So many Nigerian Musicians be it established or upcoming use brands that had not paid them a dime in their music videos. These may be Cars, Foot wears, Cloths, Mobile Devices, Sun glasses, Champagne, Liquor and other forms of Spirits or Beverages and so on.

That’s cheap publicity, unethical and shows these artists/musicians are not enlightened and are bunch of illiterate. Its no doubt an added advantage for those companies as their brand gets more exposure. Never under-estimate the power of such publicity most especially in Music Videos or Movies.

Its quite unfortunate that while we fight piracy we ourselves are pirates. You pop a champagne brand, drink alcohol, use car brands, even cloths by popular designers etc in a Music Video when these companies don’t even play any role in your production and so on.

You put their products on the TV screens (Local & International) for free when they should be looking out to create that awareness through you as a competitive advantage while you also get paid or get endorsed and also grow in your music career or be it movie production career.

Alas!!! Do you know you can also have a negative impact on their brands and market if your kinda song or movie for example does not conform with the company’s business policy and also mission statement? Then you may get sued for damaging their brand.

Nigerian entertainers need be more proactive. Its not all about Alaba piracy etc. Read more about copyright laws, get yourselves quality lawyers, don’t jump into signing contracts with companies because that cheque of N80m is staring at you. You may be signing a deal that’ll turn you upside up. Take a time out to consult your Lawyer (s), read through contracts and so on and be detailed with salient points.

There is more to MUSIC……..

Finally, are your managers as Artists actually knowledgeable on events or activities that can help shapen your career? Or just an errand boy that buys you food, book Hotel rooms etc?

Your Manager as an Artist is your Managing Director, you are the CEO while your name is your BRAND. Your song is the PRODUCT/SERVICE, and your fans are the CONSUMERS/CUSTOMERS.

My Question; As an artist do you think you stand the chance of competing with other World Class Brands? Do you see yourself as a World Class Brand?

Finally, What’s in a Brand Name? What is in your stage name? How unique is it and what does it stand for? For example; NIKE – Just Do It. We have so many more out there too. Does your stage name as an artist mean anything motivating, inspirational or even competitive in today’s world music industry?

As a Musician; you are a corporation. A corporation of music and you need a workforce. A workforce as other corporations out there. All departments well represented with experienced hands. You can’t go it alone. You are a corporation …………………act like one.

Naija Artist!!!!!!! Before you shoot that Music Video……………………Read This.