One of my mentors Mr Martins (who I refer to as 'My Chairman') is many years shy of 50. He is a financial genius and a vault of wisdom accumulated by years traversing roads which I have only began to discover. He's the type the term 'Lagos Big boy' fits like a glove. He's humble to a fault and an all round great guy. Thinking about it, most of the really rich people I've met in Lagos are actually quite humble.
Chairman's only daughter Sade turned 10 on Monday. She is a sweet girl, born into privilege but with a no nonsense mother who keeps her grounded and devoid of the airs of entitlement prevalent among the kids of the super rich in Lagos. The IV came during the week.. pastel pink with the unmistakable touch of luxury, it might as well have been a hundred dollars, it certainly looked like one. Sade was having a 10th birthday party on Saturday.
As I drove to Ticklebay in Ikoyi I wondered how I'd kill hours at a 10 year old's birthday party. Would it be like the ones from my childhood with musical chairs and would cheap 'parcels' (I understand they're called party packs now)
I arrived, greeted my 'Chairman', his wife and hugged little Sade. Sitting next to Sade's grandfather, I listened to his didactic monologue about life and life lessons. I enjoy talking to old people, they seem to ramble on sometimes, but if you pay attention you could find gold.
After a 30 minute lecture I sat at Chairman's table, he was looking really excited , a proud father celebrating with his princess. I thought of the bond between fathers and daughters and wondered how different the world would be if parents only show their children this much love.
Two of his friends arrived, I apologised I hadn't seen him in a while and he brushed it aside, I got talking to the other two men on the table. We talked about work, how politicians are only available at 2.30 am in the morning and how they never sleep. I was asked by one of the guys what I did, I said I owned a record label and was into construction.
He prodded further so I told him I was also a recording and peforming artist. He asked for my stage name, once I told him it was DMSquared, I saw a twinkle in his eye; the look of one suprised to see a person who until seconds ago only existed in print or recorded material. 'So you are DMSqured?' I laughed 'yes'. It was a little satisfying to have some name recognition, alas someone was listening! He said he previously owned 'Tenth Code Media' a label/platform which housed Rooftop MCs during the 'Lagimo' days. He told me of the exciting times, the ups and downs of the industry and his currently divested focus. I learnt alot talking to him.
I later had a lengthy chat with Segun, one of the owners of EME records whose kids were also at the party. 'DM you are just one hit away, I love your material and you have a great fanbase', I wasnt so sure. I told him about the complexities of distribution and airplay and the need for better pluggers (people who make sure songs get airplay) in the industry. He agreed and told me they were working on something big. I remember him wanting to back out of the industry a couple of years ago and now with EME Artistes all over Nigerian and international airwaves, it's a very different story. He told me to keep my head up, my music was about spreading a message and no matter what it looks like I should keep at it. Nice one.
Later, alot of Chairman's friends arrived. It struck me how the men would occupy one table and their wives would occupy another, I found it really weird, were the topics of discussion of the men and their wives mutually exclusive?
As I sat down at the men's table we talked about Arsenal, Banks, politics, stocks nothing pretentious but rather they talked and I listened. These guys in their GWagons, Private Jets and speed boats as they spoke I thought of how it would be to live in their world.
Would I arrive at parties and send my wife to another table for a forced discussion with other yummy mummys? I made a couple of great contacts and felt intellectually stimulated. As I drove back that night I realised a 10 year old's party can actually be a great networking event and fuel for the road of the Lagos hustle.
To all the Big boys I met yesterday thanks for inspiring a young man! It's 2014, a brand new year full of great possibilities. if you can then I can!
