Ayo Animashaun: A Force At 40

By Efe Omorogbe

It was the magazine we all dreamed of publishing but never got around to working towards, seriously. It was 1995 and Folu who would later drop out of the group X-Appeal before they made it to the limelight, brought a copy of this new magazine called Hip-hop World to my room in Fagunwa Hall, University of Lagos. It had Michael Jackson on the cover. Yes, the Michael Jackson. Plus Soul 4 Real and Brandy, stories about local and international artistes and yes! lyrics. Lyrics to loads and loads of everybody’s favourite songs.

When months later I met the young publisher, he made a huge impression. The force of his character and intensity of his passion were infectious. So infectious that after graduation, I joined the team and as great mind after great mind came and went, we built an awesome force of a magazine. AY as we love to call him, built a brand so dominant, it could afford to, albeit inadvertently, be off the stands for one whole year and command the same level of excitement in the readers- better still, followers- on return. Time and again.

Ayo Animashaun is an enigma, an intriguing blend of passion, persistence, vision, creativity and courage. A guy you don’t have to always agree with. Someone you don’t even necessarily have to like but one you will eventually come to respect. Ayo edited and published the most respected music magazine without necessarily being the most colourful writer or the deepest Hip-hop head. He got his point across with crystal clarity without necessarily needing to deploy the most rousing of speeches. With a sharp eye for talent and an uncanny ability to impose his will on the system, Ayo simply gets the job.

As we celebrate an outstanding achiever at 40, I look at Ayo Animashaun and see a friend, a boss, a visionary, a successful businessman, an authentic entertainment industry icon and perhaps, more importantly, an inspiration. Yes boss! An inspiration to every talented, determined and driven young Nigerian who has ever dared to dream. His groundbreaking strides are proof that it can be done, even in Naija, especially in Naija! For even though we are likely to disagree over minute details on some pursuit in a couple of days from now, what he has more than earned over the 14 short years since I’ve known him are probably the best things I have to give – my love, respect and admiration.

So people, raise your glasses, shake your asses, dance and make merry, an icon is 40 and he’s our very own buddy! Congrats bro. I figure all of this was only the warm up, that you’re just getting started- and I’ve never been wrong about you.

–Ayo Animashaun clocks 40 on Wednesday March 17.

–Efe Omorogbe is the CEO and founder of Now Muzik, a Lagos-based entertainment solutions company