In an era where music streaming dominates and the past risks being forgotten, two visionaries are ensuring that Africa’s musical heritage not only endures but thrives. Chinwuba Kenechukwu Igbokwe and Chioma Ebubedike-Igbokwe, Esq.—the power couple behind Apex Entertainment—have continued to grab headlines for their efforts in redefining how legacy catalogues are preserved, monetised, and celebrated in Africa and beyond.
Chinwuba, son of the late African music legend, Dr Christy Essien Igbokwe, grew up surrounded by artistry and innovation. Once a music artist himself, he has since evolved into a respected producer and co-label owner. His profound understanding of music, combined with an instinct for artist development and production, has made him a trusted name in African entertainment.
For over 14 years, Chinwuba has shared both his life and business journey with Ebubedike-Igbokwe, a seasoned entertainment lawyer with over 20 years of experience in copyright, licensing, and intellectual property law. A champion of artists’ rights, the respected legal practitioner has represented creatives across music, film, and fashion, protecting their intellectual property and ensuring they earn fair value for their work. A professional member of the Recording Academy (Grammy), her impressive legal acumen has facilitated major negotiations and settlements with entertainment giants such as Walt Disney, WhatsApp, and ABC Studios.
The Igbokwes have, over the years, built Apex Entertainment into a hub for safeguarding and revitalising musical legacies. Their work spans catalogues belonging to celebrated names like the iconic Christy Essien Igbokwe, Innocent Ujah Idibia (2Baba), and, most recently, Tunde of Styl-Plus. Their efforts are widely credited for helping to reignite the career and catalogue of 2Baba, demonstrating their rare ability to blend creative innovation with business acumen.
Their latest venture, the One Love Music Festival, encapsulates their shared vision. Described as “a Pan-African celebration of music, culture, and unity,” the festival seeks to use music as a powerful tool to spread love and oneness across Africa. Through this initiative, the duo aims to create a platform that unites generations of artists and fans under one rhythm of shared heritage.
At the heart of their mission is a commitment to empowering legacy artists, ensuring their music continues to earn them revenue long after they step away from the stage. While Chinwuba handles artist relations, A&R, production, and performance management, Chioma provides the crucial legal and intellectual property backbone that sustains their operations. Together, they exemplify how creative and legal expertise can work in perfect harmony to transform the African entertainment landscape.
Looking ahead, the dynamic pair are eager to sign more legacy artists across the continent, extending their work to preserve African music history while creating sustainable income streams for its originators. Their passion, professionalism, and partnership are setting a new standard for how Africa values its artistic past and how it builds its creative future.
