By Dimeji Ogedengbe
If the information at our reach is anything to go by, one of America’s most respected record labels Motown Records may be rounding up plans to open shop in Nigeria in a matter of months.
We gathered that a mid-size commercial law firm in SouthWest, Ikoyi, Lagos has been contracted to handle necessary legal agreements that will enhance a smooth entry and operation of the label in the country. An insider who withheld details says he obtained the information in confidence and that if all goes well, the label will be settling down in Nigeria soon.
‘I can’t tell you anything more because the law firm might have signed a confidentiality agreement with Motown and breaching it won’t be good for them‘, the source tells Nigerian Entertainment Today (NET).
Motown is a record label that was originally founded by Berry Gordy, Jr. and incorporated as Motown Record Corporation in Detroit, Michigan, USA, on April 14, 1960.
Nigeria is home to the fastest-growing music ‘industry’ on the African continent. And, at a time when global record sales are dwindling and major labels are closing down; music business in the West-African country appears set for further boom. Top industry sources told us early this week, that several US labels are hoping to return to Nigeria where physical album sales and concert patronage remains impressive, compared to the US and Europe. The big problem remains piracy, and the lack of a decent e-commerce structure compatible with global systems.
And the coming of these labels, pundits say, is ironical – as this is the very time top Nigerian acts are hoping to take their art abroad to Europe and the US. Dbanj, one of the leaders of the new school of Nigerian artistes, is getting set for his US debut. R&B path-finder Darey has already concluded plans for a UK release that’ll begin in June. 2face Idibia, a pop icon in his own right in Africa, also has his eyes in Europe and America; and his managers are working day-and-night to ensure he penetrates the system.
Would the coming of these labels make it easier for homeboys to cross over? Some pundits say yes; saying it’ll bring back the system that was in place in the 60s and 70s. Others think it may not necessarily help open doors to the international markets for Nigerian acts; believing the labels might only operate as independent Nigerian labels, doing business within the Nigerian space without any necessary direct exchanges with their parent outfits.
Time will tell. And we’re waiting…