With this new arrangement Olamide has created
a new precedent for Nigerian music business
structure. Find artistes, groom them, whoever
becomes successful, should be groomed to be
independent, just as long as they can generate
funding for their projects.
This week, a partnership that has birthed
glorious hit songs in Nigeria for the past two
years was restructured. Lil Kesh is no longer
signed to Olamide’s YBNL Records. He is a
free man, who intends to go ahead and set
up his independent record label “ YAGI”.
The news have flowed in, with many unable to see
the genius behind the move. Olamide signed Lil
Kesh in 2014, alongside his friend Viktoh. He
never had the intention of holding Lil Kesh for
life, hence put pen to paper on a two-year deal.
That deal has expired in 2014.
Between his signing and the expiration of his
contract, Lil Kesh has been on a jolly ride through
life, from unknown rapper, to one-hit champion,
to performing all over the world, to label owner.
The young man has taken his chance, creating
dance music via indigenous rap, being a blessing
to his family, and inspiring many others.
Lil Kesh now has to set up his personal record
label, which will operate from his house in Lagos.
That house already has a studio, which is the
prerequisite for creating a record label. The music
has to be constant, and the management on
point. He is still affiliated to Olamide’s YBNL, but
in a management capacity.
On the business side, very few things have
changed. The digital publishing revenue will have
to be rerouted to YAGI, YBNL still gets a
percentage from all earnings, although, they will
have to relinquish a major share of the profits
from his career. Lil Kesh still retains the
mentorship of Olamide, who is reliving his come-up
story with the boy.
In similar manner, Olamide released the album
“YBNL” in 2012, and split with his mentor and
Coded Tunes label boss, ID Cabasa. His personal
venture, has become the powerhouse that YBNL is.
Lil Kesh is running along similar lines, dropping
his debut album “Y.A.G.I”, before setting up his
personal record label.
With this new arrangement Olamide has created a
new precedent for Nigerian music business
structure. Find artistes, groom them. Whoever has
the potential to become successful, should be
groomed to be independent, just as long as they
can generate funding for their projects. This
business plan depends heavily on the artiste
becoming successful within a short period of time.
As far as the love shared between both parties is
concerned, nothing is lost. Lil Kesh is his younger
brother, one whom he has seen blossom right in
front of him. That is pure joy, the kind that
nothing else can bring, (Except a million dollar
alert). Whether Lil Kesh stays or departs is
immaterial. Lil Kesh can set up his side project.
In fact, it is folly for him not to set one up, as a
personal side hustle to bring in extra dough, while
planning for his future. Olamide’s mentorship
and connection would also be of immense value to
such a venture.
Truth is, in whatever form you look at it, in
whatever way the story is being framed and sold,
Lil Kesh and Olamide cannot leave each other.

www.opera.pulse.ng/buzz/lil-kesh-olamide-sets-new-standard-with-new-business-structure-id4966509.html