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We conclude our two-part interview series with publicist and entrepreneur Toni Payne on the 96th episode of The Africa Music Law Show with Ms. Uduak. In this episode, Payne shares how 9ice and BHM publicist/Netng.net founder Ayeni Adekunle’s alleged actions and inactions, made her the target of hate and vitriolic attacks from the public for six years. She discusses the impact, the mistakes, the lessons learned and a lot more. For Part I, visit here.
About Toni Payne
Toni Payne, the founder of Toni Payne Concepts, has an extensive background in the entertainment industry as a publicist, an A&R executive, an artist-manager, publisher, writer, poet, voiceover artist, media personality, and entrepreneur. She has enjoyed success in the Afrobeats field and was directly responsible for discovering and developing one of Nigeria and Africa’s noted contemporary artist 9ice.
Payne was so effective with her management and leadership style that she helped position and propel 9ice to global reach and visibility. On June 27, 2008, Payne watched from backstage at the Hyde Park in London, as 9ice, the sole artist selected from Nigeria, graced a global stage to perform at the 90th birthday celebration of the great Nelson Mandela (RIP). The event was hosted by Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith, and included performers such as the late Amy Winehouse and Josh Groban. It was a big moment for Nigeria and Africa.
Payne, as a publicist, has also represented many of Africa’s celebrated artists such as Onyeka Onwenu, 2Face Idibia, and Olamide.
Prior to launching her career in the entertainment industry, Payne was a successful publicist in the fashion industry and a fashion and beauty retail entrepreneur in Los Angeles.
Ever trailblazing, in 1999, she launched Nigeria’s first-ever online entertainment magazine, Nigerianentertainment.com, a popular forerunner to today’s leading entertainment blogs. In 2011, while living in Nigeria, she starred in her own nationally syndicated reality TV show, “My ChamPayne Life,” which documented the challenges she faced as a woman publicist in the spotlight in a male dominated industry and society. The show was a fan favorite and aired in over 50 countries across Africa.
In 2015, Payne released her first Spoken Word Poetry album titled “I am OSHA” which means “I am a Goddess” in the Yoruba language. The poetry album received wide praise from fans and industry insiders alike. She is the owner of a lifestyle website ToniPayneOnline.com where she pens diverse articles on entertainment, health and wellness, parenting, poetry, short stories, quotes and more. She is also the producer of “Trending Topics with Toni Payne,” a complimentary podcast to her website.
Payne is currently working on her book “Diary of a Wordsmith” which will feature some of her best-written works.
Preview
- A marriage crisis that spilled into the business
- Ayeni Adekunle’s (Ayeni) alleged use of TheNet.ng platform to benefit self
- Ayeni’s conflict of interest in representing 9ice
- The false allegations of cheating on 9ice
- The inaction of Ayeni to dispel the rumors
- 9ice’s passive move to dispel rumor
- The impact of the rumors
- Leaving Nigeria
- Lessons learned and tips for artist and managers that are spouses/in a romantic relationship
- Starting over in the U.S.
- Signing and managing Brymo internationally and much more
Where to Find Toni Payne
Where to Find Ms.Uduak
Twitter: @uduaklaw
Website: www.msuduak.com
About The Africa Music Law Show with Ms. Uduak
Hosted by California-based Fashion & Entertainment Lawyer Uduak Oduok (Ms. Uduak), The Africa Music Law show is a show empowering the African artist through brilliant music business and entertainment law commentary and analysis, industry news, and exclusive interviews. The show has been downloaded over 200,000 times and made iTunes top 4 ‘New & Noteworthy.’ Subscribers include Africa & Hollywood’s power executives, investors, lawyers, artists and other industry stakeholders. The blog itself has been cited in a U.S. top-ranked law school’s ‘International Law Review’ journal. Country demographic: Nigeria (26%), USA (23%), UK (15%), UAE (7%), and Other (29%).
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