Abiodun Osikoya, popularly known as Bizzle Osikoya, is a Nigerian record label executive, talent manager, film producer, and sound engineer.[1] He is the co-founder of The Plug (whose subsidiaries include The Plug Entertainment, The Plug Music, and Plug Sports) and The Block Party Series. In June 2022, Bizzle joined the Recording Academy class of 2022, as a professional member.[2]
Bizzle Osikoya | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Abiodun Osikoya |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Alma mater | |
| Occupations | |
| Years active | 2010–present |
| Known for | Plug Entertainment |
| Board member of | The Plug |
Early life
editAbiodun Osikoya was born in Nigeria and raised between Lagos, London, and Birmingham.[3] He had his primary education in Lagos and his secondary education in Lagos and Birmingham, before proceeding to study Music Business in Liverpool for his tertiary education, where he graduated with a B.Sc. in Music Business from the University of Liverpool, and SAE Institute in Liverpool. His interest led him into studying sound engineering at SAE in Liverpool and film production at Digital Film Academy in New York.[4]
Career
editHe began his career at Storm 360 Records as Naeto C's road manager,[5] and later joined Mo' Hits Records, where he worked with Wande Coal, Dr SID, Tiwa Savage, and Davido.[6] In 2012, he joined Mavin Records as an A&R, and was responsible for Mavin's compilation album Solar Plexus and Reekado Banks studio album SPOTLIGHT,[7] before he resigned from the label in 2016.[8]
In 2016, he founded B Entertainment, which he later merged with Asa Asika imprint StarGaze Entertainment, to establish The Plug. On 18 December 2016, he lost the prize for New Media, at The Future Awards Africa to Tosin "OloriSuperGal" Ajibade.[9] On 17 December 2022, he joined Nigeria recording chart company TurnTable charts, as one of its executives, alongside Oye Akideinde.[10]
He also served as an A&R executive on Oxlade's debut ep Oxygene and Alpha P's debut ep King of the Wolves.[6] He worked on BOJ and Ajebutter22 collaborative album Make E No Cause Fight 2.[7] Bizzle has also helped launch the careers of many famous Nigerian Afrobeat, Afropop, R&B and alté musicians including Oxlade, Tomi Agape, Alpha P, Vict0ny, and Tems.[5][7]
References
edit- ^ Chidera, Muoka (10 February 2016). "Bizzle: The Infamous Mogul". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 October 2022.
- ^ Grein, Paul (29 June 2022). "Recording Academy Issues Invitations to Over 2,000 New Voting Members". Billboard. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
- ^ Porbeni, Beatrice (18 October 2017). "Bizzle In London". The Guardian. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
- ^ "Five facts you didn't know about A&R, Bizzle Osikoya". Vanguard. 3 November 2021. Retrieved 26 September 2022.
- ^ a b Oriowo, Ayomide (1 January 2022). "Asa Asika & Bizzle Are Creating a Legacy With The Plug". TurnTable. Archived from the original on 1 January 2022. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
- ^ a b Bassey, Rosemary (29 May 2021). "Talent is never enough – Bizzle Osikoya". Daily Trust. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
- ^ a b c Johnson-Omodiagbe, Conrad (6 August 2020). "Interview: Bizzle Osikoya Is the A&R Shaping the Voice of a New Generation". OkayAfrica. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
- ^ Showemimo, Adedayo (25 May 2016). "Popular promoter Bizzle Osikoya parts ways with Don Jazzy's Mavin". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
- ^ "And The Nominees Are… The Future Awards Africa Unveils Those In The Running For Africa's Biggest Prize For Youth…". The Future Awards Africa. 22 February 2022. Archived from the original on 22 February 2022. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
- ^ Adebiyi, Adeayo (1 January 2022). "Oye Akideinde & Bizzle Osikoya Join TurnTable Charts in Executive Roles". TurnTable. Archived from the original on 1 January 2022. Retrieved 22 August 2022.