Esikomumu Rume Benjamin, C.E.O of Takers
Records, best known as CEO or TAKERS. CEO -stands for creating every
opportunity, TAKERS is like a drive to push me to do more, in this
interview with Olayemi Esan talks about what it takes to start a record
label in Nigeria. In this interview, he talks about the state of the
Nigerian music industry and working with upcoming Nigerian artistes.
Read the excepts:
Pye: What does it take to start a record label in Nigeria?
Takers: to start a record label in
Nigeria is quite simple and easy, Know and understand the kind of genre
of music you would want to produce, the cost for startup associated with
production and administrative cost. You also need the assistance of a
professional service, a lawyer who specializes in the music business
that will be in charge of writing legal documents. Create your team: a
good marketer and promoter is a very vital agent, the producer in charge
of production, graphic designer, a good sound engineer, legal attorney.
Search for the talents, that is your artist and most importantly find
out if there have been signed to avoid misunderstandings. Establish your
brand: get your desired logo, company accreditation from CAC and also
grow your fan base
Takers: I already have two signed artites under my label, that is TAKERS RECORDS
Pye: How do your Artistes Conduct Themselves on Social Media?
Takers: My artist behave according to
our legal binding contract and also do their best to promote the brand
and their selves. We are working so hard to stay relevant in the music
industry and also do more collaborations in future with other labels and
artist
Pye: Nigerian Artistes and Labels Working Together and Bridging the Gap, tell us about it?
Takers: Before, there are lots of
stereotypes about what Americans perceive Africans to be, but not
anymore because, Nigerian music is now leading and competing with world
wide music making. Though, some Americans think Africans are either very
poor or very rich… what we are trying to do is basically let them know
that there are huge opportunities here (in Africa), you do have fans
here, and there is also an opportunity for us to build our fan base in
the USA.
Pye: Tell us about Artistes Erratic Behaviour in Nigeria’s Music Market?
Takers: I do not think that it is about the music
industry per se. It is a cultural problem across Nigeria…the whole
lawlessness. Lawlessness is wide spread and people think that they can
always get away with things. It is a cultural issue beyond music… there
is lawlessness, there is lack of professionalism, there is lack of
ethics, people think it is just about now. How much can I get right now,
not looking at the future. We have a lot of work to do.
Pye: What are we expecting from your record label soon?
Takers: Expect something new, exciting, refreshing
and amazing musics from TAKERS RECORD, my artists are seriously working
on it. No single dropping soon just stay tuned for updates (LAUGHED)
Pye: What else do you do apart from owning a Record Label?
Takers: I am also the Chief Executive Officer of Esimarine oil and gas company and also a crypto currency & fx trader
Pye: How do you relax?
Takers: I am an Urhobo man from Delta State and i
love to travel and explore, but i relax watching football,in fact, I am a
good fan of Chelsea FC.
