The Plug

Last updated
The Plug
Company type Private
Industry Entertainment
Founded2016
HeadquartersPlot 10, 10 Ayo Babatunde Cres, Maroko 000234, Lekki, ,
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
  • Tobi Mohammed (COO.)
  • Lanre Vigo (Head of Sport)
  • David Edogame (Head of Music Distribution)
Products Music, Entertainment, Sports
Owners
Subsidiaries
  • Plug Entertainment
  • Plug Live
  • The Plug Music
  • Plug Films
  • Plug Sports
  • Plug Publishing
Website https://www.plugng.com

The Plug (operating as The Plug Entertainment LTD) headquartered in Lagos, is a Nigerian Entertainment company founded in 2016. [1] It's known for housing a talent management, booking agency, distribution, publishing, and event management unit. The company is headed by Asa Asika, Bizzle Osikoya, and Tobi Mohammed as co-owners. [2] [3] [4] Its music unit includes Plug Entertainment, Plug Live, The Plug Music, Plug Films, and Plug Publishing. Its sports units include Plug Sports.

Contents

In 2020, Billboard Magazine named The Plug as one of The Gatekeepers of the Nigerian music industry. [5]

History

The Plug was formed in 2016 by Asa Asika, and Bizzle Osikoya as a talent management company, [6] with the merger of TopBoy Entertainment in 2022, Asa Asika, Bizzle Osikoya, and Tobi Mohammed, became owners with equal shares. [3] The company was established with the aim to make Nigerian artists global with the help of the founder's experience in the Nigerian entertainment industry. Asa Asika began his career working for his uncle Obi Asika at Storm 360, before establishing his management company StarGaze, and Bizzle Osikoya began his at Storm 360 and later joined Mavin's, [7] went on to establish his imprint B Entertainment. [8]

They both merged their companies StarGaze Management Company, and B Entertainment in 2016 to establish The Plug. The company began managing Davido in the following year, under Asa Asika. [9] In 2017, the company expand its artist services and began operating as a 360 entertainment company, handling artist booking, music distribution, music publishing, with event production, and management. On 14 September 2022, Tobi Mohammed imprint TopBoy Entertainment formalized its merger with The Plug. [3]

The Plug divisions

Plug Entertainment

Plug Entertainment is a Nigerian-based Music management company founded by The Plug in 2016, and is headed by Asa Asika, and Bizzle Osikoya. Music talent management by the division includes past and present artists; Davido, CKay, Bella Shmurda, BOJ, Focalistic, [10] Victony, Smallz The DJ, Raebel, ShineTTW, DRB LasGidi, Maze x Mxtreme, and DJ Titanium. [11]

Plug Live

Plug Live is a Nigerian event management and production company owned by The Plug. [12] Plug Live is the production company of Mainland Block Party, a Nigerian music festival. [2]

The Plug Music

The Plug Music (operating as The Plug Music Services), is a Nigerian Music Distribution, Music Publishing, and Music Licensing division of The Plug.

Plug Films

Plug Films is a Nigerian film production and distribution company founded by The Plug.

Plug Sports

Plug Sports (also operating as The Plug Sports), is a Nigerian-based Sport management company founded by The Plug in 2019, and is headed by Lanre Vigo. [13] Sports talent management by the division includes Henry Onyekuru, Asisat Oshoala, Clement Ugah, Uchenna Kanu, Michelle Alozie, and Tobi Amusan. [14] [15] [16] [17]

Plug Publishing

Plug Publishing is a Nigerian music publishing company owned by The Plug and operates as a division of The Plug Music. [18]

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References

  1. Kalu, Esther (1 September 2023). "The Plug celebrates seven years of shaping culture, nurturing African talents". Premium Times Nigeria. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
  2. 1 2 Rys, Dan (16 August 2023). "Meet The Plug, the Nigerian Music Company Behind Afrobeats Stars Davido, Ckay & More". Billboard. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  3. 1 2 3 "The Plug, TopBoy Entertainment Formalise Merger, Announce Mohammed as Managing Partner". THISDAYLIVE. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  4. Nigeria, Guardian (1 July 2023). "The plug reaffirms afrobeats' global relevance". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  5. Cirisano, Tatiana. "The Gatekeepers". Billboard. p. 3. Archived from the original on 3 June 2020. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
  6. "Asa Asika on Developing Afrobeats Superstars, The Plug's Journey, and the Business of Music". BellaNaija. 29 June 2023. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  7. Showemimo, Adedayo (25 May 2016). "Popular promoter Bizzle Osikoya parts ways with Don Jazzy's Mavin". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  8. Oriowo, Ayomide. "Asa Asika & Bizzle Are Creating a Legacy With The Plug". TurnTable . Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  9. "Davido reunites with Asa Asika despite saying 'I'm my own manager'". TheCable Lifestyle. 31 January 2017. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  10. "South African star, Focalistic signs to The Plug Management". Pulse Nigeria. 12 November 2021. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  11. "Music Talents". The Plug. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  12. AJALA, AYOMIDE (24 August 2017). "The Plug Signs Strategic Partnership with Balmoral Live to grow the Entertainment Industry". OloriSuperGal. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  13. "Plug NG Launches Subsidiary, Plug NG Sports". The Culture Custodian (Est. 2014.). 31 December 2019. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  14. Okojie, Josephine (17 August 2022). "Plug Sports signs brand, marketing deal with Tobi Amusan". Businessday NG. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  15. "AS Monaco star Henry Onyekuru joins Plug Sports management | Goal.com". www.goal.com. 30 December 2019. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  16. Dede, Steve. "Super Falcons star Asisat Oshoala signs with Plug Sports to handle her off-field interests". Pulse Nigeria. Archived from the original on 23 October 2021. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  17. "Uchenna Kanu". Plug Sports. Archived from the original on 24 July 2023. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  18. "Nigeria: The Plug Entertainment announces publishing arm". Music In Africa. 6 June 2023. Retrieved 23 August 2023.