Music as most of us know has been described as food for the soul. The african afrobeats has been one of the genres trending worldwide as top arts like Wizkid, Davido and Burna Boy has made the continent so proud. Record labels sprung up managing various artists and pushing them to the very top of their careers. In Nigeria, the name Mavin Records has become a household name just as the label boss Don Jazzy himself.
Just as the Mavin boss has been pivotal in the progress of many A-List super stars, Awin Williams aka Zaddy Williams is another music lover based in Germany who can be likened to the veteran Mavin boss. The founder and CEO of Britts World Entertainment has been all about pushing up and coming musicians to the very top of the business. Since it’s inception in 2015, Britts World Entertainment has been putting the Nigerian Music and African entertainment in the world map.
Our team ran on to him at the Airport and we couldn’t ask for anything more than an interview with us. Below is an excerpt from the interview.
Thank you for talking to us sir. Can we meet you?
My names is Awin Williams. I am from Delta State, Nigeria but I am based in Germany. I am the CEO of Britts World Entertainment Germany/Nigeria.
Britts World Entertainment Is gradually gaining grounds in Nigeria. When was it formed?
2015 but it became official in 2016.
What made you decide you wanted to own a label?
In 2016 I travelled down to Nigeria to book D’banj for a tour across Europe shortly after I finished touring with Iyanya. I spent days and resources in Lagos waiting for D’banj’s manager (a lady) at that time. She frustrated all my efforts for a week and at the end, I wasn’t able to get across to D’Banj. Because of the stress she made me go through, one of my boys back then tapped me and was like, “you got the contacts and the money for the game why don’t you sign your own artist instead of coming here to Nigeria and someone is making you feel like you have to beg”. That was when it dawned on me that it’s time I set up my own brand, that was how Britts World Entertainment came into existence.
There are many businesses out there you would have invested your money on abroad. Why did you choose entertainment and music particularly?
Wooo.. The thing is passion. I have so much passion for music and promoting the Nigerian Music Industry has always been my dream. I studied in Malaysia and then moved to Germany after my studies. On getting to Germany, I got a job and started working but I knew there was something missing. I was missing the kind of life I was living in Malaysia. Back in Malaysia, we introduced the entertainment industry. I was one of the guys who brought 2Face Idibia to the country for the first time in 2010 or so. I was also part of the team that brought Duncan Mighty and Timaya to club Titanium managed by our guy Bruno in Malaysia then. I was also organizing shows in my University back then. I delved into pageantry and introduced Miss Africa Legenda in Malaysia. I remember we asked 2Face on that day of the pageant to come to the school for a photo shoot but unfortunately for us, he couldn’t make it as he needed to catch a flight to New York to join Wyclef then. Omo e don tail oo life…. laughs!
What does Britts World Entertainment do?
Britts world entertainment is a Record Label and Concert Management Agency. I Manage and also promote the artists. It’s my company so I practically do everything in the label from planning to execution and financing. It’s an all round management for me.
How many Nigerian Artists have you worked with?
I have worked with Kcee, Diamond Platnumz, Bracket, R2bees, Iyanya, Mr Ibu and others. In 2015, Britts World Entertainment organized their first music concert where we invited Kcee and others to perform in Germany. I have also invited the likes of Diamond Platnumz, Iyanya and veteran nollywood comic actor John Okafor a.k.a Mr Ibu to various shows and concerts we organized in Germany.
How many artists have you signed to Britts World Entertainment?
Wooo! We so far have signed 8 Artists officially but currently we have just two. We have to let others go with time as they are tired of waiting for success. You can’t force fame. If money could buy it many people will pay for it but it’s God that can make you a star and not man even if you spend millions. That is something I came to realize with time so I have to let those who said they want to go free. They don’t even have the money to pay me back according to their contract. You can’t fight people who have no money to pay you back your money. Entertainment is risky.
Who are the two artists still signed to your label?
Officially we still have Pius Ewulu (TPlan) who hails from Anambra State and Stephen Akinola Beckley (Nola.B) from Osun State, both in Lagos.
Any project by any of your artist?
Well TPlan have about 10 Singles and Nola B who was one half of the defunct group Pure Boiz did about 10 to 12 singles and also featured Skales on one of the singles titled Bombay. We didn’t shoot a video for the song featuring Skales because the song didn’t really have reception. Just last year, TPlan dropped a song titled FALIPUPA featuring Mr Real. That song is doing very well in the market already but due to covid-19 outbreak, we haven’t really found time for the video. We have Videos from TPlan and Nola.B on YouTube and on various TV stations right now. We also just released the video for Nola.B’s new single titled SWEET LOVE. That video was shot two weeks ago and it’s already on 8 Nigerian Tv Stations at the moment. The video has also generated lots of views on YouTube. It’s a great song and people love it from the reception we getting on Sweet Love.
What is your next move for Britts World Entertainment, any upcoming project?
Well for now we are promoting the new video we just drop two weeks ago. We have to make sure it becomes successful by God’s grace. Soonest, we will be doing more radio and tv tours plus a bit of campus and club tours too. As you all know, the outbreak of coronavirus has slowed down lots of things at the moment. Many facilities haven’t really started business because of the covid19. So our main aim is to use this time to introduce our brand and music to people all over the world and hopefully, we get more fans to support Britts world Entertainment.
You made mention of organizing a pageant, are you also into modelling and pageantry? Tell us about it…
Yes, Britts World Entertainment is a record label and concert management agency, so we do organize our our shows and events. The pageant is for us to promote culture and lifestyle.
Where do you see yourself and Britts World Entertainment in the next 5 years?
Wooo! We can only hope on God who knows tomorrow but we will accept how far God can take us . We have a lot of plans but I will prefer to leave things for God to Pilot.
Are you looking out to sign more artists in the nearest future?
No, not at the moment. I want to concentrate on trying to push the two of them to the top. Once I am done pushing them and I am satisfied with their growth, then I will created space for more artists.
How can Britts World Entertainment be contacted?
You can contact us via our instagram pages.
INSTAGRAM
@tplan_official
@official_nolab
@dezaddywilliams @brittsmanagement, @brittsworldpromotion
Twitter:
@wordbritts
Any last word to your fans, artists and record label owners?
For the fans check out our songs and watch the videos. Follow us on our social media pages and expect more as we grow. For artists out there continue working hard ans never give up, success is never a day job. My advice for record label owners is that they should not give up. I know the industry is not easy but if you give up then many talents will be left untapped. Music business is very expensive many artist can’t afford it so we need to keep supporting them as a label but make sure you have your contract to guide you.
Nice talking with you sir….
The pleasure is all mine.