan nor South Korea had significant iron ore deposits. Yet they built steel industries as the foundation for their impressive rise in car manufacturing.
Nigeria must act in similar fashion. We must remember nothing that another nation can do is beyond our grasp even if we do not currently have the thing in hand. This is the change that we can and must achieve
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To All Upcoming Artistes: Let’s Talk Music Promotion, Things You Should Know If You Want Limelight – By Wale Applause





The primary reason for doing music is for the money and the eventual fame that comes with it, although after a couple singles, artistes go for interview and say they do music for the passion.
Maybe passion is the ignition, but money and fame is the fuel. That being said, the essence of making music is the direct conversion to fame and money. For music to convert to fame and money, one major key is PROMOTIONS.
There isn’t any hard and fast rule to music promotions, often times what works for artiste A might not work for artiste B, but some things are just essentials.
My name is Wale Applause. Having worked with quite a lot of acts such as Olamide, and currently working with Lil Kesh, maybe i know a little about music promotion i would like to share.
In a lay man’s language, promotion is the constant, almost back to back play of a song anywhere and anytime. From experience, people tend to like and sing along a song that they hear as many times as possible.
The best way to sell your music is unconscious marketing of the song. Unconscious marketing is when your song is being played everywhere at anytime, by everywhere i mean marketplaces, boutiques, bars, canteens, i mean every public place.
The quality of a song doesn’t in anyway determine the strength of a song, apologies to Small doctor. Promotions determines the strength of a song.
The first assignment of the artiste is to know and understand the audience you are singing for. Truth be told, you cannot sing for everyone and everyone cannot like your song.
Olamide & Kesh chose the streets, Phyno chose his brothers from the east, Mr. Eazi chose the Ghanaians and London babes, Adekunle Gold went for the mature folks.
Choosing for fan base is important because it helps you expand, these first set of fanbase become staunch fans who will eventually carry you on their head and do the main promotion for you.
The next thing is to create a song that can be played anywhere at every time. Your first mission is to ‘blow’ people will find out how talented you are later. Do a song that will fly on radio, bars, clubs etc.
It doesn’t necessarily have to be noisy or vulgar. Just do a song that can cut across. Take a cue from Burna boy, Adekunle Gold and Mr. Eazi.
What PR and PR companies do is make your song available on every platform, they don’t necessarily blow a song. A SONG IS ONLY BLOWN WHEN IT IS ACCEPTED BY THE PEOPLE.
Let’s take the channels one at a time stating its function, strength and importance.
ONLINE:
This includes music websites and social networks. It is very important that your music is on all major platforms, but DO NOT neglect the “small blogs”. They play a more important role than top blogs. Let me break it down.
Top blogs give you a platform, and presence but ask yourself, how many people actually go to top blogs to down new songs by a newbie, just a small percentage.
It’s almost very compulsory that your song are on top blogs but it is more important that you have your song on smaller blogs as they are called because they do more promotion for you than you think.
These so called smaller blogs send Whatsapp and BBM broadcast messages, they send mails, they post almost every new material on their social network, they advertise their websites on other platforms, they do unconscious PR for you, because they are also in your shoes, they need audience for their website.
Another reason is that most of these small websites publish sensational news, these news are inviting and you find out that more people click on these news and visit these websites, because they offer more than music.
That way you stand a higher chance of being seen. Also, talking about Top blogs, aim for sites that give you more downloads, sites visited more by Djs, i mean street Dj (coming to this later) a good example is naijaloaded.com, Tooxclusive.com.
The likes of Notjustok gives you a platform and indeed for artistes in need of sponsors and investors, it put you in the eyes of these people as the site has a good audience outside Nigeria where data is almost free.
Social Media promotion is good, but not as effective as it used to be back in the day. Back in the early days of twitter, trends used to happen because a certain topic is being talked about by many people at same time, but today, most trends are induced.
It’s good to have your material talked about by Social media influencers, but not to the extent that it becomes annoying. Most tweeps have unfollowed “trending account” because there is nothing interesting about them, all they do is trend.
Get social media influencers that talk about various other things than music, they have more audience. Have them talk about your song subtly but frequently. You cannot crowd people’s TL with a link to your song. It can be annoying. Find your way to their heart gently, it’s more appealing. You can’t force people to download your song, you did not buy them data, even if you did.
RADIO
I will ask you one cogent question, HOW OFTEN DO YOU LISTEN TO RADIO? If you did not do music, would you possibly listen to radio everyday? May be not. This is not to say that Radio is negligible, it’s not, but alas radio promotions isn’t as strong as it used to be.
We live in the age and time where OAPs live more like celebrities, if you ask me they need money to keep up. Where do you think they get this from? Salary? You must be laughing too.
Radio is indeed losing it’s essence because way back, good music had a way of finding itself on air but now every song is tantamount to an advert, someone must be paid.
What is the essence of having your song played on radio once a day and that’s all. I listen to your song on radio, i like it but i don’t know the title or your name. Must i always go on twitter to check tweets, HELL NO!
This is the situation we find ourselves now. Sadly i see a lot of new artistes rejoice over a couple airplays which they paid for. What a wawu! They more often think about the tweets and not the effect of the airplay.
For radio promotions to be effective, you need to employ the services of radio stations and OAPs that can play you often without you having to place a reminder call.
You need OAPs that will mention your name on air before, after or while your song is being played. Your name shouldn’t just be mentioned on the day you come for interview which would most likely be listed to by your friends.
If you must rely on radio promotions, your song must be playing as many times as possible on at least 5 radio stations. DO NOT be radio station specific. Let the audience of the song you are pushing dictate what radio station or OAP you are talking to.
You wouldn’t take a noisy song to Classic Fm, same way you won’t take a full english song to Faaji FM. Every radio station has a “type” of music they can play back to back. UNDERSTAND THAT!
Also, take your music outside Lagos. We all know that Lagos is over crowded musically, but there is a saying that Once you can sell in Lagos, you can sell anywhere.
Let’s not forget that songs like Yahoozee and Gongo Aso blew from Ibadan. The OAPs in radio stations outside Lagos are a lot friendlier, less cost intensive and a lot cost effective.
They honestly put in work than Lagos OAPs who are hustling just like you, forget the facade. OAPs outside lagos will very readily see you as a brother and friend than the ones in Lagos would. Think about that.
FACEBOOK
Wondering why i had to take this out of the online subtopic, its intentional. People oftentimes forget that facebook of all the social networks is one place where you can be the real you. Facebook has your friends, neighbours, cousins, maybe your entire family on it.
These people form a core of your fanbase. They can ‘off shirt and fight’ for you if need be. People on Facebook know the real you. Some people on there even know what you had for breakfast, support is easy because they know you.
As long as the online sphere is concerned, you need the people on Facebook more because most of them even know you before you started music. Invest in Facebook ads. There are daily, weekly and monthly options. It gives you a good reach.
ALABA PROMOTIONS
Oh those lovely days of Terry G, Danny Young, Kleva J when alaba promo was the magic, but alas we have left that age. This is the new age.
Alaba promotions is very good especially if you can afford it. What it does is that it spreads your song to other parts of the country, but what is the effect of the spread.
Alaba promotions is very good especially if you get the right hands to handle it for you, but the disadvantage is that once you start alaba promo, you cannot go back.
For an effective alaba promotions, be ready to spend money. There are 3 classes of people who must get something from you for your job to go well. 1. The Marketers 2 The Djs 3. The Jacket Designers.
These 3 classes of people are very numerous. You would be lying to yourself to think that you can give everyone something. Even if you have a budget of N5000 for each person (which would not work though) you will be in need of millions to reach everyone, so here is what you do.
I advise newbies especially to get “someone” who knows the market well, someone who knows what marketer can handle which song. When the right marketer has been identified, subject to the available budget you have him get you other marketers you can trust.
These people will be sorted while the major marketers happens to be your supervisor for the project. This same supervisor will help you get Djs, (number also subject to budget) who work for different marketers.
The Djs need to be sorted because they are the ones who make the mixes to be dubbed en masse, while the marketers are sorted because they are the ones who pay to dub the cds, i hope you understand that.
The Jacket Designers are given something to make sure your picture appears on the Jacket which is another form of promo, such that even if a customer is not buying the Cd, he/she can see your face.
After all these is done, week in week out, the “someone” who was assigned to the job has to visit Alaba international market, to make sure the job is being done effectively, to be sure your song is way up in the track list, to acknowledge that the song title and artiste name is correct for every production and more.
There are weeks he has to go with several bottles of wines and alcohol to be distributed to Marketers and Djs as motivation and reminder.
From my brief, you can already see how stressful and cost intensive it can be.
In this age and time that we find ourselves, Alaba mixes don’t do well in (especially) Lagos like it used to because people get to download mixes from prominent Djs online, you find out that more mixes are sold in the east where you necessarily don’t have your fans.
STREET PROMOTIONS
The term street promotion is an ambiguous one and cannot be strictly defined. Street promotions cover the Clubs, Market places, Boutiques, brothels, restaurants and bars, petrol stations, the list goes on.
As of today, street promotions happens to be the most tasking but most effective form of promotion. Let me be quick to add that NOT EVERY PR / ARTISTE MANAGER CAN SAIL IN THIS WATER.
Street promotion is the best form of promotion because once your song keeps popping in many places at same time, that’s all you need. There are several example of songs that took off from the streets, but i will site Shoki by Lil Kesh and Double Wahala by Oritshefemi as examples.
These are songs that ordinarily wouldn’t have been played on radio, but the street took it to the radio. Once your song is popping on the streets, everyone wants to identify with you because you are winning.
Who doesn’t like winners? The question of how do you get your song to these places, how do they play my song back to back is one that bugs every newbie, but as difficult as it seem, it’s the most effective.
Loudspeakers in public places have no dimension, people pass to and fro in front of them hereby getting music into their head unconsciously. Take for instance a loudspeaker at the entrance of Computer Village Ikeja, That speaker probably has more effect that radio because it can play one song all day without any questions being asked, and people get to listen consciously or unconsciously.
The owner of the speaker has the sole right to whatever come out of the speaker. Whatever comes out of the speaker get to the sellers and buyers.
(Here let me give you a secret about blowing, you only blow when people think you are about to blow, more people begin to identify with you and your song. What street promo does is give people a feel that you are about to blow, making you more susceptible to acceptance)
Street promotions gives a pseudo-blow feeling and people begin to assume that you are almost there because your song is popping on the streets.
For street promo, you need to target best location of fit for your song. e.g. Small Doctor and Agege & its environs. You need to know where your song will be very well accepted.
Another hint is target bars and brothels. The Djs here can have your song on repeat for as much as 10 times with no one to question them, but a club Dj will almost find it difficult because the club is for turn up.
How many times in the club does the Dj finish playing a hit song before going to the next song, it’s their job to turn the people up, in this case people only turn up to hit songs, but in bars and restaurants that are visited all week, (bearing in mind that most club nights start from wednesday) the Dj or bar man can have just your promo Cd playing back to back for hours.
It’s easier to get more playtime at the bars than at the club and people pay more attention to new music in bars than clubs. Do not forget that most club Djs are celebrities too, they need money to keep up and shoot videos too, even if you are going to be contributing to that, make sure its worth it.
THE ARTISTE
You have to live and breathe your song, this doesn’t mean you need to bore everyone around you.
You need to visit your social networks often, be your own PR. One mistake often made by artistes is that they only frequent their social networks when they have a new material, and all they do is come online to retweet or repost.
That’s not right. You need your budding or already existing fan base to see and know that you have a life outside music which you do. You will be making more fans when people find out you have more to offer than your music and you share things such as football clubs, perfumes, ideas and ideologies in common.
It’s actually very rude to just come online and all you do is retweet mentions about your song. It is a major key that you communicate often with your fans. Go outside music, deal with life on social media. Take a cue from Adekunle Gold and Mr Eazi. These 2 have a fanbase that will support them even if they decide a change of trade.
Your immediate community needs to know you are an artiste and you have a song that you pushing. You need people who can and will always want to identify with you. Olamide will always have Bariga, Wizkid will always have Surulere. WIN YOUR STREET.
THE PR/PR AGENCY
As said earlier, it is honestly not the Job of the Pr to make a song a hit, but what makes a hit is the acceptance by the people, but before a song can be accepted by the Pr, it has been made readily available through all channels.
The PR needs to understand the artiste, the song and the target audience. In the Nigeria music scene today, an effective PR is one that is street grounded.
One that is connected to not just Top Djs, but street Djs who can “carry the song on their head”. Packaging doesn’t do it anymore.
The PR/PR agency needs a strong connection with the street and the audience. It is more than bank transfers these days. They want to see you on the street.
Hold meetings with them, visit their bars often, you never know the magic 2 bottles of beer can do. I have said it severally that not all Artiste managers can do PR and not all can do artiste management, they are 2 different entities but you would be lucky to have a Wale Applause who can adequately combine both when deem fit.
There is still a lot to be said about Promotions that can’t be said in just one epistle. Hopefully i get to do another write up where i can extensively focus on the channels stated here and more, As much as possible, seeing artiste grow as a brand and as an entity is my passion, in other words PR and artiste Management, i also like to get paid for my passion.
Watch Out for Part 2.. (Leave a comment if you want the part 2 to drop quickly)







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Comments (8)

  • Drop the part 2
  • am an artist,will like to know more about how music industry is,& also tankz for d word of advise
  • Mr wale abeg drop part 2 and 3 sharpaly
      1. Who tell you say d story reach part 3 Oya onbe

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