In this interview, Joseph Abiagom, President of Label and Publishing at Aristokrat Group, discusses the recently concluded Nigerian Music Industry Conference and Aristokrat’s dedication to fostering knowledge within the industry with Anthony Udugba.
Your resume mentions signing artists to the record label and publishing arms of Aristokrat Group. How do you identify and scout new talent for the label?
The process is simple. First, be passionate about music. You need to love it and live it. Be passionate about the artist and their artistry. Then, you need to have a great listening ear. You need to understand the current sound today and where it is headed. You need to have eyes and ears on the streets. Then, more importantly, you need to find the right individual—an undeniable talent ready to work and learn. You need to see their vision and guide them there.
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You have worked with some major Afrobeats artists. What was it like managing and developing the careers of artists like Kel P, Seyi Shay, and Wande Coal?
Working with these incredibly talented artists, especially during my early days as an A&R rep, was a privilege. I collaborated with them and their teams, ensured songs were created, and deadlines met and connected them with the right artists or producers to elevate their sound. Witnessing their artistry firsthand and being a part of their creative journey was a fantastic learning experience.
You have climbed the ranks at Aristokrat Group from A&R Director to President. What was the biggest challenge you faced in this transition?
I’ve always been focused on the next challenge. There have been plenty, of course, but I don’t dwell on them. Putting on this conference was challenging, but seeing it come together successfully was very rewarding.
One specific challenge that stands out involved an artist selected for Spotify’s Radar program. To celebrate Tiwa Savage’s first album turning 10, Spotify wanted our artist Ria Sean to do a tribute rendition. With only a week’s notice, we had to record, mix, and master the song, clear it with everyone involved – Tiwa Savage’s new team, her old label, and the producers – all before the deadline. It pushed my network, team, and A&R skills to the limit, but seeing it come through was a great feeling.
The recent Nigerian Music Industry Communication Conference seems to have been a success. What led Aristokrat Group to co-host this event with Pan-Atlantic University?
We had a few goals in mind. We wanted to showcase the breadth of the music industry—it goes far beyond just the artists themselves. There are lawyers, A&R professionals, managers—a whole ecosystem of talented people making things happen. We were eager to learn from academia and gain insights from researchers studying the industry today. The conference provided a platform for academics and industry professionals to come together.
Securing big names like Sony West Africa and Mavin Records must have been challenging. How did you manage to pull it off?
Strong relationships are key. We’ve built trust with these individuals over time, and they believed in the conference’s vision. I’m incredibly grateful to every panellist who took the time to share their knowledge with the students. And, of course, having Piriye Isokrari, the founder of Aristokrat Records, on board was crucial.
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The positive feedback suggests a strong need for such events. Will the conference become an annual fixture?
Absolutely! And we’ll keep improving it year after year.
Is the conference the only way Aristokrat bridges the knowledge gap?
Not at all. We’ve been running the Openhouse initiative for years now. It’s a music ecosystem development program that educates aspiring artists, A&R professionals, and music lawyers. We have an online program led by top executives and a two-week intensive camp in Port Harcourt focused on music creation and release. It’s a fantastic platform, and many talented artists and producers have come through it, including KOLD AF, KAEY, Zichy, and the songwriter Jacob Hunter, who has penned tracks for artists like Oxlade, Davido, and Crayon, among others.
