As the days go by, people are beginning to realize the power of social media, for networking, marketing, campaigns etc. In the last decade, the use of social media has revolutionized the way the public consumes music. A lot of artistes both local and international have ridden on the power of social media to success without needing traditional record labels to push their craft.
Coming down to Nigeria, social media has changed they way music is received by fans, the scope of coverage has expanded beyond geographic boundaries. In the last half of a decade, Nigerian music has witnessed several artistes blow up just by the use of social media, some have even gotten themselves a recording contract.
Here are 6 artistes who blew up on social media and eventually got a record deal.
Mayorkun
Adewale Mayowa Emmanuel better known as Mayorkun had his big music break two years ago when he got signed to Davido’s record label DMW. Many may not know that the ‘Mama’ crooner was an ‘Instagram artiste’ making covers of popular songs as he wishes. Good fortune met him when he decided to make a cover for Davido’s hit song ‘The Money’, a song which featured Olamide. Apparently OBO was impressed by his efforts, got in touch with him and signed him up as one of his first artistes alongside Dremo on the same day. The singer has gone ahead to bag several awards including Headies ‘Rookie of the year’, ‘Next Rated’, in 2016 and 2018 respectively.
Teni
Born Teniola Apata, the singing sensation took the social media route to music fame. Teni of Dr Dolor Entertainment before she got signed was killing it on Instagram with her very dope freestyles and music covers. The jovial singer also splashed humour on some of her songs. Bit by bit she started gaining more momentum as lots of folks got to know her. From being a social media comic and singer she got affiliated to Shizzi’s music imprint where she released a few songs of her own. Eventually her record deal came from Dr Dolor Entertainment. she picked up Headies Awards 2018 ‘Rookie of the year’ award.
Starboy Terri
The singer signed to Wizkid’s Starboy Entertainment is another Instagram success story. Just last year December, Terri made a cover of DJ Jimmy Jatt’s track ‘Oshe’ which had Wizkid on it. Just like every other aspiring artiste he made his cover of the song and tagged as many A list artistes, record labels and producers he could think of. Long story short, Wizkid was drawn to his page, watch his freestyle and liked it. Boom, next thing he is featured on ‘Soco’ and subsequently signed to Starboy officially. He has so far dropped his first single ‘Bia’ under the record label.
Temmie Ovwasa (YBNL Princess)
Temmie became the first lady to be signed to Olamide’s record label YBNL. As the alternate singer and guitarist narrates her first contact with Olamide was through social media Instagram precisely. It so happened that the YBNL boss had visited her page checked out her videos and liked a series of them. DMs were exchanged for a physical meeting and the rest we know is now history. She got signed unto the label back in 2016, she has so far released a couple of singles under the imprint.
Picazo Rhap & Yomi Blaze
These two street rappers had their lives changed for the better earlier this week after Olamide brought them on board YBNL. Picazo had made a viral rap cover to Chinko Ekun’s street hit ‘Able God’, a video which was everywhere on Twitter and Instagram. Everyone seem to have loved his delivery and rap prowess, he was drafted to YBNL in no time. Within 24 hours fortune smiled on Yomi Blaze who is Picazo’s sidekick as he got a recording contract too. He too has been making freestyles and covers to raving songs on the street. The boys have had their first label outing on a new song ‘Juju, Guns & Roses’ with Davolee and Limerick also featured.
The above names are proven success stories from the use of social media to push music. Any up-and-coming artiste
