‘Why music talents thrive better in Port Harcourt’

Popular record company executive and talent manager, Bryan Owujie, has shed some light on why the southern riverine clime of Port Harcourt city has been increasingly fertile for blooming talents across the Nigerian music industry, in recent years. 

From Burna Boy, to Omah Lay, to Duncan Mighty, among others, Port Harcourt has been one city where the heartbeat of music never stops. This reality is built on the foundation of the resilient nature of youths from that axis, Owujie, who manages the global superstar 1da Banton, suggests. 

“Growing up in PH is one of the craziest experiences a Nigerian can have. It’s a different vibe on its own. A lot of opportunities, especially in the entertainment industry, aren’t back at home because you don’t have resources with big labels or partners that actually understand what the music business is. PH is where you have to create every opportunity you need by yourself for you to be able to make it. If you can make it in PH, you can make it anywhere.”

Owujie, who also owns Pyro, a talent management and promotion empire, also explained that another key ingredient to being a successful artiste is to have a disciplined work ethic.

“First off, I think the artiste should be naturally talented; I’m talking about one that understands music. You have to be ready to work because where talent fails, hard work excels, so we have to be talented, and you have to be able to work hard,” he says.

He also shared a day in his life as a talent manager, describing it as a bed of roses and thorns. 

“Most people think that putting out music is waking up, uploading the song, and getting it on DSPs.No, daily life as a manager is you contacting other managers, music publicists, radio stations, and checking out people you want your artist to work with. You are listening to records every day. Every day you are projecting. You are looking to find ways to propel your artists.” 

Having worked over the years, with talents like the Grammy-winning producer, Leriq, internationally acclaimed music video director, Adasa Cookey, global model superstar, Newton Utere and the superstar musician 1da Banton, Pyro has cut his teeth as one of the most resilient and productive talent managers in the industry.