It’s rare to see a woman become very successful in the music industry in Nigeria, but Isioma Nwaroucha has done that at a very young age.
Exquisite Magazine decided to have a private interview with her to share her success nuggets. Do have an interesting read!
EM- TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF
My name is Isioma Nwaroucha, Born and bred in Lagos, I am a member of one of Africa’s foremost music-producing mega houses, Chocolate City Group, where I am positioned as the Head of Promotions.
Having been active in the music industry for almost a decade at age 26, I have worked with many notable names in the field of show business such as Ckay, M.I Abaga, Blaqbonez, Lax, and currently managing one of Nigeria’s top producer-turned-artist; Young Jonn.
EM- HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN THIS FIELD?
I’ve been active in the music industry for 10 years, first started out managing a solo artist and then interned under Wizkid’s DJ at the time, we were both at City FM, and this was a few years before I started working with Chocolate City.
EM- WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO GO INTO THIS FIELD?
I love music and really wanted to be in the music business, so this has always been a passion for me. There’s been this attraction to the music process and wanting to be involved in music from a very young age, but I doubt I would be doing anything else.
EM- TIPS ON HOW YOU STARTED?
I remember being very confident at the start about the act of managing, that confidence combined with being able to identify good music gave me a platform to push whatever product I was selling.
EM- YOU ARE A FORCE TO RECKON WITH IN THE SOCIETY, HOW DID YOU GROW TO THIS LEVEL?
Consistency is key. When you put in the work, it’s steady growth. No one becomes a success overnight, I’ve been consistent and that has helped me get to this point.
EM: HOW DO YOU DEFINE SUCCESS?
Success for me is bringing out the best in talent, taking them from relative unknown to global superstars and making them a household name, hearing music that we’ve worked on played everywhere is a surreal feeling.
EM: IF YOU HAD THE CHANCE TO START YOUR CAREER OVER AGAIN, WHAT WOULD YOU DO DIFFERENTLY?
I’m not sure how I would answer this question and all the decisions made before led me to this path, so I doubt I’ll change anything.
EM- EVERY BUSINESS-MINDED SUCCESSFUL PERSON HAS A STORY, WHAT CHALLENGES DID YOU FACE?
At the start people used to look down on me, so I had to work twice as hard and being confident in myself helped me get through that. There’s also the situation of being a lady in a male-dominated industry, having to work twice as hard to be taken seriously.
EM- WHAT SETS YOU APART?
Being able to identify the quality of the product and believing in the talent, other people see it as a money thing first, but the talent is equally if not more important.
EM- YOU ARE AN INSPIRATION TO MANY, WHO/WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
Growing up, I always had a set goal in mind and already knew what I wanted to do. I wouldn’t pick or identify a certain person as an inspiration but I do have a tight-knit circle of confidants that keep me in check and I have them to thank for that.
EM- WHAT MOTIVATES YOU?
The idea that the artist I manage has the chance to be the biggest artist in the world is the biggest motivation, with the current global exposure our industry is getting, you know for a fact that the sky is the limit.
EM- IF YOU WERE TO WRITE A BOOK ABOUT YOURSELF WHAT WOULD BE THE TITLE?
The Little Girl with Zero Fear.
EM- PLEASE KINDLY SHARE SOME OF YOUR SECRETS TO BECOMING SUCCESSFUL WITH EM.
Believing in the product
Knowing who you are
Confidence
EM- WHAT ADVICE WILL YOU GIVE TO YOUTHS WITH THE ZEAL TO GROW?
Keep doing what you want to do, even though you wouldn’t make money initially you’re growing and in the nearest future you’ll get better and your dreams will come true.
EM- PLEASE SHARE CONTACT DETAILS
My Instagram is @esiomah
