Ghanaian music has seen a surge in popularity in Nigeria, with collaborations between the two industries extending beyond movies into music. This growing alliance has led to refreshing musical innovations, and one standout example is Black Sherif’s collaboration with Fireboy DML on the track “So it Goes.” The “So it Goes” single off his upcoming second studio album, IRON BOY, debuted at No. 12 on the Official Nigeria Top 100 and has quickly gained momentum, pivoting to No. 10 in just two weeks with a total of 1.5 million on-demand streams.

This marks Black Sherif’s second Top 10 hit on the Nigerian charts. His first, the breakthrough song “Kwaku The Traveller,” debuted at No. 1 and spent an impressive 32 weeks on the Official Nigeria Top 100. Known for his unique blend of highlife and drill rap, Black Sherif first gained attention with “First Sermon” in 2021. However, it was “Kwaku The Traveller” (2022) that propelled him to international fame, earning him recognition for his bold and genre-defying sound. Beyond his solo success, Black Sherif has also made notable collaborations, including his feature on ODUMODUBLVCK’s “WOTOWOTO SEASONING,” which peaked at No. 21 on the charts.

The rise of “So it Goes” into the Top 10 has not only solidified Black Sherif’s presence in Nigeria’s music scene but also earned his manager, Aubrey Mensah, the Executive of the Week title.

In this exclusive interview with TurnTable Charts, Aubrey shares insights into his journey as a music executive, managing Black Sherif’s rising career, the story behind the Fireboy DML collaboration, and details on Black Sherif’s highly anticipated IRON BOY album.

TTC: Hello, Aubrey. Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

Aubrey: Hi! I’m a Ghanaian music executive, artiste manager, and A&R. I manage Black Sherif and Exo Xan, overseeing everything from their music releases to creative direction. I started at Boomplay Music Ghana as a Content Acquisition Executive before being promoted to Head of Content Acquisition, a role I held from 2020 to 2022. Since then, I’ve been leading the team at RBA, where we work collectively to shape artistes’ careers and help them build a global presence while staying true to their artistry. Beyond music, I’m also a father, which keeps me grounded and motivated in everything I do.

TTC: You’ve been in the music scene for a while now. What led you to artiste management and how have you found the role so far?

Aubrey: My journey started with a deep love for music and an interest in discovering and shaping talent. Over time, I realised that beyond just making great music, artistes need proper direction and structure to reach their full potential. That’s what led me to management. So far, it’s been an incredible journey, challenging but rewarding. Seeing artistes I work with break boundaries and achieve milestones makes it all worth it.

TTC: You’ve been named our Executive of the Week as Black Sherif’s “So it Goes” featuring Fireboy DML has climbed to No. 10 on the Official Nigeria Top 100 chart for the first time since 2022. That’s a significant milestone! How did the song and this collaboration with Fireboy DML present itself?

Aubrey: When I started working with Blacko in 2020, Fireboy was one artiste he truly admired. From that moment, we knew a collab was in sight, we just had to make sure it was the right record. Then “So it Goes” happened. We knew it had a deep message, and Fireboy was the perfect artiste to complement the record. The collaboration occurred organically as both artistes respect each other’s artistry. This milestone means a lot because it shows how far the music is reaching. Seeing it climb the charts now is proof of how powerful good music can be. Major shoutout to Mobolaji Kareem of EMPIRE and Fireboy & his team for their tremendous efforts in making this song a success.

TTC: How did you first start working with Black Sherif, and what has the journey been like managing such an accomplished talent?

Aubrey: I started working with Black Sherif during his early days; just before he put out “Destiny.” What stood out to me was his authenticity —he had a raw, unique sound and a compelling story to tell. The journey has been incredible, from breakout moments like “First Sermon” to the release of The Villain I Never Was, and now gearing up for his sophomore album. Managing him has been both exciting and demanding because he constantly pushes creative boundaries, and my role is to help shape and amplify that vision on a global scale.

TTC: Black Sherif recently announced his sophomore album, IRON BOY. How is the project coming along, and what role have you played in bringing it to life?

Aubrey: Yes! IRON BOY is coming along beautifully. It’s a deeply personal project for Black Sherif, reflecting his growth as an artiste and storyteller. At RBA, we operate as a team, and every aspect of this album has been a collaborative effort. From shaping the sound to working closely with producers, refining the creative direction, and executing a strong rollout strategy, everyone has played a crucial role. We’re all excited about how the project is coming together, and I believe fans will be blown away by what we’ve created as a team.

TTC: With the album on the horizon, should fans expect any more singles before the full release? Also, are there any upcoming tours, concerts, or promotional events to anticipate?

Aubrey: Without giving too much away, I can say that fans should definitely stay tuned! There’s a lot of exciting content and possibly more music before the full project drops. We’re also working on plans for shows and activations around the album, so the experience will be bigger than just the music. Black Sherif is an artiste who thrives in live performances, so there’s a lot to look forward to.