Over the years, some entertainers have been involved in mentoring young talents. Asides giving them platforms to thrive in their chosen careers, the mentors have also been able to maintain relevance in their careers. Saturday Beats takes a look at some of the entertainer mentors and their mentees
Ali Baba
Comedian and actor, Atunyota Akpobome, aka Ali Baba, is known as the king of stand-up comedy in Nigeria. He nurtured the trade to become a profession, which is now a pathway for others to thrive and make names for themselves. Many comedians often give credit to the funny man and businessman for making the profession attractive and profitable for others.
One of his mentees, Ayo Makun, aka AY, often gives credit to Ali Baba for giving him a path to excel in his chosen field. On Ali Baba’s birthday on June 16, 2021, AY said he would not get tired of letting the world know that Ali Baba helped him in his career. He said, “Everyone knows that there is no AY today without Ali Baba. I can’t get tired of letting the world know how you find fulfilment in helping others light their candles. What you must know on this anniversary is that no one does it like you. There are several mentors in the world, but you alone have the magic wand. You deserve all the glory in the world. You’ve built for yourself a legacy that can never be destroyed.”
Similarly, in an interview with The PUNCH in June 2022, a comedian, Iledia Samson, aka Igos, appreciated Ali Baba for mentoring and accommodating him in his house. He said, “Living in Ali Baba’s house was quite an experience. I learnt how to be a professional comedian from him. It is one thing to be gifted and it is another thing to develop one’s gift. One of the things I learnt from him is that one does not have to be insulting to be funny.”
Don Jazzy
Michael Ajere, aka Don Jazzy, is the Chief Executive Officer of Mavin Records. He was also the boss of Mo’Hits Records, which was founded in 2004 and was dissolved in 2012. Some of the artists whose careers have been influenced by Don Jazzy include D’banj, Tiwa Savage, Wande Coal, Rema, Ladipoe, Ayra Starr, Korede Bello, Reekado Banks, Dr Sid, Crayon and Johnny Drille.
It is paramount to note that some of these artists have often spoken about their love for Don Jazzy and how he has influenced their careers immensely.
Ayra Starr, in an interview with Clout Africa in November 2021, said she loved working around Don Jazzy because “his energy inspires me to write more songs.” Also, Rema talked about how Don Jazzy mentored him in the music business in an interview with This Age in April 2022.
Rema said, “Musically, I gained advice from Don Jazzy. Industry-wise, I gained advice from Don Jazzy, but that picture speaks a lot. Aside from music, Don Jazzy teaches me business. Not a lot of label bosses teach the artist that. But when they find the right minds, they share. I’m not saying I know everything that Don Jazzy knows, I’m just saying slowly, Don Jazzy is walking me through the business.”
Davido
Singer, David Adeleke, aka Davido, is not only a philanthropist, he is one entertainer who has made a name for himself in the industry and has carried some people along too. He is the boss of Davido Music Worldwide, aka DMW, a record label that has promoted some artists, including Peruzzi, Mayorkun, Idowest, Yonda, Dremo and Liya.
On Apple Music Radio in April, 2021, Peruzzi talked about how Davido inspired him. He said, “I lived with David for two years, and I can tell you he doesn’t sleep. Me meeting Davido, thinking ‘okay, this guy has already achieved now, he’s supposed to play and supposed to chill,’ and then he is in the studio till 7am or 6am. I just knew that the higher one goes, the more one has to give. And that’s what drives me till today.”
Mayorkun also admitted that DMW was the platform he needed to push his music career. In an interview with Blueprint in February 2019, Mayorkun said, “To be honest, the platform has helped my music in many ways. I could have dropped my first song from my house and maybe nobody would know about it. The DMW platform gave the right push and here I am today, even granting an interview.”
Olamide
Singer, Olamide Adedeji, aka Olamide, is the boss at YBNL Nation, a record label known to have groomed talents like Adekunle Gold, Fireboy, Lil Kesh, Lyta, Viktoh, Asake and Temmi Ovwasa.
Adekunle Gold has often given credit to Olamide for supporting his career and also being a good example with his work ethics. In a chat with Showtime in September 2015, Adekunle Gold said, “I’ve been signed to YBNL for about eight months now. And I can tell you that Olamide is an amazing and hardworking young man. And I totally love his work ethics.”
Similarly, Fireboy corroborated Adekunle Gold’s claim on Olamide’s leadership skills during an interview with Apple Music in August 2020. He said, “Olamide is such a man. He’s a businessman, father figure and principled. Sometimes his presence is just enough. Sometimes, it’s just a few words he has to say to calm me down. He knows the right words to say. He knows when he’s needed and when he just needs to be in the background.
“Right from the beginning, he has always made it clear that, ‘You know what? I’m not just a CEO, I’m also your business partner’. That mentality has been with me from way back when we just started. He’s shaping me. He’s my mentor. He’s shaping me to become someone of worth in the industry. He’s a very cool-headed person, straightforward, very honest, he doesn’t talk too much and is easygoing, and he respects people a lot.”
Banky W
Singer and actor, Olubankole Wellington, aka Banky W, is the boss at Empire Mates Entertainment, a company he co-founded with Tunde Demuren in 2002. In its heyday, the company had talents such as Wizkid, Skales, Niyola, Shaydee and DJ Xclusive, who was its official disc jockey.
Wizkid’s hit song in 2010, ‘Holla at your boy’, was released under EME. The success story of the afrobeats singer will not be complete without mentioning Banky W. During the 12th Annual Kennis Music Festival in 2010, Banky W introduced Skales and Wizkid to the audience as his retirement plan. He said, “I have two artists I want to introduce to you. I call them my retirement plan. What I want to do tonight is to give you a preview of why they are my retirement plan.”
After he introduced both artists, they did‘freestyle’ of their songs to the excitement of their audience. Speaking on Ionwannatalk podcast, Skales said what Banky W meant (by him and Wizkid being his retirement plan) was that he (Banky W) made “a positive investment by signing both of us.”
In 2020, Wizkid appreciated his former boss, Banky W, on his Instagram story shortly after releasing the music video for his single ‘Smile’ featuring H.E.R. He posted a photo of Banky W and Tunde Demuren with the caption, ‘Thank you to these guys for changing my life! Banky Wellington, Captain Demuren, EME forever!’
Wizkid
Afrobeats singer, Ayo Balogun, aka Wizkid, is the owner of the record label, Star Boy Entertainment. Over the years, he has supported the growth of several artists. Artists whose works are associated with Star Boy Entertainment include L.A.X, Legendary Beats, Maleek Berry, Terri and Efya.
In an interview with The PUNCH in February 2021, Terri said he had great admiration for Wizkid. He said, “Yes, Wizkid has always inspired my music. He has been a great inspiration to me. From the days of his little beginning, I have always admired his style. Wizkid gave me every reason to love him and I still do.
“(When I first met Wizkid), it was an amazing moment for me. Wizkid could even tell because I could not help myself with the emotions I felt. It was like a dream come true for me. It was so great. We have been enjoying a good relationship, but he scolds me at times like a brother. It is 100 per cent love from him. He has a lot of experience with music, both at home and abroad, and he usually puts me through. He has been everywhere that I aim to be, so I am enjoying the experience of having this relationship with him at this point in my career.”
Also, Mr Eazi described Wizkid as his mentor while wishing him a happy birthday on July 16, 2017. He wrote, “Happy birthday to one of Africa’s biggest exports, my friend, brother and mentor! More life! Star boy worldwide.”
Ayo Makun
Comedian and actor, Ayo Makun, aka AY, has helped to promote the careers of some comedians with his AY Open Mic comedy competition. The previous winners of the competition include Akpororo, MC Acapella, Emeka Smith, MC Shakara, Elenu, Seyi Law, Pencil, Ajebo, Benji D’Joke and Eboh Bomb.
He also used his comedy show, AY Live, to promote the careers of the winners of the competition. In an interview with Aijay Reports in April 2013, Benji D’ Joke said, “I love AY for his creativity in the industry. He has given comedians another platform where millions of people can be hosted because of comedy.”
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