Tiwa Savage of the Supreme Mavin Dynasty (SMD) was present at the Nigerian Entertainment Conference, and went hard on Nigerian On Air Personalities (OAPs) saying Nigerian artistes have to beg them to play their songs.

The singer was among a 7-member panel which deliberated on ‘Content Marketing: The Power of Music, Comedy & More’.

While speaking on difficulties many Nigerian artistes go through in order to promote their content, Savage said, “I was in the UK recently. They have people called ‘Music Pluggers’. These people are professionals who help artistes plug their songs on radio and also ensure that the songs get enough airplay.

“But here in Nigeria, we artistes have to take our CDs to radio stations ourselves. We tend to build relationships with OAPs and DJs. We always ensure that we send messages to them on their birthdays because many of us believe that if we don’t do that, they might not play our songs.

“I don’t think Rihanna has to know the OAP or the DJ on a breakfast show before getting airplay. I think we need those middle men that will be handling our music promotion.”

While Tiwa’s words are true, her honesty may have already earned her trouble with OAPs who are like demigods to recording artistes as she duly noted.

Tiwa, Bovi and BankyW at the conference

The session was moderated by renowned music video director, Kemi Adetiba. Others on the panel included popular dancer, Kafayat ‘Kaffy’ Shafau, Project Fame Content Director, Nkiru Njoku, EME Records boss, Banky W, CEO Spot Studio UK, Sebastian Paszek, GM Consumer Marketing, MTN, Richard Iweanoge.