Entertainment, Lifestyle, Society

I Want To Raise Artistes With Potentials – Eniola Olagookun

Eniola Olagookun , is one Nigerian upcoming music talent that many in the entertainment and showbiz industry would want to emulate. Inspite of many challenges facing the Nigerian entertainment industry, Eniola has chosen to thread on the path of success. Eniola is a graduate of B-Commerce from the University of South Africa (UNISA) and currently running a post graduate programme at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) and owns a record label called ENLAG ENTERTAINMENT which he promised he will use to promote the nation’s upcoming artistes. In this interview with us, he highlighted on so many interesting issues bordering Nigerian entertainment industry. Excerpts:

Kindly tell us about yourself?

My names are; Olagookun Eniola I studied Commerce at UNISA and currently running a program in UNILAG.

Tell us more about yourself?

I am an ordinary person who likes other people’s life, I was born by a pensioner dad and a businesswoman… There was no steady three square meal, I attended a public schools, even sometimes no prompt school fees payment, also no Christmas clothes nor birthday cakes, that exactly was the kind of background I came from, hope you can understand how things are so difficult then..

Share with us your sojourn into the entertainment world?

I started as an event and portrait photographer but I have a brother who is into entertainment and showbiz, so that was how it started for me.

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Tell us about your record label

Enlag Entertainment as a label has created one of the best singles released in urban music in the last two years. With good videos and star artistes collaborations. The artistes have performed in most coveted stages and venues in Nigeria like Delineation, Industry Nite, Freedom Park and also in other a-list clubs

Any challenged so far?

My major challenges were expensive media and no copyright law enforcement. Many bloggers will upload your exclusive iTunes releases for free on their blogs, some will use your song commercially without paying you, and you pay for almost all media publicity no matter how little.

Tell us how you were able to overcome the challenges you just highlighted

The solution was to do my own shows with my artistes headlining it with other popular acts. So, instead of waiting for music sales and bookings, we book and sell our music at the venues.

Do you have any artiste on your record label?

I don’t have a major artiste on my label, just upcoming artistes with great potentials.

So, how long have you been in the system?

I have been in the system for just 2years professionally.

Any plan for international shows as part of activities lined up for your artistes this year?

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Programs for my artiste are club tours, star features, concept videos, viral marketing and star cosigns, more importantly strong media publicity.

Tell us your experience so far in the entertainment industry

Entertainment is what I have been passionate about, what prompted me to start a record label in 2014 was that there are too many random and average acts shoving people’s throat as great artistes. So, I decided to bring in different artistes and brands that have game plans liable of causing change in vibe. This year, I planned on monthly shows and more viral marketing to get my artistes out there on bigger platforms. It has never been a smooth ride because am promoting new acts that are not yet popular but with good music that can turn things around.

Has the government done enough to encourage players in the entertainment industry?

The government keeps promising to support the entertainment industry. We don’t have copyright law in this county, the government should enforcement a law against piracy and assure us of security over our songs through this we should be able to fight against piracy, if not completely atleast to some level.

Lots of people complaint about originality in most of Nigerians artistes’ songs, did you agree with that?

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On originality, No I am absolutely not satisfied yet but the popular artistes in Nigeria deserved to be praised for their unique styles and lyrics, but too many of them are still chasing shadows.

Can we compare Nigerian entertainment industry with our foreign counterparts?

Nigerian entertainment industry can’t be compared with its foreign counterparts because of lack of structure and music law enforcement, but it can be compared in terms of good videos, talents, popularity, money from shows and online subscription. Nigerian artistes like Ajebutter, Tuface, Reminisce, Wizkid, Olamide and others are really competing with our foreign counterparts.

Who are the people you are looking up to in the industry?

I look up to Obi Asika, Jimmy Jatt, Keke and Kenny, Sunday Are, Paulo of one Africa, Efe Omorogbe…

Are you married?

Yes, Eniola Olagookun is married!

How do you relax and how do you handle the opposite sex?

YES! I enjoy traveling with families, I relax with music and good drinks in a cool environment. Concerning babes? NO! But YES with my families…Smiles