How to Get a Record Deal in Nigeria

You probably have read or heard a lot on how to get a record deal. The internet is a great resource in the dimension, but what most indigenous artistes don’t realise is that music is a regional thing. What do I mean by that? Well, what is obtainable in terms of industry practices in the UK and US might be in stark contrast to what is obtainable in your home country. This fact alone might make some of the advice you get on the internet about getting a record deal invalid for your situation.

So what does it take to get a record deal in Nigeria? Before I answer that question, let me say that there is no guarantee that if you follow the steps that I’m about to highlight here, you’d automatically get a deal. This is because luck plays a part too, but you can follow these steps to keep yourself in a better position of being noticed by major record companies in Nigeria.

The very first thing you should do to improve your odds is to start thinking like record labels. Try to understand how the minds of label owners and label scouts work. If you were the CEO of a record company, what would you look out for in your artistes? As a passionate musician, you are probably concerned about your “music”. That is not the case with record labels. They are concerned about their “business”. If you are not seen by them as a potential good investment, you stand absolutely no chance of getting signed. So how do you project yourself as a potential “good investment”?

It all begins with running your music career as a business. Look at the major businesses around you and observe that their main concern is their image. Image is everything in business, more so in the entertainment industry. Make sure you keep physically fit and start gradually to build up a media image. However, there is a word of caution here. Don’t be all up in their faces, as record company scouts and representatives detest that; and who would blame them for that? They get lots of demo CDs, emails, text messages, phone calls etc from many music hopefuls every day. Naturally, they are bound to be fed up with that approach.

Try using the indirect approach. Send singles to radio stations for airplay, send press releases to websites, do free shows wherever you have the opportunity etc Soon the record labels cannot help but notice you without you even going to them.

You also need to make your whole team and portfolio appear professional. You need a freelance manager, a legal representative etc, and make sure you always have something on the airwaves. That way, you can establish a media image.

Do not forget, however, that the quality and uniqueness of your music as well as your work rate plays a part too. No label would sign a sloppy artist no matter how vibrant your media image is.

To do these things on a consistent rate without major label money behind you can be somewhat expensive. That’s why we have developed products that can help you produce yourself and thus eliminate production costs. Check them out: Zero Naira Music Production and Beat Making Recipe 101.

Finally, this article is meant to add to other pieces of advice you’ve received so far on this subject; and will help you advance your career in the Nigerian Music industry. Work on them and we wish you the best of luck in your career here at Sita Sound Academy.