Adesegun Adeosun Jnr, popularly known as Smade, is a Nigerian-born British event promoter, creative industry expert and entrepreneur.[1][2][3][4][5] He is co-founder of Afro Nation,[6][7][8][9] an annual music festival established to bring together the best African artists in afrobeats, hip hop, RnB, dancehall, amapiano and more. He is also the founder of Smade Entertainment, a UK-based entertainment company.[10][11][12]

Smade
Picture of UK based Nigerian entrepreneur, Adesegun Adeosun Jnr alias Smade.
Born
Adesegun Adeosun Jnr

(1984-12-24) December 24, 1984 (age 39)
NationalityNigerian, British
Other namesSmade or King Smade
Alma mater
Occupations
Years active2006–present
Known forAfro Nation, Smade Entertainment
Title
  • Co Founder Afro Nation (2013–present)
  • Founder Smade Entertainment (2008–present)
AwardsBest of Africa Awards, Global African Awards, African Diaspora Awards
Websitewww.smade.co.uk

Early life and education

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Born in Lagos State, Nigeria and raised by both parents, Smade had his primary education at Ronik International School, Lagos and secondary education at Lagos State Model College. He moved to London after gaining admission to study advertising and marketing at University of the Arts London.[13] He then went on to acquire a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) in Marketing Pathway-Pass at GSM London between 2011,[14] a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales in 2012.

Career

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Afro Nation

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In 2013, Smade alongside his business partner Obi Asika, who is also serve as co- founder decided to form an event or Afro-like festival or carnaval to promote African acts globally. The maiden African edition was held in October 2019 at Accra, Ghana.[15][16] Since the formation of Afro Nation, Smade have worked with several prominent artists including Wizkid, Davido, Burna Boy, Kizz Daniel, Tiwa Savage, , Yemi Alade, Black Sherif, Naira Marley, Patoranking, Adekunle Gold, CKay, Stonebwoy and others.[17][18]

In 2007, he established his entertainment management company, Smade Entertainment, an entertainment firm that was approved as co-partner in 2019 to co-organize Afro Nation annually.[19][20][21][22]

Awards and recognition

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Smade received several awards and recognitions for his work, some of which are:

  • 2019 Best of Africa Awards – [23] Outstanding Achievements for Event Promotion Winner
  • 2019 African Diaspora Awards – [24][25] Special Recognition Award, Promotion of music and culture Winner
  • 2019 Afrobeats Live and Awards Power Players– [26] Winner
  • 2019 The Nelas Academy Awards- Entertainment Promoter of the year Winner
  • 2022 Global African Awards – [27] Outstanding contribution to Showbiz and Entertainment Winner

Personal life

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He married his Zimbabwean girlfriend, Sianne McKop, on 20 October 2015, at the City Pavilion in London.[28][29]

References

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  1. ^ Williams, Tommy (2019-09-19). "Meet Smade: An Entrepreneur Bringing The African Diaspora Together Through Music And Entertainment". forbes.com. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  2. ^ Vincent, Desmond (2020-10-10). "Interview: Afro Nation Festival's Smade On Unifying Africans Across the Continent & Diaspora". okayafrica.com. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  3. ^ Oke-Hortons, Nosa (2022-12-17). ""This Is Greatness": Ace Promoter Smade Hails Asake Calls Him the Pride of Afrobeat As His UK Tour Continues". legit.ng. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  4. ^ "'Ghanaian Artists Are Too Calm & Relaxed'- Nigerian Music Promoter". ghgossip.com. 2019-12-15. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  5. ^ "Black Sherif celebrated in London by Afronation Co-founder Smade". ghanaweb.com. 2022-11-24. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  6. ^ Monroy Yglesias, Ana (2020-05-05). "Afro Nation Co-Founders Smade & Obi Asika Talk Festival Origins, Uniting The African Diaspora & Celebrating Diversity". grammy.com. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  7. ^ Scaro, VJ (2019-12-26). "Co-founder of Afro Nation, Smade Celebrates birthday with Teshie Orphanage". ameyawdebrah.com. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  8. ^ Mims, Taylor (2021-12-13). "Afro Nation Puerto Rico Founders Talk Two-Year Delay & Landing Megan Thee Stallion". billboard.com. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  9. ^ Olajide, Samuel (2019-09-14). "Nigerian music underrated outside Africa –Smade". punchng.com. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  10. ^ Okonkwo, Oge (2015-10-21). "Smade Entertainment CEO weds longtime fiancée, Sianne McKop". pulse.ng. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  11. ^ "African music giant, Smade loses beautiful mum". onenigerianbritico.com. 2022-05-18. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  12. ^ ""Wizkid and Burna Boy are Biggest African Stars" – Smade events CEO". legit9ja.com. 2019-11-20. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  13. ^ Shamaan, Freeman-Powell (2019-08-10). "The man behind the festival that 'united the African Diaspora'". bbc.com. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  14. ^ "Adesegun Adeosun (Jr.): Celebrating Black Excellence In Entertainment Production". dukeintmagazine.com. 2021-05-23. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  15. ^ Gamenya, Gerrard (2019-10-16). "Afronation: Smade Reveals The Secret Behind Choosing Ghana For The Maiden Edition". gbafrica.net. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  16. ^ "Stonebwoy is Very Intelligent, I Couldn't Even Imagine How Brilliant That Guy Is – Co Founder of AfroNation, SMADE Praises Stonebwoy". ghgossip.com. 2019-09-26. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  17. ^ "Afro Nation: Not Nigeria, why Ghana is hosting music festival - Smade". mynigeria.com. 2022-07-07. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  18. ^ Olajide, Samuel (2019-09-14). "Nigerian music underrated outside Africa –Smade". punchng.com. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  19. ^ Ngondonga, Mayfield (2021-08-21). "Founder of Afronation Smade Is Back With Yam Carnival". mycomeup.com. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  20. ^ "Adekunle Gold's #about30concert Secures Smade Entertainment's Position As The Top Afrobeats Promoter". thenigerianvoice.com. 2018-06-30. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  21. ^ "Smade Entertainment Makes History Yet Again As Tiwa Savage Pays Tribute To African Icons At #thesavagetour". modernghana.com. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  22. ^ "Smade Entertainment Welcomes Wizkid, Mr Eazi, Tekno, Maleek Berry, Tiwa Savage To London For Biggest Afro Concert". theimpactnewspaper.com. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  23. ^ "Winners 2019". boaawards.com. 2022-10-13. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  24. ^ "African Diaspora Awards honours achievements". trumpetmediagroup.com. 2019-04-08. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  25. ^ "The African Diaspora rolls out 2019 Honours". rootencial.com. 2019-04-08. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  26. ^ Esomnofu, Emmanuel (2020-07-07). "Afrobeats "Live and Awards" Power Players 2019". notjustok.com. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  27. ^ "Global African Awards announce UK Nominees". globalafrican.co. 2022-10-13. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  28. ^ "Nigerian Entertainers Turn Up For London Event Promoter King Smade Marriage(Photos) – Entertainment Express". expressng.com. 2015-10-21. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  29. ^ Badmus, Kayode (2015-10-21). "9ice, Banky W, Adekunle Gold turn up as London based event promoter, King Smade marries Zimbabwean lover". thenet.ng. Retrieved 2023-01-16.