#DearArtiste™

So we have established earlier, that finding a manager as an upcoming artiste is a herculean task. Let me also add that any artiste who has worked hard to establish his/her career and achieved a level of success,  will have a better chance to 'attract' the services of a professional, well-connected and respected manager, Because Managers who do this job for a living can only take on artistes that generate income.

Your manager is your representation to the outside world. He will negotiate your contracts and speak for you in business meetings. So you definitely don’t want a wishy-washy person that you cant trust. Here are five very important qualities to watch out for.

Each individual has some seed of talent, with which he is born. Every person is unique. Talent, although similar, is outstanding in its own way. The difference between the man you are, and your next door neighbour, is how well you are able to sell yourself. How does selling one's self come into play? Every seed needs water and soil to grow. The right soil with the wrong nurturing, only does nothing but kills a very viable seed. In other words, skill, coupled with expertise, are two very expedient ingredients for expanding and selling any talent.

Before I delve into the clauses you should pay particular attention to in your Artiste Management Agreement, it is important that I point out that a management agreement should only be executed between parties that have a modicum of respect and trust for each other. As much as possible, avoid entering into an agreement with someone or an entity that you have a valid ground to distrust (i.e. if the manager don snatch your babe before, chances be say you no go trust am with anything...)

No matter the prior relationship between the artist and the Manager, it is pertinent that it be formalized as soon as they agree to start a Manager-artist relationship. Don't ever say 'brother Taju is my person; there is no need for Agreement'. As far as we know, Don Jazzy and D'banj have terminated their relationship (whatever that means) and Duncan Mighty and his childhood friend and Manager also recently did... Yam pepper can also scatter scatter for brother Taju and yourself o.

"Qudus! Qudus!! Quuuuuuduuuuuussiiiiii!!! You are a stupid boy. Why haven't you polished my shoes? You dey mad ni?"

That is Big G, an 'up-coming' artiste addressing his 'Manager'. I have discovered over time that artistes consider their managers as glorified errand boys who are there mainly to attend to menial chores and their every whim and caprice. Since the Pharisees killed Jesus ehn, this has to be the worst mistake ever to be made.