If you are a fan of Afrobeats, you might have heard of some of the hottest artists in the industry, such as Omah Lay, Seyi Vibez, Ice Prince, and Shallipopi. But do you know who is behind their music distribution and promotion? Meet Ademola Alugo, the head of music distribution at Dapper Group and the senior vice president of Dvpper Digital, a subsidiary of Dapper Group.
Early Life and Education
Ademola Toyeeb Alugo was born on September 10, 1994, in Lagos State, Nigeria. He is the son of Alhaji Fatai Moyosore Alugo, a corporate tycoon, and Alhaja Atinuke Alugo, a businesswoman. He grew up in Lagos State, where he attended Marie Claire Primary School and King's College Lagos.
He then proceeded to the University of Lagos, where he obtained a diploma in Sociology in 2012, a bachelor's degree in Sociology in 2015, and a master's degree in Business Administration and Management in 2022. He is currently studying Criminology and Social Justice at the University of Liverpool John Moores.
Career
Ademola started his career in the corporate sector, working briefly for Globacom, a telecommunications company. However, his passion for music led him to join the music industry in 2014. He officially debuted in 2019, when he became the first employee and executive of Dapper Group, a 360 music and entertainment firm founded by his friend Damilola "Dapper" Akinwunmi, whom he met at the University of Lagos.
As the head of music distribution at Dapper Group, Ademola is responsible for ensuring that the music of the artists under the label reaches the widest possible audience, both locally and internationally. He is also the senior vice president of Dvpper Digital, a subsidiary of Dapper Group that focuses on digital marketing, branding, and content creation for artists and brands.
He has worked with some of the biggest names in the Afrobeats scene, such as Omah Lay, Seyi Vibez, Ice Prince, and Shallipopi. He is credited for the distribution of Seyi Vibez's debut album, "Billion Dollar Baby", which amassed over 118 million streams on Apple and Spotify, and over 680 million streams on Audiomack.
Recognition
Ademola's achievements have not gone unnoticed in the music industry. In July 2023, he was named the Executive of the Week by TurnTable Charts, a platform that tracks and ranks the performance of Nigerian music across various platforms.
In August 2023, he was also listed among the 30 Under 30 Power Players in Nigerian Music by the same platform. He has also been featured in several news articles and interviews, where he shares his insights and experiences on the growth and impact of Afrobeats on the global music scene.
Controversy And Activism Of Ademola Alugo
Ademola Alugo has been involved in some controversy and activism in the Nigerian music industry.
Some of the controversies he faced include:
Being accused of plagiarism and intellectual property theft by another music executive, Ovie O, who claimed that Ademola copied his idea of creating a music distribution platform for African artists.
Being criticized by some Nigerian artists and fans for allegedly manipulating streaming numbers and charts to favor his clients, such as Seyi Vibez and Omah Lay.
Being sued by a former employee, Tobi Adeyemi, for breach of contract and unpaid wages. Adeyemi alleged that Ademola fired him without notice and refused to pay him his salary and commissions.
Some of the activism he engaged in include:
Advocating for the rights and welfare of Nigerian artists, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many of them faced financial and emotional challenges.
Supporting the #EndSARS movement, which protested against police brutality and corruption in Nigeria. He donated money and resources to the protesters and used his social media platforms to raise awareness and solidarity.
Promoting the concept of licensing and royalty collection for African music, which he believes is essential for the growth and sustainability of the industry. He partnered with Mdundo, a music streaming service, to host a programme on this topic in 2023.
How Can I Contact Ademola Alugo?
According to the web, Ademola Alugo can be contacted through his social media accounts, such as LinkedIn, [Twitter], and [Instagram]. He also has an [email address] that is publicly available on his LinkedIn profile. However, I cannot guarantee that he will respond to your messages, as he might be busy with his work or personal life.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ademolaalugo Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ademolaalugo/ email address: mailto:ademola.alugo@dvppermusic.com
Conclusion
Ademola Alugo is one of the most influential and successful music executives in Nigeria. He is the driving force behind Dvpper Digital, a leading independent music company in Africa. He is also a mentor and inspiration to many young and aspiring music professionals, who look up to him for his vision, passion, and innovation. He is a true example of how hard work, dedication, and talent can take you far in the music industry.
I hope you like this blog post. Please let me know if you have any feedback or suggestions.
