Nigerian Music lawyer, Akinyemi Ayinoluwa, says the country has only barely scratched the surface in terms of wealth if the laws that protect intellectual property are enforced.
Akinyemi Ayinoluwa, better known as Akinyemilaw, is the former lead singer of 100 Degrees boy band, ex-entertainer, composer, songwriter and performer. However, he dropped the microphone to embraced a different sort of stage in the industry.
Akinyemi Ayinoluwa attended the University of Lagos where he studied law. The lawyer worked as an associate at Associate at Wemimo Ogunde & Co and Awokoya & Co but out of genuine passion to continue to leave an impactful impression in the music sector, he co-founded HighTower Solicitors and Advocates, with the aim of representing top artistes, music producers, music writers and talents and defend rights on intellectual property in the industry.
In a recent interview, Ayinoluwa said, “I believe that we need a strong judicial system so that we can enforce laws that support intellectual property rights. So that cases that come from this beat can be expedited and also help us to appreciate how important creativity is for the culture and commerce. I wish a lot of us can be educated to see the wealth that can come from the entertainment sector.”
Ayinoluwa’s influence and profile has been on the rise since veering into the legal side of the music business; a critical aspect that had been majorly ignored and inadequately unattended, despite the global status of the Nigerian music sector.
“I have worked to represent a lot to artists some of which includes: Masterkraft, Blaq Jersey, I.D Cabasa, Tuzi, Magicsticks, Niphkeys Andre Vibes, Kukbeatz, Northboi, Rexxie, Jaypizzle, RunCheck, Larry Lanes, Tuzi, Niphkeys, and many others,” Akinyemilaw stated on the strides of HighTower Solicitors and Advocates.
But Akinyemi Ayinoluwa revealed that despite the boisterous leap of his law firm, it occasionally encounters difficulties from certain clients.
“Dealing with big egos for me; I work with people that are happy to trust in my expertise and advise. Right now I am more drawn to work with people that values my work,if I see that my work is not being respected and your ego is getting into the way I will probably just step aside. You know in entertainment you can’t really change people especially superstars.
“You can talk to a rock Star and try to change them, the best you can do is to show that you are someone of value and that you can add value to them and if they don’t see it that way. You just have to let them have it their way and step aside,” Akinyemi Ayinoluwa disclosed.
When asked about the state of music industry and what can be done to scale it towards more milestones, Akinyemi Ayinoluwa said, ” 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 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”, said Ayinoluwa
