Good ol’ days
back with Premier Records
•Unveils five new artistes
By Sun News Publishing
Saturday,
March 15, 2008
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Sun News Publishing |
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For music enthusiasts who yearn for the good old times when
the first generation recording companies like Sony, Decca,
Polygram and EMI were making waves, dishing out hit after
hit, the good old days are certainly back.
The younger recording outfits might have taken the centre
stage, running the show like hell, but not anymore as Premier
Records, formerly Polygram has seized the bull by the horn,
ready to rock the show as the acclaimed “first beat
of the heart beat”.
At a ceremony tagged “Unlocking the future of the new
Premier” which held at the company’s premises
in Lagos on Tuesday, Premier Records rolled out fresh plans
that would see it back to the top spot of the recording industry.
Some of the exciting attractions of the event include the
unveiling of five new artistes just signed on to the label
and already enjoying air-play on radio and television across
the country. They include Lanre Fakeye aka Shakomended, who
also doubles as the Business Development Manager, Z-Byte,
Pricilla, Chakka Da Souljah and Osagie.
Parading music stars and society bigwigs like Mr Jimi Agbaje,
gubernatorial candidate in the last election in Lagos State
and now Chairman, Premier Records, Mrs Keji Okunnowo, MD,
Sony Music, Pa Chris Ajilo, Mr Lolu Akinwunmi, MD, Prima Garnet
Oglivy, Rev. Dele Ojo, Orits Wiliki, Benson Idonije and others,
the occasion also witnessed the formal presentation of the
re-branding concept: Motivational Investment Driven Participation
(MID-P) aimed at strengthening ties between Premier Records
and corporate Nigeria.
Says Agbaje: “At Premier, we have decided to force the
good times back again. We have resolved to weather the stormy
terrain by repackaging Premier to adapt to the fair and unfair
challenges of the future. The new Premier we present to you
today is artistes’ friendly. We shall scout for and
promote budding artistes, pay them competitive royalties as
and when due.”
On the part of Toju Ejuiyitchie, Managing Director, Premier
Records, the history of music business in Nigeria cannot be
complete without taking into consideration the roles played
by his company. He, however, stated that the new Premier has
been re-positioned to meet the challenges of the present day
entertainment industry.
"For us in Premier Records Limited, we have been re-strategizing
and re-inventing ourselves over the years so as to stay afloat
amid the unfavorable economic and business environment. We
intend to showcase a whole new Premier that is re-positioning
to meet the challenges of the present day entertainment industry
while still exploiting a rich heritage in music repertoire,”
Ejuiyitchie declares.
He listed major challenges of the industry to include piracy;
unfair competition from informal enterprises who avoid VAT
and income tax; low pricing of musical products; lowering
of quality of music and artistes; changing technology; and
the general lack of professionalism in the industry.
Premier Records Limited was incorporated in 1963 as Philips
(W.A) Records Limited. Due to a change in ownership structure,
the company at different times has been renamed Phonogram
Limited and Polygram Limited. However, the quest to add quality
and creativity to its ever-expanding heritage has remained
constant with the organisation.
Premier boasts of a large repertoire including the works of
musical legends like late Chief Osita Osadebe, late Rex Jim
Lawson, late Celestine Ukwu, late Yusuf Olatunji, Sir Victor
Uwaifo, Dr. Victor Olaiya, Dan Maraya Jos and Rex Williams.
Others are Alex O, Alex Zitto, The Mandators, Blackky, Orits
Wiliki, Ras Kimono, Mike Okiri, Onyeka Onwenu, Evi Edna Ogholi,
Dele Taiwo, Dele Bamgboye, Benita, Wura Fadaka and Buchi.
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