Afropolitan

The Harsh Truth About Nigeria’s Music Industry Fame Betrayal And Building Billion Naira Businesses

16 Sep 2025

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The Harsh Truth About Nigeria’s Music Industry Fame Betrayal And Building Billion Naira Businesses Guest: Ubi Franklin, Music Executive & Founder of Made Men Music Group (Triple MG) What does it really take to build stars in Nigeria’s music industry? In this explosive episode, Ubi Franklin opens up on the business of Afrobeat, how he discovered Tekno, built Kukere into a national anthem with Iyanya, and why the music business is more volatile than real estate or oil. From negotiating shows with Davido, to losing money on failed deals, to why “contracts don’t guarantee loyalty,” Ubi shares the unfiltered truth about fame, betrayal, and survival in Africa’s most competitive industry. In this episode: → Why music is the riskiest but most rewarding business in Africa → How Ubi Franklin built Triple MG and discovered Tekno → The untold story of Kukere and Iyanya’s rise → Why Nigerian banks won’t fund entertainment → The danger of one hit songs → Loyalty, betrayal, and why contracts don’t protect you → Ubi’s friendships with Davido, Kiss Daniel, and Tekno → Why friendship is worth more than transactions → His advice for young men navigating fame, women, and relationships Want to connect 1:1 with Africa's boldest thinkers? Book a 15-minute convo on Convo (https://convo.vip/ with leaders like Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, Asa Asika, and more. Follow Ubi Franklin Listen to more Afropolitan Podcast episodes:* YouTube link - https://www.youtube.com/@Afropolitan Spotify Link - https://open.spotify.com/show/6YwRlkSOq8e35xU6bOp9pU?si=b3a132f9afb3459f&nd=1&dlsi=32c01e3224ac4c64 Apple Link - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/afropolitan/id1808954585 Hosted by Eche — https://www.linkedin.com/in/eemole/ Chika — https://www.linkedin.com/in/chikauwazie/ Stay connected with Afropolitan Twitter: https://x.com/afropolitan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afropolitanpodcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/afropolitannation/ YouTube Chapters – Ubi Franklin on Afropolitan Podcast 00:00 – Intro: Reinvention, Risk & The Cost of Staying Visible 01:30 – The Business of Entertainment in Africa 05:20 – Why Nigerian Banks Don’t Invest in Music 10:00 – Building TripleMG & Afrobeat’s First Global Push 14:00 – Documenting Iyanya’s Historic 31-City Tour 19:30 – Why Banks Still Don’t Understand Music Catalogs 23:00 – The Structure Problem with Nigerian Entertainers 25:00 – Starting Out: From Julius Agwu’s PA to Running a Studio 30:00 – The Making of Kukere: Hustle, Generators & Breakthroughs 33:20 – From Failed Papers to Bitcoin: An Unexpected Pivot 38:00 – Launching Instant Pickup, Instant Apartment & Early Startups 40:15 – When Nigeria Happened: Business Losses & Hard Lessons 44:40 – Walking Away from Debt & Finding Peace 48:30 – Why Artists Can’t Stay Hot Forever 50:30 – The Big 3: Davido, Wizkid, Burna Boy & Breaking Into Their League 56:00 – How Music Used to Spread: From Alaba to the Diaspora 58:40 – The Flavor Blueprint: Staying Relevant Without Being ‘Big 3’ 1:03:00 – Understanding Your Market: Flavor, Chike & Small Doctor 1:08:00 – Inside Davido’s Malibu Camp & How Hits Are Born 1:12:00 – Nigeria Will Happen to You: Culture, Corruption & Everyday Chaos 1:18:00 – Why Most Artists Don’t Build Relationships That Matter 1:22:00 – The New Music Economy: Influencers, Distribution & Global Reach 1:27:00 – Why Consistency Beats Hype: Lessons for Young Artists 1:32:00 – Flavor, Chike & Ethnic Markets: The Power of Knowing Your Base 1:38:00 – Building Resilience After Business & Personal Setbacks 1:44:00 – Nigeria vs. Government vs. People: Who Really Holds Us Back? 1:50:00 – Advice on Relationships, Decisions & Longevity 1:55:00 – Who Ubi Wants to See Next on Afropolitan Podcast

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3ª PARTE | 17 DIC 2025 | EL PARTIDAZO DE COPE

01 Jan 1970

El Partidazo de COPE

13:00H | 21 DIC 2025 | Fin de Semana

01 Jan 1970

Fin de Semana

12:00H | 21 DIC 2025 | Fin de Semana

01 Jan 1970

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10:00H | 21 DIC 2025 | Fin de Semana

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13:00H | 20 DIC 2025 | Fin de Semana

01 Jan 1970

Fin de Semana

12:00H | 20 DIC 2025 | Fin de Semana

01 Jan 1970

Fin de Semana

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Afropolitan

The Harsh Truth About Nigeria’s Music Industry Fame Betrayal And Building Billion Naira Businesses

This episode hasn't been transcribed yet

Other recent transcribed episodes

3ª PARTE | 17 DIC 2025 | EL PARTIDAZO DE COPE

13:00H | 21 DIC 2025 | Fin de Semana

12:00H | 21 DIC 2025 | Fin de Semana

10:00H | 21 DIC 2025 | Fin de Semana

13:00H | 20 DIC 2025 | Fin de Semana

12:00H | 20 DIC 2025 | Fin de Semana

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