A new era is dawning for the Nigerian music industry, Energize Music, under the visionary leadership of CEO Tochukwu Macfoy, known as Dr. FOY, is set to transform the landscape of family and gospel music.
The label is a creative hub designed to foster innovation and creativity, embodying Dr. FOY's vision of "the label of the future." A pivotal moment in Energize Music's journey is its strategic partnership with Orchard, a subsidiary of Sony Music. This collaboration promises to elevate the label's distribution capabilities, providing a platform to reach a global audience.
Lanre Masha, director of African operations for Orchard, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, highlighting the significant strides Energize Music has made in the gospel music space. "I’m excited for this new venture between Energize and Orchard; they’ve done amazing work in the Christian music space and I’m particularly excited about what they’re trying to accomplish with clean family music", he said.
Energize Music draws from the country's rich musical traditions while pushing its influence beyond borders. Artistes like TY Bello and Greatman Takit showcase the label's capacity to make an impact on international charts, spanning from Lagos to London and São Paulo.
Their music transcends cultural and linguistic barriers, delivering messages of hope and empowerment to a global audience. Emmanuel Abadi, Head of Tech and Products at Energize, underscores the critical role of technology in the label's future. "We are leveraging technology to stay ahead and bring our artists' visions to life". he asserts. This forward-thinking approach ensures that Energize Music remains at the cutting edge of the industry, utilizing innovative tools and platforms to enhance their reach and impact.
Teniola Akanni, Head of Legal and Admin, ensures that the company's foundation is robust, fostering sustainable growth. Her role is crucial in navigating the complexities of the music industry, ensuring that the label's operations are legally sound and strategically positioned for long-term success. While specific upcoming projects remain under wraps, the anticipation is high. The long-term impact of this partnership is envisioned to be transformative for the gospel music industry. Energize Music aims to inspire growth within the gospel space, encouraging other stakeholders to take bold steps and fostering a supportive community.
Dr. FOY's vision is clear: to inspire, uplift, and energize through music that transcends boundaries. With a talented roster and a steadfast commitment to excellence, Energize Music is poised to redefine the future of family and gospel music, one song at a time.
Excel Joab, Head of Music at Energize, in an interview with TurnTable emphasized the significance of the partnership and outlined plans for the artistes signed under the label. He stressed the importance of maintaining excellent music quality, a standard that is central to the label's ethos of artist development and production.
TTC:: Can you elaborate on the key reasons for partnering with The Orchard? What specific benefits do you anticipate from this collaboration?
EXCEL: Energize Music seeks to impact the music industry with a focus on Christian and family-led content. To achieve this, we needed a global partner that shares our vision, and we found that in Orchard.
TTC: How do you envision this partnership revolutionizing gospel music? Are there any particular innovations or changes you're aiming to implement?
EXCEL: The quality of the music coming out of the gospel space is world-class. Our plan is to build on what already exists, develop new talents, and push African gospel music to the global stage.
TTC: How does this partnership enhance the reach and impact of gospel music both locally and internationally?
EXCEL: This partnership positions us properly in the industry, giving us a shot at exporting amazing global-worthy talents from Africa.
TTC: Are there any specific strategies you plan to use to promote gospel music through The Orchard’s distribution network?
EXCEL: We will use community building, talent development, proper A&Ring, and the marketing resources that come with having Orchard as a partner.
TTC: How do you plan to support and develop emerging gospel artists under this new partnership?**
EXCEL: By providing a great framework for distribution and artist development, we are raising the stakes with the level of support Energize will be providing for gospel artists.
TTC: Can you share any upcoming projects or releases that will be a part of this new phase for Energize Music?
EXCEL: You’ll have to wait and see.
TTC: What challenges do you anticipate in this partnership, and how do you plan to address them?
EXCEL: The state of both the global and Nigerian economies affects us all. Navigating these challenges as a business is something we are prepared to face.
TTC: How do you measure the success of this partnership, and what metrics will you use to evaluate its impact?**
EXCEL: We will measure success by the growth of the gospel space as a whole. With this partnership, we believe we can demonstrate that growth is possible and inspire others in the industry.