the culture - kennis music

During the turn of the new decade, saw the emergence of what many call the foremost record label in Nigeria - KENNIS MUSIC. It was founded by Kenny Ogungbe & his best friend, Dayo Adeneye. From the onset, these two music lovers stormed and influenced the next era, of the Music Industry around 1999 - mid 2000’s. They instantly became household names around the hemisphere of music business in Lagos-Nigeria. Baba Keke & D1 were so good at what they did, they made their Kennis Music imprint a symbol of monopoly in the entertainment industry and smiled to the bank with every deal & milestones, that they reached.

These two geniuses can be regarded as ruthless business men with how they capitalized on certain relationships to thrive their record company. But the Art was never to be tampered with, at least not under Baba Keke’s watch. At a time that saw Nigerians still grooving to American Rap & Pop songs. Kennis Music took the risk to sign every talented artiste, music groups and bands, that they spotted on sight, and made them become instant success stories. There was a time the music and video charts were just all filled with musicians signed to Kennis Music. They evolved sporadically with their label structure that they impacted the music distribution system Nationwide. Baba Keke is often regarded as the man that broke up the defunct PlatashunBoiz group which launched 2Face’s career. But it was under the guidance of Keke Ogungbe that made him a global superstar. This took the level of Nigerian music to the heights, present in the Western World. Kennis Music was so solid, that it once had a roster of 10+ recording artistes. With talented Music Producers & Professional Song Writers that delivered stellar albums that rocked the music charts around Nigeria & beyond.

The passion that Mr. Ogungbe had for the Music industry at that time was highly needed to create a shift from the substandard music that was available around that time. The type of music, conversations & news about Nigeria needed an exciting direction and Baba Keke ticked all the boxes to ensure, these were essentially being achieved. Before festivals and concerts became a thing in Nigeria, there was the Kennis Music Easter Fiesta. This was the OG of musical showcases in Nigeria. Banky W, first announced Wizkid & Skales at the Kennis Music Easter Fiesta. This was such a huge statement that prompted the rest of Nigeria to fully keep an eye on the potential Star Boy Rockstar. Which could only have been made possible because of Kennis Music Platform.

Even before the era of major beefs in the music community, the rappers signed unto Kennis Music purely understood what it meant to transcend such anger among themselves, and turn it into healthy rivalries as they blessed us with nationwide hit records. There was the inhouse war between the rappers and singers on the Kennis music roster, that saw major hits been churned out to gather clout followership of their music family. Worthy mentions will be “Omode Meta Sere” which saw an unknown but highly regarded Tuface, take everyone to church while delivering a stellar hook to the song. Eedris Abdulkareem, was the rare breed that once stood up to the Global superstar 50cent who tried to make him feel small, in his home country. A trend center who composed two brilliant socially conscious songs, with “Mr Lecturer” & “Jaga Jaga” which were both released under the Kennis Music imprint. Baba Keke had the business acumen and fearless spirit to clear songs, that was going to make him to be politically incorrect, but was necessary in getting our type pf music to the next level.

Under the tutelage of Legendary Broadcaster - Raymond Dokpesi, Kennis Music was able to run the regular programming on tv with a music show - Primetime Jamz that was initially established to majorly showcase the music materials of all the artistes, signed under the record label. While running through with spreading the word, on the luxurious life of the showbiz in Nigeria. Baba Keke was able to produce footages of various intersections of engagements about Nigerian music From London & America. Under the AIT platform He also functioned as an OAP for Ray Power, where he often made his mark bystating his opinions about the music industry. This gave birth to Kennis Radio which is the direct platform to launch the next generation of Kennis Music artistes.

As all record labels go through struggling phases, they also went through theirs and never fully recovered. But Baba Keke & his Partner made a name for themselves in the rise of the Nigerian music industry during the last decade. Their ground work made huge developments for the current music industry we have today. And why our style of music is currently in demand. Their impact and structure made the music business in Nigeria to be regarded as an interesting aspect of theentertainment sector. The story never stops, as their journey will forever be in demand and the perfect case study, for the next generation of music labels pioneers in Nigeria.