When it comes to the music industry, focusing on the artist alone often obscures the vast ecosystem required to sustain a successful career, a point emphasised by the speakers at the RegalStone live session. The idea that the person on stage is everything is fundamentally wrong.
Behind every creative talent are numerous professionals working behind the scenes. This essential support system includes agents, managers, lawyers, and auditors who handle the complex business and legal aspects of the industry. The role of creatives is to focus on their art while ensuring they have the right team in place to manage the value chain, connecting them with the people and resources they need.
Professional support is crucial, as the music business now demands scale and global reach. As Director-General of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) Obi Asika noted, you cannot go global without making global deals, and artists require a sophisticated team to get them there.
One of the first steps for any rising artist is to assemble the right team. The complexity of the business means that artists must also learn how to negotiate smart deals around publishing and distribution. A dedicated team provides the leverage and capacity needed to navigate the industry, ensuring the artist is not a victim but a professional entity.
Ultimately, the goal is to see Nigerian talent succeed, and this requires a shift in perspective from focusing solely on the creative to recognising the entire support structure. The advice for anyone on the creative side is clear: assemble the right team.
These professionals can liaise across the value chain, allowing the artist to concentrate on their core strength—their creative output. This holistic view of the industry, where the team is as vital as the talent, is key to unlocking the next level of growth for the Nigerian music space.
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