L.A.X, also known as Damilola Afolabi, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter who has made a name for himself in the Nigerian music industry with his unique blend of Afrobeat, R&B, and hip-hop. His collaboration with Wizkid, who signed him to his record label Starboy Record in 2013, has also contributed to his success.
Recently, L.A.X appeared on the Echo Room audiovisual podcast hosted by Quincy Jonze, where he revealed that his billionaire dad intervened on his contract with Wizkid’s Starboy Record when he was at the label. According to L.A.X, his deal with Starboy Record was a partnership and not a recording deal.
This write- up will discuss L.A.X’s journey to fame, his deal with Starboy Record, and how his dad’s intervention affected his career. We will also discuss the importance of partnerships in the music industry and the role of funding in the success of an artist’s career.
L.A.X’s Journey to Fame
L.A.X was born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria, and developed an interest in music at a young age. After completing his studies, he decided to pursue his passion for music and began performing at local events and parties.
In 2013, L.A.X caught the attention of Wizkid, who signed him to his record label, Starboy Record. This was a significant breakthrough for L.A.X, who had been struggling to make a name for himself in the highly competitive Nigerian music industry.
L.A.X’s Deal with Starboy Record
According to L.A.X, his deal with Starboy Record was a partnership and not a recording deal. This means that he had more control over his music and was not bound by the restrictions of a traditional record label.
L.A.X explained that his dad provided funds for his musical projects, and then his label boss, Wizkid, channeled the funds to the right marketing means. However, when L.A.X took the contract to his dad, he was not too thrilled about the signing process.
The Intervention of L.A.X’s Billionaire Dad
L.A.X’s dad was not too keen on signing the contract, and he advised his son to enter into a partnership with Wizkid instead. According to L.A.X, his dad believed that a partnership would be better for both parties as they would have more control over their music and would be free to do their thing after the partnership.
L.A.X’s dad provided the funds necessary for his son’s musical projects, and Wizkid helped to channel the funds towards the right marketing means. This partnership worked well for both parties, and L.A.X was able to gain more exposure in the Nigerian music industry.
Importance of Partnerships in the Music Industry
Partnerships are crucial in the music industry as they provide artists with the necessary support and resources to succeed in their careers. Partnerships can come in different forms, including record label deals, management deals, and publishing deals.
Record label deals provide artists with financial support, distribution channels, and marketing resources to help promote their music. Management deals provide artists with the necessary guidance and support to manage their careers effectively while publishing deals provide them with the necessary resources to monetize their music.
Funding and its Role in an Artist’s Career
Funding is also an essential factor in an artist’s career. It provides artists with the necessary resources to produce their music, record their music videos, and promote their music. Without funding, it would be challenging for artists to gain exposure in the music industry and succeed in their careers.
L.A.X’s journey in the Nigerian music industry has been a remarkable one. From his early days as a student at the Lagos State University to his big break with Wizkid’s Starboy Record label and his subsequent rise to fame as a solo artist, he has always remained true to his craft. His unique blend of Afrobeat, R&B, and Hip-hop has earned him a dedicated fan base in Nigeria and beyond.
L.A.X’s revelation about his contract with Starboy Record and the intervention of his billionaire father highlights the importance of family support and good business decisions in the music industry. It also emphasizes the role of partnerships and funding in the success of an artist’s career.
Partnerships and funding are crucial for artists to gain the necessary support and resources to succeed in their careers. Record label deals, management deals, and publishing deals provide artists with the necessary financial support, distribution channels, marketing resources, guidance, and support to manage their careers effectively and monetize their music.
Here is a new music video below of L.A.X titled Zaza
