Just like the game hunter lurking behind the brushes picking out his prey one by one, giant global music label Sony Music has been picking out top Nigerian talents and signing them under the umbrella.
Weeks ago Nigerians woke up to hear of the signing of rapper Ycee to Sony Entertainment Africa in a distribution deal that would see the label overseeing the release of the rapper’s E.P ‘First Wave’.
Today unconfirmed gist made rounds on social media due to a post by Ubi Franklin on Instagram concerning rave of the moment Tekno. We put a call across and this was what he had to say:
L.I.M – Good Morning Mr Ubi.
Ubi – Good Morning
L.I.M – We are hearing rumours concerning Tekno being signed to Sony Music. Can you confirm that for us?
Ubi – Yes it is true but I am not at liberty to comment more on that until the appropriate time. I cannot give you any details.
L.I.M – We have some questions for you Sir.
Ubi – Ok
L.I.M – How does it feel grooming Tekno from the scratch to an internationally recognized artiste that is going to be signed with one of the biggest labels gobally.
Ubi – Life is great. Once you have the grace of God in you and you put passion in what you do, anything you lay hands on will be successful. I believe that God has blessed me so much at my age and I appreciate it. Building an artiste to international value takes grace. We cannot do anything on our own. But when you have the grace, the grace leads you to hard work. You have to put in hard work, sleepless nights and heartbreaks. You put your best in all. With music comes happiness so you have to first create a happy environment for that music to come. And when that music is coming on a regular, you have no choice but to become an international star.
L.I.M – Can you tell us the structure of the deal? Is it a full record deal, what’s the partnership between Triple MG and…..
Ubi – The truth is for now, I can’t disclose that…I’ll definitely say it much later when all the pros and cons and everything is ready.
L.I.M – Ok but how soon is the deal going to be signed?
Ubi – Well as soon as possible?
L.I.M – Like today or tomorrow?
Ubi – No no no…well we are all in Nigeria. Whatever happens…anytime you see me say I’m in New York, just know that we are about to do something
L.I.M – Triple MG doesn’t have a female artiste. Do you plan on signing a female artiste to the label?
Ubi – Honestly right now I want to develop what I have in here. You can’t bite more than you can chew. There’s Tekno doing very well by God’s grace, there’s Selebobo, there’s Chips.. so I can’t go past my capacity. So for now let me just pray. With time we would fix other things that needs to be done
L.I.M – There were stories about you having signed Tonye, what happened?
Ubi – Nothing happened. I don’t want to comment on that right now
L.I.M – Finally how soon are we expecting an album from Alhaji Tekno as he has done so well musically and everyone is eager and waiting on an album from him
Ubi – We are definitely dropping his album first quarter of next year. The album is ready.
L.I.M – What is the title of the album..…
Ubi – (cuts in) We don’t have a title yet….Let me tell you the type of person Tekno is…Tekno is a perfectionist. He’s one of those guys…I always say that there are some experiences we all as label owners face with artistes but Tekno makes you feel that these challenges are just a process….he is too talented that you don’t read those challenges as challenges. When you are facing a challenge and after facing the challenge, the next thing that hits you is…wow look at what this guy just gave me. There times that after challenges, he gives you music that makes you feel like nothing like a challenge occurred. And when I signed him, he told me something. He said ‘Baba I would make you money don’t worry’. And his talent is one thing that is very very exceptional, he has an exceptional talent. He can do everything musically, he plays all the music instruments, he can produce, he can write, he writes all his songs. I always say to people, let Tekno be who Tekno is. The day he stops being who he is, it would affect his music. When you see Tekno doing all you see him doing on social media, that is what makes him happy, that’s what makes him tick, that’s what helps his creativity. So you just have to love him the way he is. And I thank the whole world…fans and all. They are good listeners. Thanks for always supporting his music and always putting him out there. He is one talented artiste who takes the opportunity God has given him to showcase what he has and turn it into gold hence making it easy for you as the label owner/manager to rock his boat.
L.I.M – Ok thanks so much for your time Sir.
Ubi – You are welcome
