Audu Maikori – Chocolate City CEO
Chocolate City chief executive, Audu Maikori, has announced he is stepping down in June. The 40 year old entrepreneur is stepping down after leading the record label company for ten years.
According to him, his decision was based on the need to further strengthen the company and allow for the injection of new ideas into the system. He however did not reveal who will replace him.
“I have headed Chocolate City for the past ten years,” he said on Wednesday at the Nigerian Entertainment Conference held at Eko Hotel & Suites, Lagos Nigeria, “and it has been the most amazing period of my life despite the many challenges that came with it. There were times, I would get home and wished I wouldn’t have to go to work the next day. Some other times, artistes will need money and even though unavailable, we still have to find a way.
“At this point I have decided to step down as CEO of Chocolate City to allow for the younger generation to steer the ship. My resignation takes effect from June, but I won’t disclose who will take over from me until then,” he said.
Recently, Chocolate City announced its merger with Loopy Music, a record label owned by musician MI. The merger will see Chocolate City releasing a compilation of albums that will be released exclusively on STAR Music App.
His announcement came shortly after one of the label’s super stars, MI had spoken explicitly about why record labels will continue to operate in the industry for a long time to come,
‘At Chocolate City, we have adopted what I will like to call the “360 deal” approach. This caters for the artiste as a brand in totality and seeks to promote and better his craft, sales, management, endorsement as well as appeal to fans, rather than just sell his albums’
The record label has had Maikori chair its affairs since it was founded in 2005 and presently boasts well over 10 artistes including MI, Ice Prince, Jesse Jagz, Ruby Gyang, Nosa, Victoria Kimani, Loose Kaynon, DJ Caise, DJ Lambo and others.