Tonye Ibiama

Last updated
Tonye Ibiama
Born (1974-09-29) 29 September 1974 (age 49)
NationalityNigerian
Other namesBig T
Occupations
Known for Grafton Entertainment
TitleLabel executive

Tamunotonye Soipiriala Adonye Ibiama (born 29 September 1974), [1] [2] commonly known as Tonye Ibiama or Big T [3] is a UK-based Nigerian music executive, talent manager, and businessman. He is the founder and CEO of Grafton Entertainment, he has helped launch the careers of many artists including De Indispensables, M Trill, Idahams, [4] Tha IBZ, and Mr. 2Kay. [5]

Contents

Early life

Ibiama grew up primarily in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. [6]

Career

In 2004, he founded Grafton Entertainment, and announced the signing of its first recording acts: De Indispensables, M Trill, and record producer Slim Burna within the space of 4 years from 2004 to 2008. Within 2008-2009, a stand-up comedian Prince Hezekiah joined its roaster. In 2009, Tha IBZ joined its artist roaster. In 2010, Mr 2Kay, and Big Mouf joined its artist roaster. In 2011, J-Boy joined its artist roaster. In 2016, Idahams joined the label, as an in-house producer and is primarily known for Mr 2Kay's "God Can Bless Anybody".

In 2019, Tonye's music recording company Grafton Entertainment partnered with Nigeria LNG to host a football tournament in the Bonny Island, to discover, develop, and empower the next Nigerian football star from Bonny Island. [7] In the same year, Grafton Entertainment partnered with Universal Music Group flagship in West Africa, Universal Music Group Nigeria to distribute, and market Idahams's extended play albums Amayanabo, released globally on 5 July 2019 and Man On Fire, released globally on 12 June 2020. [8]

See also

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References

  1. "Director Summary". Company Check. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
  2. "Grafton's CEO Throws A Superb Birthday Bash". PHCityMusic. 12 October 2011. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
  3. Adebola, Bolatito (22 November 2019). "Tonye Ibiama's Undying Love For Youths". Independent Newspaper Nigeria. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
  4. "Grafton Signs New Act". Thisday. 24 March 2008. Archived from the original on 15 May 2008. Retrieved 17 September 2014 via The Wayback Machine.
  5. "Mr. 2Kay Releases Official Video for 'Bubugaga Remix'". Premium Times. 19 October 2013. Retrieved 17 September 2014 via AllAfrica.com.
  6. The Company
  7. "Tonye Ibiama: Why We Partnered NLNG for Sports - THISDAYLIVE". www.thisdaylive.com. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
  8. "Idahams Signs Deal With Universal Music Group, Drops "Billion Dollar"". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 8 November 2019. Retrieved 3 February 2024.