Nigeria: Chocolate City Music gets new CEO

Chocolate City Music is a subsidiary of the Audu Maikori and Paul Okeugo-founded Chocolate City Group, a 360 media and entertainment company that includes a music licensing company, management consulting firm and lounge. Based in Lagos, Abuja and Nairobi, the company also has operations in the UK, US, South Africa and Ghana. Chocolate City is currently in a partnership with Warner Music Group. The deal, which was announced in March 2019, involves the US-based entertainment and record label funding Chocolate City’s operations and using its extensive network to promote its artists.

Ugwu takes over from rapper MI Abaga, whose tenure as head of the label came to an end in March 2020 after 13 years. The rapper is credited with expanding the label’s scope and securing the signatures of CKay, Blaqbonez, ClassiQ and Yung L, among others.

“Chocolate City Music is dear to me,” Ugwu said. “It has helped shape who I am today. I’m excited to do the same in this position for others through initiatives that promote progress, collaboration and drive value for artists.”

Ugwu’s new role caps more than a decade of music industry experience, including producer and sound engineer credits on a number of Chocolate City projects and as the head of business development for the company in 2015. In 2019, he took up the role of vice-president of the Bean Creative Agency, a Lagos-based talent and digital marketing outfit.

“Mr Ugwu’s foundation in business and talent management and his creative insights are exactly what the company needs to thrive in the current fast-paced, digital global world of entertainment and lead Chocolate City Music into a new and rewarding era,” a Chocolate City statement reads.

Maikori said: “As one of the key pioneers of what is now known as the Afrobeat music, Chocolate City Music and its partners are poised to recreate a shift in how the music business is carried on for the mutual benefit and profit of both the artists and the labels. We believe Mr Ugwu is the right person to take the company to the next logical iteration.”

Paul Okeugo said: “For the past 15 years, Chocolate City has set the standard on what is achievable both artistically and business-wise in the country. We have full confidence Mr Ugwu will keep the tradition going.” 

“Mr Abuchi knows the music industry inside and out and I’m excited to see the amazing things he’s going to do,” Abaga added.