Smade

Last updated
Smade
Smade1.jpg
Picture of UK based Nigerian entrepreneur, Adesegun Adeosun Jnr alias Smade.
Born
Adesegun Adeosun Jnr

(1984-12-24) December 24, 1984 (age 39)
Nationality Nigerian, British
Other namesSmade or King Smade
Alma mater
Occupations
Years active2006–present
Known for Afro Nation, Smade Entertainment
Title
  • Co Founder Afro Nation (2013–present)
  • Founder Smade Entertainment (2008–present)
AwardsBest of Africa Awards, Global African Awards, African Diaspora Awards
Website www.smade.co.uk

Adesegun Adeosun Jnr, popularly known as Smade, is a Nigerian-born British event promoter, creative industry expert and entrepreneur. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] He is co-founder of Afro Nation, [6] [7] [8] [9] an annual music festival established to bring together the best African artists in afrobeats, hip hop, RnB, dancehall, amapiano and more. He is also the founder of Smade Entertainment, a UK-based entertainment company. [10] [11] [12]

Contents

Early life and education

Born in Lagos State, Nigeria and raised by both parents, Smade had his primary education at Ronik International School, Lagos and secondary education at Lagos State Model College. He moved to London after gaining admission to study advertising and marketing at University of the Arts London. [13] He then went on to acquire a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) in Marketing Pathway-Pass at GSM London between 2011, [14] a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales in 2012.

Career

Afro Nation

In 2013, Smade alongside his business partner Obi Asika, who is also serve as co- founder decided to form an event or Afro-like festival or carnaval to promote African acts globally. The maiden African edition was held in October 2019 at Accra, Ghana. [15] [16] Since the formation of Afro Nation, Smade have worked with several prominent artists including Wizkid, Davido, Burna Boy, Kizz Daniel, Tiwa Savage, , Yemi Alade, Black Sherif, Naira Marley, Patoranking, Adekunle Gold, CKay, Stonebwoy and others. [17] [18]

In 2007, he established his entertainment management company, Smade Entertainment, an entertainment firm that was approved as co-partner in 2019 to co-organize Afro Nation annually. [19] [20] [21] [22]

Awards and recognition

Smade received several awards and recognitions for his work, some of which are:

Personal life

He married his Zimbabwean girlfriend, Sianne McKop, on 20 October 2015, at the City Pavilion in London. [28] [29]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DJ Abass</span> Nigerian DJ

DJ Abass is a media & entertainment consultant, broadcaster, DJ and compere based in the United Kingdom. He is the CEO of the entertainment and media management outfit, DJAMEDIA. He is also well known in the Nigerian and African community in the United Kingdom for presenting and co-producing the television show Intro and the Big Nigerian Independence Intro Jam series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tiwa Savage</span> Nigerian singer (born 1980)

Tiwatope Omolara Savage, known professionally as Tiwa Savage, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and actress. Savage sings in English and Yoruba; her music is a blend of afrobeats, R&B, afropop, pop and hip-hop. Savage's contributions to the Nigerian music industry have earned her several achievements.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nigeria Entertainment Awards</span> Nigerian Award Ceremony

The Nigerian Entertainment Awards were established in New York City in January 2006. The awards recognize the contributions of African entertainers with a special focus on Nigerians.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wizkid</span> Nigerian singer and songwriter (born 1998)

Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, who is known professionally as Wizkid , is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. Born in the Ojuelegba suburb of Surulere, Lagos, Wizkid is a voice in the emerging Afrobeats movement. His music is a blend of Afrobeats, afropop, R&B, afrobeat, reggae, dancehall, and pop. He began recording music at the age of 11 and released a collaborative album with the Glorious Five, a group he and a couple of his church friends formed. In 2009, Wizkid signed a record deal with Banky W's Empire Mates Entertainment (E.M.E). He rose to the limelight after releasing "Holla at Your Boy", the lead single from his debut studio album, Superstar (2011), which also spawned the singles "Tease Me/Bad Guys" and "Don't Dull".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Burna Boy</span> Nigerian singer-songwriter (born 1991)

Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu , who is known professionally as Burna Boy, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and record producer. He rose to stardom in 2012 after releasing "Like to Party", the lead single from his debut studio album L.I.F.E (2013). In 2017, Burna Boy signed with Atlantic Records in the United States to release his third studio album, Outside (2018).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spinall</span> Nigerian disc jockey and record producer

Oluseye Desmond Sodamola, professionally known as Spinall, is a Nigerian disc jockey, record producer, and songwriter. He has released six studio albums and collaborated with artists that have included Wizkid, Tiwa Savage, Asake, Joeboy among others. He has won numerous awards for his work, including All Africa Music Awards and The Beatz Awards. He is also the first Nigerian disc jockey to play at festivals such as Coachella, SXSW, and Glastonbury.

Adekunle Almoruf Kosoko, known professionally as Adekunle Gold and AG Baby, is a Nigerian Afrobeats singer and songwriter currently signed to Def Jam Recordings. He gained widespread attention after releasing the 2015 hit single "Sade", a highlife cover of One Direction's "Story of My Life". He signed a record deal with YBNL Nation and released his 2015 debut studio album Gold, which debuted at number 7 on the Billboard World Albums chart. Gold was preceded by the release of three singles: "Sade", "Orente" and "Pick Up". Adekunle Gold revealed to Nigerian Entertainment Today that prior to signing with YBNL, he designed the label's official logo and completed other designs for Lil Kesh, Viktoh and Olamide. In 2023, he released "Tequila Ever After", his fifth studio album and first under Def Jam.

<i>R.E.D</i> (Tiwa Savage album) 2015 studio album by Tiwa Savage

R.E.D is the second studio album by Nigerian singer Tiwa Savage. It was released on December 19, 2015, by Mavin Records and 323 Entertainment. The album features guest appearances from Don Jazzy, Olamide, Dr SID, Iceberg Slim, 2face Idibia, D'Prince, Busy Signal and Reekado Banks. It was primarily produced by Don Jazzy, along with additional production from Baby Fresh, Altims, Spellz and P2J. The album was supported by the singles "My Darlin" and "Standing Ovation". Its deluxe edition was released in February 2016, and features collaborations with Wizkid and P-Square. R.E.D was nominated for Best Album at the 2016 Nigeria Entertainment Awards.

Mohammed Basit Abiola Isola Animashaun, popularly known as Moelogo (born 13 April 1990), is a British–Nigerian singer-songwriter, he has songwriting credits for some notable music projects, including Tiwa Savage's Celia.

Afrobeats, not to be confused with Afrobeat or Afroswing, is an umbrella term to describe popular music from West Africa and the diaspora that initially developed in Nigeria, Ghana, and the UK in the 2000s and 2010s. Afrobeats is less of a style per se, and more of a descriptor for the fusion of sounds flowing majorly out of Nigeria. Genres such as hiplife, jùjú music, highlife, azonto music, and naija beats, among others, were amalgamated under the "Afrobeats" umbrella.

Michael Babatunde Adeyinka, also known as DJ Tunez, is a Nigerian-American disc jockey. In 2015, DJ Tunez signed to Wizkid's record label Starboy Entertainment. DJ Tunez's first production was in 2016's "Iskaba", a "contagiously upbeat track" featuring Wande Coal. He has collaborated with other acts such as Wizkid, Sarz, Burna Boy, Busiswa, Reekado Banks, Damibliz, Omah Lay, and many more.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adasa Cookey</span> Nigerian music video director (born 1981)

Adasa Cookey is a Nigerian-born music video director, cinematographer, commercial director, colourist, and filmmaker. He works and directs for Squareball Media Productions Limited where he is also the Chief Executive Officer of the company.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">P2J</span> Nigerian-British producer

Richard Olowaranti Mbu Isong, known professionally as P2J is a Nigerian-British producer from London, England. He has produced for high-profile pop artists including Beyoncé, Wizkid, Stormzy, FKA Twigs, Burna Boy, Tems, and Doja Cat, among others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Afro Nation</span> Music festival

Afro Nation is an annual three-day music festival founded in 2019 by Live Nation, SLE - Sociedade Lusa de Espectáculos and Event Horizon to bring together the best African artistes in Afrobeats, Hip hop, RnB, Dancehall, Gqom,Amapiano and more. The festival was nominated in the Best Overseas Festival category at the 2019 UK Festival Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adesope Olajide</span> Nigerian media personality

Adesope Olajide known professionally as Shopsydoo OR Energy Gawd, is a Nigerian UK-based Media personality, radio and television personality, talk show host, event host and podcaster. He is the host of The Afrobeats Podcast,.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paul O</span> Nigerian show promoter and record exec (born 1967)

Paul Okoye, also known as Paulo Okoye or Paul O, is a Nigerian event promoter, talent manager, record exec, philanthropist and business man.

Godson Ominibie Epelle professionally known as 1da Banton, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and record producer. He is best known for his 2021 song "No Wahala", which was remixed and re-released in 2022, featuring Nigerian musicians Kizz Daniel and Tiwa Savage.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AfroFuture</span> Music festival

Afrofuture, formerly known as Afrochella, is an African music festival that started in 2019.

Charlene Ebai-Ebi Egbe is a Cameroonian-Norwegian mistress of ceremony, events compere, hype queen, fitness instructor and media and entertainment entrepreneur, popularly known as MC Charlene and the Energy Goddess. In 2019 she was unveiled as the MC of the year at the Scandinavia Africa Music Award (SAMA) and she emerged as the Best MC at the Muzikol Music Awards (MUMA) in 2020. She is one of few notable female MCs in Norway.

<i>Afrobeats The Backstory</i> Nigerian TV series

Afrobeats The Backstory is a UK/Nigerian documentary series that premiered on Netflix. It narrates and explores the establishment and progress of the music genre, Afrobeats. It is directed by Ayo Shonaiya.

References

  1. Williams, Tommy (2019-09-19). "Meet Smade: An Entrepreneur Bringing The African Diaspora Together Through Music And Entertainment". forbes.com. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  2. Vincent, Desmond (2020-10-10). "Interview: Afro Nation Festival's Smade On Unifying Africans Across the Continent & Diaspora". okayafrica.com. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  3. Oke-Hortons, Nosa (2022-12-17). ""This Is Greatness": Ace Promoter Smade Hails Asake Calls Him the Pride of Afrobeat As His UK Tour Continues". legit.ng. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  4. "'Ghanaian Artists Are Too Calm & Relaxed'- Nigerian Music Promoter". ghgossip.com. 2019-12-15. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  5. "Black Sherif celebrated in London by Afronation Co-founder Smade". ghanaweb.com. 2022-11-24. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  6. Monroy Yglesias, Ana (2020-05-05). "Afro Nation Co-Founders Smade & Obi Asika Talk Festival Origins, Uniting The African Diaspora & Celebrating Diversity". grammy.com. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  7. Scaro, VJ (2019-12-26). "Co-founder of Afro Nation, Smade Celebrates birthday with Teshie Orphanage". ameyawdebrah.com. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  8. Mims, Taylor (2021-12-13). "Afro Nation Puerto Rico Founders Talk Two-Year Delay & Landing Megan Thee Stallion". billboard.com. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  9. Olajide, Samuel (2019-09-14). "Nigerian music underrated outside Africa –Smade". punchng.com. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  10. Okonkwo, Oge (2015-10-21). "Smade Entertainment CEO weds longtime fiancée, Sianne McKop". pulse.ng. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  11. "African music giant, Smade loses beautiful mum". onenigerianbritico.com. 2022-05-18. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  12. ""Wizkid and Burna Boy are Biggest African Stars" – Smade events CEO". legit9ja.com. 2019-11-20. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  13. Shamaan, Freeman-Powell (2019-08-10). "The man behind the festival that 'united the African Diaspora'". bbc.com. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  14. "Adesegun Adeosun (Jr.): Celebrating Black Excellence In Entertainment Production". dukeintmagazine.com. 2021-05-23. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  15. Gamenya, Gerrard (2019-10-16). "Afronation: Smade Reveals The Secret Behind Choosing Ghana For The Maiden Edition". gbafrica.net. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  16. "Stonebwoy is Very Intelligent, I Couldn't Even Imagine How Brilliant That Guy Is – Co Founder of AfroNation, SMADE Praises Stonebwoy". ghgossip.com. 2019-09-26. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  17. "Afro Nation: Not Nigeria, why Ghana is hosting music festival - Smade". mynigeria.com. 2022-07-07. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  18. Olajide, Samuel (2019-09-14). "Nigerian music underrated outside Africa –Smade". punchng.com. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  19. Ngondonga, Mayfield (2021-08-21). "Founder of Afronation Smade Is Back With Yam Carnival". mycomeup.com. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  20. "Adekunle Gold's #about30concert Secures Smade Entertainment's Position As The Top Afrobeats Promoter". thenigerianvoice.com. 2018-06-30. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  21. "Smade Entertainment Makes History Yet Again As Tiwa Savage Pays Tribute To African Icons At #thesavagetour". modernghana.com. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  22. "Smade Entertainment Welcomes Wizkid, Mr Eazi, Tekno, Maleek Berry, Tiwa Savage To London For Biggest Afro Concert". theimpactnewspaper.com. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  23. "Winners 2019". boaawards.com. 2022-10-13. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  24. "African Diaspora Awards honours achievements". trumpetmediagroup.com. 2019-04-08. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  25. "The African Diaspora rolls out 2019 Honours". rootencial.com. 2019-04-08. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  26. Esomnofu, Emmanuel (2020-07-07). "Afrobeats "Live and Awards" Power Players 2019". notjustok.com. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  27. "Global African Awards announce UK Nominees". globalafrican.co. 2022-10-13. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  28. "Nigerian Entertainers Turn Up For London Event Promoter King Smade Marriage(Photos) – Entertainment Express". expressng.com. 2015-10-21. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  29. Badmus, Kayode (2015-10-21). "9ice, Banky W, Adekunle Gold turn up as London based event promoter, King Smade marries Zimbabwean lover". thenet.ng. Retrieved 2023-01-16.