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How Howie T’s Baseline Music signed 4 artistes in 3 months

– Plots to be a leading record label in Africa unveiled
Veteran show promoter, Bayo Odusami, famously known as Howie T has signed another fantastic artiste, Aramide into his Baseline Music, making her the fourth signee in less than three months.
Howie T and his partner, Dipo Abdul officially launched the record label in June, 2014, with the unveiling of fast rising female singer, Seun Oni, popularly known as Saeon and Mr. Chindo, a musician cum in-house producer.
The label keeps to its promises by signing another Nigerian rapper-singer, Raoul John Njeng-Njeng better known as Skales, barely a month later. Interestingly, the former EME label artiste, Skales’ new single, Shake Body, has been on the top music chart since he dropped the video visual for the song few weeks ago.
Welcome to Baseline Music, Howie T said, while speaking with E ENCOMIUM Weekly, stressing that, “this is just the beginning of good things to come from our label. Our plan is to be the leading record label in Africa, and right now, we have what it takes to achieve this dream.”
Describing the new act, Howie T said, “Aramide has great potentials. With her unique voice and talent, she has what it takes to bloom and expand in this industry. With her exceptional fusion of afro beat and soul music, she can surpass anything.”
ENCOMIUM Weekly findings revealed that the label is ready to invest heavily on the quartet, optimistic that they have what it takes to take the industry by storm. Within three months, nothing less than N50 million has been spent on the artistes, including shooting of Skales’ Shake Body and Give It To Me videos, official cars, houses and monthly allowance.

‘Signing to Baseline Music is an amazing thing to happen this year’ – Aramide
Discovering and nurturing of talents, among other reasons, made the afro-soul diva, Aramide to join Baseline last week when she was unveiled by the label boss. In an exclusive interview with ENCOMIUM Weekly, the musician spoke on her deal, among other issues.

Aramide
Aramide

Who is Aramide. Tell us more about yourself?
Aramide is my first name and my professional name as well. I am a performing and recording artiste; a songwriter and I also play the guitar. I grew up in Jos, Plateau State and had my entire education there. I studied Political Science at the University of Jos.
I started to write songs and poetry in secondary school. And the flair and passion got deeper. With time as I gained confidence, I started singing and also learnt how to play the guitar because it aided my song writing and made melodies easier to create. I listen to all genres of music but favourites are soul, jazz, country and hip-hop.
Your sojourn into music, how was it like?
My journey into music started at a young age. I wrote songs for the fun of it and particularly to express an emotion, be it excitement, sadness or whatever. Moving down to Lagos to pursue my music career was a huge step for me. I started performing at lots of open mic platforms such as Freedom-Hall and Taruwa. I got exposure from all these places. After putting out music online and radio and scouting here and there for recording labels, I got signed to Trybe Records. And I would say I’ve learnt a lot and it’s been an interesting and challenging journey so far. I’m currently with Baseline Music and there’s still so much more to achieve.
Tell us all the songs you’ve churned out, and the one(s) you’re promoting right now?
I have about five to six songs out now. They are entitled, It’s over- a piano laced ballad, ‘I don’t mind’, an up-tempo jazzy track and Feeling this feeling, a mid-tempo afro soul song. And I also have two covers, Davido’s Ekuro and eLDee’s Today Today. It’s over and Feeling This Feeling both have videos.
Feeling This Feeling is the latest one I am promoting for now. And I am also working on my album, but before that, I will drop singles.
How does it feel to be signed by Baseline Music?
Signing to Baseline Music is one of the amazing things to happen to me this year and I’m truly grateful for the opportunity.  And being in the midst of great minds couldn’t be better.
What inspired your decision to join the label?
During the discussion before I eventually signed, the management laid down their plans and I could see the impact already on the other artistes and was very optimistic to join the team and achieve greater success with them.
What is your unique selling point?
I like to say it is my voice and the African and soulful blend in my lyrics and my ability to play the guitar.
Aramide is a pretty singer. Will you consider your look as an advantage?
I believe that at the end of the day it all boils down to hard work and talent.
What are the things you can’t do as a female singer?
I know I can’t do anything that does not conform with my values as a person, and I can’t be someone else. I always have to be me and true to myself.
Plan to work with any artiste, either in Baseline, or outside?
Yes, I would love to work with a lot of artistes both in Baseline, and outside Baseline, Africa and outside the continent.
How would you describe the industry right now?
Our industry here in Nigeria has really grown and it’s amazing. The kind of music and creativity we churn out now is crazy and great. And things can only be better. There is enough music for everyone and a lot to select from. And there is always massive support from media and music lovers.

-RASHEED ABUBAKAR

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