Nigeria’s Temple Management Company announced last Friday its joint business relationship with Jay-Z’ Roc Nation to form ‘Temple Music Limited.’ Temple is barely a year old but has been strategically positioning itself, it appears, to corner a large market share of Nigeria’s music management business. Congratulations to Temple. You get to read their statement below but I know many of you will ask my opinion on the move, if I don’t spill it now. So here it goes.
In my view, I am not sure there is anything special or novel per se about the deal. This is because it appears many of Nigeria’s leading entertainment firms and individuals are either already in bed doing business with Roc Nation, or brokering some form of a deal to get in bed with Roc Nation and/or Tidal. Examples include Don Jazzy’s Mavin Records, Audu Maikori’s Chocolate City, Obi Asika’s Cabal Entertainment, and Paul Okoye’s Up Front and Personal.
I am also unsure why the headline for the press statement is couched as both partners launching a music label when the body of the statement is unclear as to that fact. From the press statement, it appears TMC is launching a music label, a natural extension of its management company, and then have entered into a separate distribution deal with Roc Nation. This means the companies are completely independent of each other. However, the headline reads as if they are actually in some sort of joint venture deal to form TMC.
I have also said in prior times that I believe Jay-Z and his companies are more the beneficiaries of majority of these deals even though I do not know the finite details of the deals. This is because every move by Jay-Z has been purposeful since he sent his cousin some years back to Nigeria to scout, engage in dialogue and set up shop in the country. Jay-Z has acquired Nigerian content and entered into management, publishing, and global distribution deals with some of these local brands for his companies (Tidal and Roc Nation). He also has a Roc Nation Africa set up, albeit it seems they are working out the kinks before a formal public introduction. Indeed, he is not a “business man.” He is a business, man. So, again, I don’t think TMC’s move is per se novel.
However, what I think will be unique and the difference maker will be to see what comes out of these deals. How does it truly mutually benefit the groups in business together, and what impact if any does it have on Nigeria and Africa’s music ecosystem? I think there are some rather interesting times ahead. I am particualrly paying close attention to the music touring/events production sector. Nigerian artists are performing to sold out venues around the globe, and the competition for event production, and touring income is becoming fiercer. I am interested in what Roc Nation does in the event production space as it relates to Nigerian artists. I also will have to break down Roc Nation’s infrastructure one of these days on the blog since every Nigerian media company and artist seems to be brokering a deal with the company so you all are in the know of the company’s layout.
In the mean time, let’s see what becomes of this deal.
-Ms. Uduak
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Press statement from TMC
THE TEMPLE MANAGEMENT COMPANY AND ROC NATION JOIN FORCES, LAUNCH TEMPLE MUSIC. (TMPL)
The Temple Management Company (TMC) is proud to announce the launch of its sister company – Temple Music Limited (TMPL). TMPL is established for the development, production, promotion and distribution of African talent to the world.
As a Management Company, TMC has made its mark in West, East and South Africa through the offices in Nairobi, Kenya and partnership with Johannesburg-based, urban digital platform Touch HD. Its newest addition, Temple Music, is a boost for the music industry in Africa.
Six pioneer acts have been signed to Temple Music and they are singers 9ice – the Gongo Aso and Living Things crooner, veteran Disc jockey, DJ Jimmy Jatt, MTN Project Fame winner, Jeff Akoh, Big Brother Naija 2017’s runner up Bisola Aiyeola, US-based singer, Chris Akinyemi and Producer, Aaron Monroe also Known as Mr Labz, award-winning producer Tee-Y Mix and Adey, one of the hottest producers around.
Temple Music offers a sneak peek into what this new record label has to offer, with the release of the hot new single, “Water + Fire” produced by Tee-Y Mix and vocals by Jeff and Bisola.
Along with the launch of TMPL, Temple Music is also proud to announce a partnership with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation for global distribution of all Temple Music releases.
Starting off this union is Jeff Akoh, who will be releasing a debut album, Lokoja, on October 27th via Temple Music/Roc Nation. This genre bending body of work features production from Tee-Y Mix, Cobhams Asuquo, Team Salut and DJ Coulbon, amongst others. This album is for anybody who loves good music.
The Group Chief Executive of Temple, Idris Olorunnimbe, said this announcement was a watershed in the history of music in Africa. “With the launch of Temple Music, we are now positioned as a uniquely Pan-African label,” he said. “We will coordinate releases to synchronise in unison from Lagos to Lesotho and from Nairobi to Niamey.”
Also speaking his voice, Group Chairman, Mr. Tunde Folawiyo, “Today marks another logical and major step in the journey we began approximately two years ago. Our declared mission to champion excellence for the benefit of our clients (the Temple family) is in its infancy and we strongly believe that with the love and support of our stakeholders across our great continent, success will be ours.”
Tbo Touch, CEO of Touch HD and Managing Director of Temple South Africa said he was very excited for the opportunities of a “borderless Africa.”
“I am excited to be part of a movement that is borderless and that exports Africa’s best talents to the world,” Touch said. “The world is about to experience a new superpower.”
Troy White, Managing Director of Temple East Africa called the launch a huge boost to the creative space in Africa. “This is something we have been excited about for a long time,” he said. “We have joined forces with Roc Nation who are already doing it big and we will keep pushing to make beautiful music.”
TMC is ready to begin a new journey through TMPL by delivering the best of Africa to the rest of the world. We are Temple. We are the movement!
Instagram: @TemplecoMusic
Twitter: @TemplecoMusic
Twitter: @thetempleco
Instagram: @thetemplecompany
www.thetemplecompany.com