5 iconic artist-manager moments in Nigerian music

Here are 5 iconic artist-manager moments that shaped Nigerian music history.

In the fast-paced and sometimes tough world of Nigerian music, artist-manager relationships are often tested by fame, money, pride, and constant pressure from fans and record labels, creating some of the most iconic moments in the industry.

While some partnerships crash and burn spectacularly, others stand as testaments to loyalty, strategy, and friendship. Over the years, we’ve witnessed moments that go beyond business, instances where managers became family, friends turned partners, and history was made in the most personal ways.

From Davido and Asa Asika’s brotherly bond to other unforgettable pairings, here are 5 iconic artist-manager moments in Nigerian music that prove success is sweeter when shared.

1. Davido as Best Man at Asa Asika’s wedding (May 2025)Perhaps the most talked-about moment this year, Davido standing as best man at his longtime manager Asa Asika’s wedding on May 17, 2025, was a beautiful reminder of brotherhood beyond business. The duo, who have worked together for 14 years, have weathered industry storms, personal losses, and global successes.

During his heartfelt speech, Davido got emotional, recounting how Asa believed in his vision when few did and how their friendship blossomed into an unbreakable partnership. The wedding wasn’t just a celebrity event, it was a celebration of loyalty in an industry where relationships often crumble under pressure.

Davido gets emotional while delivering speech at Asa Asika’s wedding ♥️pic.twitter.com/MmFl3nsMtr

— NOTJUSTOK (@NOTJUSTOK) May 17, 2025 2. Wizkid and Jada Pollock: The Essence breakthrough momentWhile Sunday Are played a critical role in Wizkid’s early career, it’s Jada Pollock (Jada P) who has managed Wizkid’s brand into international superstardom since around 2015. She masterminded major collaborations like Come Closer with Drake and Essence with Tems, guiding his strategic global expansion.

A defining moment in their partnership came with the international smash hit Essence featuring Tems. Under Jada’s expert management, the song became the first Nigerian track to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned a Grammy nomination, marking a historic breakthrough for Afrobeats on the world stage.

Beyond the boardroom, Wizkid and Jada share a strong personal bond. They are partners with three children together. Remarkably, their relationship as lovers and co-parents has not only remained private but also seemingly strengthened their professional collaboration, proving that love and business can thrive side by side in the high-pressure music industry.

“The narrative isn’t seen as you’re an entrepreneur, hardworking, businesswoman. I’m titled as Wizkid’s baby mother. Not only am i a mother but i’m a manager as well and I’ve helped to build a legacy…”

– Jada P pic.twitter.com/yGmDahfAq4

— Audio Billonaire🔥🇺🇸 (@_DannyMerry) December 20, 2024 3. Burna Boy and Bose Ogulu winning the Grammy together (2021)In a rare and powerful manager-artist dynamic, Burna Boy’s mother, Bose Ogulu, doubles as his manager. When Burna clinched the Best Global Music Album Grammy in 2021, the viral moment wasn’t just his triumphant acceptance speech, it was Mama Burna standing beside him, reflecting years of hard work, strategic management, and maternal protection.

From navigating controversies to securing major deals and international collaborations, Bose Ogulu’s hands-on management style has played a pivotal role in Burna’s ascent to global stardom.

Why it matters:
It showcased the unique blend of maternal care and business savvy, highlighting how unconventional management dynamics can still yield international acclaim.

4. Olamide and Alex Okeke’s lowkey management winsWhile Olamide often takes the spotlight as an independent-minded artist who built YBNL from the ground up, his longtime associate and manager Alex Okeke has quietly steered the business side of things. A key moment was in 2019, when Olamide secured multiple international distribution deals while still maintaining control over YBNL’s operations, a feat Okeke helped orchestrate.

They’ve managed to avoid public drama while sustaining a brand that nurtured stars like Fireboy DML and Asake. Their behind-the-scenes collaboration proves you don’t need loud declarations for an artist-manager relationship to be successful.

Alex Okeke
Alexander Okeke, well known as Ikemefuna 1, he is the YBNL in house A&R head, talent and business manager.

He is also Olamide’s manager. pic.twitter.com/D64NQyVuXj

— Afrobeat Philosophy (@Afrophilosophy_) August 23, 2023 5. Tems and Muyiwa Awoniyi’s Grammy triumphTems and her manager, Muyiwa Awoniyi, have built a remarkable partnership rooted in mutual respect and shared vision. A standout moment in their journey was the unexpected collaboration on Future’s track Wait for U, which sampled Tems’ song Higher. While on a Coca-Cola shoot, Awoniyi received a request from Epic Records for the sample clearance. The track, featuring Drake and Future, went on to debut at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned Tems her first Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance.

🚨 Tems’ manager, Donawon talking about how the Future & Drake collab on “Wait For U” happened: pic.twitter.com/YKC2effWL0

— 𝗔𝗟𝗕𝗨𝗠 𝗧𝗔𝗟𝗞𝗦 📀 (@AlbumTalksHQ) November 5, 2024 Meanwhile, the Nigerian music scene is built on stories of ambition, hustle, and resilience with artist-manager moments that shape the industry. At the heart of many of these tales are managers, the unsung strategists who steer the ship while artists bask in the spotlight. These five moments remind us that when business is built on loyalty and genuine respect, it can birth legacies that transcend music charts.

As Davido and Asa Asika’s emotional wedding moment proves, some bonds in this business aren’t just contractual, they’re personal, powerful, and enduring.

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