#NECLive8: It’s Okay To Be A “Local Rapper” – Idris Olorunnimbe
Idris Olorunnimbe, founder of the Lagos-based talent agency Temple Management Company, in a message to Nigerian creatives, has said that there is no shame in being identified or categorised as a “local rapper”.
The 42-year-old, whose talent agency has worked with media personalities like talk show host Funmi Iyanda and movie producer Biyi Bandele, made this assertion during a lively panel session at the 8th edition of the Nigerian Entertainment Conference (NECLive), which was held on Sunday, April 25, 2021. At #NECLive8, Olorunnimbe urged Nigerian creatives to own their voices.
“It is okay for an artist to be a local champion”, he explained. “In fact, that is where you must start from. If the people in your vicinity cannot value you and get behind your craft, maybe you should stay in school or go and learn a trade. The energy that those guys give you is very important to you achieving that global status that we all seek.”
Olorunnimbe also enjoined artists to clearly define their audiences if they desired to stay at the top. In his words, “Once you define yourself, you are very likely to attract people, and you must remain loyal to your fans. If you come out today and say that you are a fuji artist, and you attract fans of fuji music, don’t stand for a domain besides that. If you decide to do hip hop or RnB, you are being disloyal to that fan base, and there is a chance that the new fans that you decide to go after might not want you. Once you give your [domain] more, they will take more, because in the first place they are attracted to you.”
To listen to more of Olorunnimbe’s industry nuggets shared at #NECLive8, watch the video below:
You can still catch up on all the action, excitement, and key movements from #NECLive8, including the fireside session and the live performances. All you have to do is visit the NECLive page.
