The music industry in Nigeria is a brutal jungle.

Despite the size of the Nigerian audience, there is a lack of organization that can render even the most complex strategies ineffective.

Producers are attempting to take your tunes, OAPs are attempting to steal your money, and label executives are attempting to steal your life at every opportunity.
Planning and timing might be the difference between "blowing out" and wallowing in the C-list for new musicians seeking to break out and claim some success.

Here are a few basic pointers to assist you advance your profession as a budding musician.

(1) CREATE A BRAND: As soon as you start recording music to sell to an audience, you must realize that you are no longer just a person.
You are viewed as a brand by the audience, and all of your work is viewed as a product. As a result, you must create a brand identity and image that is consistent with the type of music you produce and how you want to be perceived as an artist.

Adekunle Gold is an artist who has built a consistent brand image around his combination of current highlife, juju, and folk music.

(2) CREATE A WEBSITE: Your website is an extension of you as an artist and a brand in today's digital world. Unfortunately, most artists regard it as a harmless diversion, something to do when they have money.
A website provides a platform for you to share your music and keep your fans informed. For as little as 30,000 naira, you can create a website where you can share exclusive content and, over time, develop relationships and a core fan base.

Build one and build it well. Your website is also where you will sell your market; merchandise, albums, tickets, and more.

(3) GET INTERVIEWED: When people connect with the artist, they are more likely to connect with the song. Interviews provide you a chance to tell your narrative and endear yourself to fans and anyone else who chooses to listen, watch, or read what you have to say.

Take every interview opportunity by the horns. It's not enough to just state your name and where you got your start.

Tell the interviewer about the times you worked as a Gala salesperson. Every interview is significant. If you open yourself up to the audience, they will do the same.

(4) COLLABORATE WITH OTHER ARTISTES: It's crucial to jump on as many songs as possible while you're just starting out as an artist. Here's why: every artist has a fan following you can tap into, and collaborating with them exposes your music to a new audience.

It also helps you improve as an artist by pushing your imagination. You must, however, exercise caution; some collaborations will cause more harm than good, and you must avoid them at all costs.

In all other cases, add a hook or a verse to the song and broaden your audience.

(5) DO YOUR HOMEWORK: The music industry is a sophisticated structure hidden behind the glamour and cramped studios. You owe it to yourself as a budding artist to study everything.

Learn about musicians, contracts, and record companies by reading about them, seeing interviews and documentaries, and keeping up with the news.
Before you sign a contract that turns you into a glorified houseboy with no control over your career, learn the fine print and how the industry works.

(6) MAKE USE OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS: As a new artist, your family and friends serve as your initial fan base, record label, A&R, and managers.
If you see that yuppy uncle, tell him about your new song and ask what he thinks.

Share your work with your pals as well, and lean on them for help and guidance when you need it.

(7) GET RID OF OPENING ACT SYNDROME: Opening for other artists can be extremely difficult, especially if you believe you deserve more, but as a rising artist, you must be willing to kill your ego before it kills you.

Open for bigger artists, and others will open for you as time goes on. The opportunity to perform in front of an audience and share your work is what important.

Everyone has to start somewhere, and it is your responsibility to work your way up until you are the main attraction.

(8) FAMZ EVERYONE: If you want to have a great job, the relationships you form will play a significant role.

You need powerful and prominent people in your corner who believe in you and your concept because you can't afford to pay your way through every door.
So go out to those who can assist you, scratch backs when necessary, and famz every OAP, blogger, influencer, or critic you know.

(9) PUT YOU MUSIC ON STREAMING PLATFORMS: One of the most common myths in Nigerian music is that musicians do not make money from streaming. The shills who peddle this deception will tell you that your best bet is to hope for concerts and endorsements.


Nigerian artists have gained millions of dollars from streaming songs online in the last year. M.I said on that now-famous episode of the Loose Talk Podcast that his third studio album, "Chairman," had grossed over $120,000 from iTunes alone.

Put your music on every streaming service you can find. You won't make as much money as M.I right away, but that kobo-kobo change can turn into a flood of wealth.

(10) NEVER LOSE SIGHT OF YOUR GOAL: It's easy to become distracted as you grow more familiar with the music industry and all of its gimmicks.

Many careers have been cut short because artists get caught up in the vices that creatives are prone to. As a budding artist, keep in mind that everything you do is a reflection of your art and profession.

Keep our sights set on the prize.

HOLLUP. We aren't finished yet.

PATIENCE: While following these ten stages can help you get closer to success, none of it will matter if the artist lacks patience. It can take years, if not a decade, to develop into a full-fledged celebrity.

Despite all of the failures and problems that are sure to come your way, the artist must be patient enough to remain hungry and consistent.

One song, or even two albums, is unlikely to suffice. So sit down, work diligently, and be humble.