Nigerian music executive Ubi Franklin has opened up about the complexities of managing artists, especially female acts, in the entertainment industry. Speaking on the Culture Sonic podcast, Ubi shared that both male and female artists often change drastically after becoming famous.
According to him, many artists are easier to guide when they are still chasing their first hit. However, after success comes, things usually change. “The only artist that can be controlled is the one that has not had a hit,” he said. He pointed out that a major issue for male artists is womanizing, while female artists also deal with distractions like promiscuity.
Ubi Franklin also shared a lesser-known challenge about managing female artists—pregnancy. He explained that pregnancy can derail an artist’s progress, especially if her career isn’t already stable. This is why he includes a no-pregnancy clause in contracts with female artists. “Just imagine that you invest money in a female artist, you’re pushing her to a certain level and then she gets pregnant—that’s over,” he explained.
He made it clear that he isn’t against motherhood but believes female artists should focus on building a solid foundation first. He argued that very few female artists in Nigeria have successfully returned to the spotlight after having a baby early in their careers.
The music executive also highlighted how expensive it is to build a successful artist. He revealed that it can cost up to ₦300 million to develop a star, and sometimes, the investment doesn’t yield profit. For Ubi, music is more than fun and fame—it’s serious business.
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