Ogun State-born Sunday Are is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of List Entertainment Records. In this interview with Seyi Sokoya and Segun Adebayo, he speaks about his passion for artistes management, growing up, challenges and future ambition. Excerpts:
How did you find your way into List Entertainment Records?
MY journey into the music industry did not start with List Entertainment. I started very early in the music industry, the journey started in 1980, in 1984 after I had garnered enough experience, I became a professional, having worked under several bosses in the industry that have become legends today, some are still living and some have died. After a couple of years, I joined a band called October band, where I met with the likes of Jimmy Adams, Friday Jumbo and others. I could remember vividly in 1983 to 1984, we produced one of the popular album of Olando Julius 'Adara Adara, Adara fe gbe wa o a yewa kale', we launched it in 1984, at Kabanbanbu, Bobby Benson's hotel and National Theatre. We chose National Theatre then because it was the only known place and if you are a star and you have not performed there, you are not yet regarded as a celebrity, so, after the lunching, Orlando Julius took my brother along with him to abroad, because he was staying abroad, but he had to come to Nigeria for his album. I was left behind, I moved on and joined KK band owned by Tunde Shole, so along the line I met Drastic band where I had the opportunity to work with Majek Fashek, George Howell and others, Majek and I became friends and he promised to work with me.
Why were you left behind?
I was new in the group and I did not feel like following them abroad as at that time because I was confident of what I wanted to do and I knew that with God by my side, I will become a celebrated personality.
So what happened afterwards?
Initially, I started as technical personnel and I was very comfortable and good at it. This feat no doubt brought me to the limelight in the entertainment industry. I met another wonderful woman, Mrs. Nelson Igbokwe, we both had to set up a new band because we were still very fresh then, I did my best and I was rewarded accordingly because they were impressed, I hold her in high esteem because she was very good to me and had a very great impact on my life. I have worked with many artists and my production then was from demo to album project. I worked with so many guys that have become most sought after in the industry today.
Who are the notable ones you can remember?
They are many and I won't like a situation where by I miss out some names, the list is endless when it comes who and who I have worked with, but to answer your question, I have worked with Majek Fashek, Lagbaja, Obesere, Laolu Akins, Onyeka Owenu, Orlando Julius and a host of others. I was actually the one that set up Lagbaja's band in the 1980's
What brought about List Entertainment Records?
After working with several artists in the industry, I saw the need for me to establish my own record label. It has to do with every individual that I have worked with and the dues that I have paid, coupled with the experience I garnered since I joined the industry. I was able to raise some cash for myself and one fact that you can't take away was the passion I had for artistes' management. It was my passion that gave birth to establishing List Entertainment.
When did you make your first million?
(Laughs)….. My first million. Honestly, I can't remember. I can't tell you how I made my first million, because the kind of job we do, money comes in and you also spend a lot. This profession has been very rewarding a lot and I thank God for everything. I have done projects with Shell in Port Harcourt; I gave them artists and provided sounds for them at one of their shows. I could be offer ten million or twenty million for a particular project, but that doesn't mean the whole amount of money comes into my pocket directly, I have to pay my artists, management and every other person that work for the success of the show. So, if I make a million naira from a project, I think I have actually paid the dues.
In fact I don't know when exactly I made my first million, but the truth of the matter is that the blessings of God have been sufficient for me, and the fact that I have found happiness in the job I am doing is a fulfilled heart most desires.
Do you agree that landing Don Jazzy and D'banj in List Entertainment records made Sunday Are a known name in the industry?
I have made my name before I met any of these guys. It is not a hidden fact that there emergence was also a booster but you cannot tell me that they brought me into lime light.
So, how did you meet D'banj?
I met him in late 2004 and it was in two ways. I saw the D'banj on stage, he came to the venue with Ruggedman. I was actually anchoring an event for Nigeran Brewery in my neighborhood in Surulere. D' banj performed that day, he had just released his Tongolo singles then. I can remember that I paid Ruggedman for the show that day and other artists that day, it was a love garden Christmas carnival that event. D'banj performed that day and I liked his performance, after the show that day, we met and he came to my office in Surulere with Don'Jazzy. He was full of life and I noticed that D'banj has a very different torch the moment I met him that day. They both told me in my office that day that they wanted me to work with them; I told them I love their zealousness and the spirit to succeed and I will be ready to work with them. They both live in London then. They gave me their numbers and we communicated, when I got a show, I invited them and the relationship started from there. But initially I had my reservations, I didn't say yes.
Why didn't you say yes?
Because I had to take my time. I wanted to be sure of working with them before saying yes. In 2005, we were in Abuja and I told D'banj how we can work together. I am a disciplined person and I spelt everything out to D'banj that day and to my surprise, he was so clam and never raised any objection. I advised him to do more of live band music
How did you find your way into List Entertainment Records?
MY journey into the music industry did not start with List Entertainment. I started very early in the music industry, the journey started in 1980, in 1984 after I had garnered enough experience, I became a professional, having worked under several bosses in the industry that have become legends today, some are still living and some have died. After a couple of years, I joined a band called October band, where I met with the likes of Jimmy Adams, Friday Jumbo and others. I could remember vividly in 1983 to 1984, we produced one of the popular album of Olando Julius 'Adara Adara, Adara fe gbe wa o a yewa kale', we launched it in 1984, at Kabanbanbu, Bobby Benson's hotel and National Theatre. We chose National Theatre then because it was the only known place and if you are a star and you have not performed there, you are not yet regarded as a celebrity, so, after the lunching, Orlando Julius took my brother along with him to abroad, because he was staying abroad, but he had to come to Nigeria for his album. I was left behind, I moved on and joined KK band owned by Tunde Shole, so along the line I met Drastic band where I had the opportunity to work with Majek Fashek, George Howell and others, Majek and I became friends and he promised to work with me.
Why were you left behind?
I was new in the group and I did not feel like following them abroad as at that time because I was confident of what I wanted to do and I knew that with God by my side, I will become a celebrated personality.
So what happened afterwards?
Initially, I started as technical personnel and I was very comfortable and good at it. This feat no doubt brought me to the limelight in the entertainment industry. I met another wonderful woman, Mrs. Nelson Igbokwe, we both had to set up a new band because we were still very fresh then, I did my best and I was rewarded accordingly because they were impressed, I hold her in high esteem because she was very good to me and had a very great impact on my life. I have worked with many artists and my production then was from demo to album project. I worked with so many guys that have become most sought after in the industry today.
Who are the notable ones you can remember?
They are many and I won't like a situation where by I miss out some names, the list is endless when it comes who and who I have worked with, but to answer your question, I have worked with Majek Fashek, Lagbaja, Obesere, Laolu Akins, Onyeka Owenu, Orlando Julius and a host of others. I was actually the one that set up Lagbaja's band in the 1980's
What brought about List Entertainment Records?
After working with several artists in the industry, I saw the need for me to establish my own record label. It has to do with every individual that I have worked with and the dues that I have paid, coupled with the experience I garnered since I joined the industry. I was able to raise some cash for myself and one fact that you can't take away was the passion I had for artistes' management. It was my passion that gave birth to establishing List Entertainment.
When did you make your first million?
(Laughs)….. My first million. Honestly, I can't remember. I can't tell you how I made my first million, because the kind of job we do, money comes in and you also spend a lot. This profession has been very rewarding a lot and I thank God for everything. I have done projects with Shell in Port Harcourt; I gave them artists and provided sounds for them at one of their shows. I could be offer ten million or twenty million for a particular project, but that doesn't mean the whole amount of money comes into my pocket directly, I have to pay my artists, management and every other person that work for the success of the show. So, if I make a million naira from a project, I think I have actually paid the dues.
In fact I don't know when exactly I made my first million, but the truth of the matter is that the blessings of God have been sufficient for me, and the fact that I have found happiness in the job I am doing is a fulfilled heart most desires.
Do you agree that landing Don Jazzy and D'banj in List Entertainment records made Sunday Are a known name in the industry?
I have made my name before I met any of these guys. It is not a hidden fact that there emergence was also a booster but you cannot tell me that they brought me into lime light.
So, how did you meet D'banj?
I met him in late 2004 and it was in two ways. I saw the D'banj on stage, he came to the venue with Ruggedman. I was actually anchoring an event for Nigeran Brewery in my neighborhood in Surulere. D' banj performed that day, he had just released his Tongolo singles then. I can remember that I paid Ruggedman for the show that day and other artists that day, it was a love garden Christmas carnival that event. D'banj performed that day and I liked his performance, after the show that day, we met and he came to my office in Surulere with Don'Jazzy. He was full of life and I noticed that D'banj has a very different torch the moment I met him that day. They both told me in my office that day that they wanted me to work with them; I told them I love their zealousness and the spirit to succeed and I will be ready to work with them. They both live in London then. They gave me their numbers and we communicated, when I got a show, I invited them and the relationship started from there. But initially I had my reservations, I didn't say yes.
Why didn't you say yes?
Because I had to take my time. I wanted to be sure of working with them before saying yes. In 2005, we were in Abuja and I told D'banj how we can work together. I am a disciplined person and I spelt everything out to D'banj that day and to my surprise, he was so clam and never raised any objection. I advised him to do more of live band music
