It has been said that life’s greatest tragedy is not physical death but to live without a purpose. Career reincarnation is a necessary rebirth sometimes and Akinyemi Ayinoluwa, a former singer, composer, song writer, performer and lead singer of the defunct 100 Degrees boy band, is quite familiar.
[ad]
Akinyemi Ayinoluwa, fondly called Akinyemilaw, was born in 1986 to a middle class Nigerian family, comprising four other siblings and parents in Ilaro area of Ogun State. His father is a lawyer and mother a teacher. He had his primary education at Oluwole Christ The King Children’s School in Ejigbo, Lagos, between 1990 and 1996. He proceeded to Baptist Model High School in Ijegun and later moved to Excel College, also in Lagos, from 1997 to 2002, to complete his secondary education.
Raised in Ejigbo, Akinyemi Ayinoluwa attended the University of Lagos where he studied law between 2003 and 2009. Akinyemi Ayinoluwa was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2010 and like they say, “the rest is history.” Before his foray into law practice, Akinyemi Ayinoluwa was a sign of the next big musician in the Nigerian music space until he chose to embrace an uncommon but very critical front in the industry.
[ad]
“Growing up some of the things I enjoyed was listening to music, I had an aunt by name Aunty Jumoke who use to come around and we all do music, record some songs and when we listen to ourselves that use to be a lot of fun. Some of my other wonderful moments were winning prizes in school and in some competitions such as music and dancing all that use to be a lot of fun for me,” Akinyemi Ayinoluwa recalled recently in an interview while reflecting on his journey.
After working as an associate at Wemimo Ogunde & Co between 2010 and 2011 and Awokoya & Co from 2011 to 2012, he co-founded HighTower Solicitors and Advocates in 2012 as a music lawyer, primarily driven on representing recording artistes, songwriters, record producers, record labels, investors in music, and talent managers.
[ad]
Through hard work and expertise, Akinyemi Ayinoluwa has built an enviable list of clientele, which includes hit-making producers; I.D Cabasa, Masterkraft. Others include Magicsticks, Niphkeys Andre Vibes, Kukbeatz, Blaq Jerzee, Northboi, Rexxie, Jaypizzle, RunCheck, Larry Lanes, Tuzi, Niphkeys. He prides himself in helping clients understand the value of their intellectual property rights and to be mindful of the exploitation that is rampant in the industry.
Often described as a lawyer who breathes, drinks and eats music, Akinyemi Ayinoluwa, who is married with two kids, rose to fame for championing the rights of record producers and songwriters In Nigeria, which he has actively done for 14 years now.
[ad]
“I think the music industry is getting better in Nigeria, yes there are many sad stories as regarding artists, producers deals and treatments but I believe but I believe with knowledge and fantastic representation and wisdom to advise that people like myself gives; it helps to aid musicians monetize their talents and content properly. Trust me we do our best to guide this people but they have the mind of their own and they might not accept whatever suggestions you make at times,” Akinyemilaw said when asked how the industry can be better for greater impact and wealth.
Akinyemi Ayinoluwa is a globetrotter. He has been to Benin, Togo, Ghana, Kenya, Cameroon, Morocco, Tanzania, Oman, UAE, France, Netherlands, Scotland, England, Germany, Sweden, Qatar.
The lawyer has designed and published educational resources for record producers and beat makers in Nigeria.
[ad]
