Tamunotonye Soipiriala Adonye Ibiama (born 29 September 1974),[1][2] commonly known as Tonye Ibiama or Big T[3] is a UK-based Nigerian music executive, talent manager, and businessman. He is the founder and CEO of Grafton Entertainment, he has helped launch the careers of many artists including De Indispensables, M Trill, Idahams,[4] Tha IBZ, and Mr. 2Kay.[5]
Tonye Ibiama | |
|---|---|
| Born | 29 September 1974 |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Other names | Big T |
| Occupations | |
| Known for | Grafton Entertainment |
| Title | Label executive |
Early life
editIbiama grew up primarily in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.[6]
Career
editIn 2004, he founded Grafton Entertainment, and announced the signing of its first recording acts: De Indispensables, M Trill, and record producer Slim Burna within the space of 4 years from 2004 to 2008. Within 2008-2009, a stand-up comedian Prince Hezekiah joined its roaster. In 2009, Tha IBZ joined its artist roaster. In 2010, Mr 2Kay, and Big Mouf joined its artist roaster. In 2011, J-Boy joined its artist roaster. In 2016, Idahams joined the label, as an in-house producer and is primarily known for Mr 2Kay's "God Can Bless Anybody".
In 2019, Tonye's music recording company Grafton Entertainment partnered with Nigeria LNG to host a football tournament in the Bonny Island, to discover, develop, and empower the next Nigerian football star from Bonny Island.[7] In the same year, Grafton Entertainment partnered with Universal Music Group flagship in West Africa, Universal Music Group Nigeria to distribute, and market Idahams's extended play albums Amayanabo, released globally on 5 July 2019 and Man On Fire, released globally on 12 June 2020.[8]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Director Summary". Company Check. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
- ^ "Grafton's CEO Throws A Superb Birthday Bash". PHCityMusic. 12 October 2011. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
- ^ Adebola, Bolatito (22 November 2019). "Tonye Ibiama's Undying Love For Youths". Independent Newspaper Nigeria. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
- ^ "Grafton Signs New Act". Thisday. 24 March 2008. Archived from the original on 15 May 2008. Retrieved 17 September 2014 – via The Wayback Machine.
- ^ "Mr. 2Kay Releases Official Video for 'Bubugaga Remix'". Premium Times. 19 October 2013. Retrieved 17 September 2014 – via AllAfrica.com.
- ^ The Company
- ^ "Tonye Ibiama: Why We Partnered NLNG for Sports - THISDAYLIVE". www.thisdaylive.com. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
- ^ "Idahams Signs Deal With Universal Music Group, Drops "Billion Dollar"". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 8 November 2019. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
External links
edit
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