Stephanie Okocha is a renowned music executive, experienced talent manager, and A&R expert based in Lagos, Nigeria. With over a decade of experience in the music industry, she has built an impressive career working with top talents and global brands. Previously serving as the Label Services/Country Manager at Immensum Music, a renowned rights and management company based in the USA, and as Head of Talent at TheBasementGig, Stephanie has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to her work, earning her respect in the industry.
Stephanie is recognized for her talent in identifying opportunities, particularly in finding and developing talent, coordinating events, and spearheading creative marketing initiatives. Her skills have played a crucial role in overseeing successful careers, including her management of Platinum-certified producer Tempoe until March 2023. Presently, she is managing the career of award-winning musician Simi and acclaimed producer Yo X, maintaining her track record of promoting excellence in the industry.
Stephanie has a background in Mass Communication and Media Studies, which drives her passion for connecting audiences with top-notch musical experiences. This passion is central to the services of her label company, Panda Entertainment, where she spearheads efforts to organize recording camps that have led to the creation of hit songs.
Stephanie Okocha’s dedication to her craft, her ability to identify talent, and her leadership in creating top-notch music experiences make her an outstanding professional in the continually evolving world of music.
Tell us your background and how your journey into talent management began.
My major is talent management, music business management, and label services.
I always wanted to be in entertainment either as a TV presenter or actress. Then I realised I could sing and then wanted to be a musician, but that didn’t work out because whenever I got the chance to sing I froze every time I got on stage.
The summer before my final year in university, I met a musician who included me in his team as a runner, without payment. That summer, helping the artist and team with tasks like getting tickets and room keys felt right. I loved it and decided to learn more about the industry. After my final exams, I applied for a job posted by Bizzle, and I got it. I worked there during my service year, and they wanted to retain me, but I moved on. After nine months, I met Osagie, with whom I worked for five years. She taught me almost everything I know. After that, I became independent.
From your next question, from your perspective, what makes a great music manager in today’s music industry?
Empathy and knowing where your strength lies. Many people want to do everything, but as you grow and have resources, it’s important to delegate. Discipline is also crucial.
What qualities do you seek when discovering new talent, and how do you nurture their growth into successful artists?
Talent is definitely number one, followed by discipline and knowing what you want. The talent must know what they want because management’s job is to help them achieve these goals. Personality and the right energy are also important.
Your background in Mass Communication and Media Studies aligns perfectly with your passion. Did your educational experience influence your career choice in the music industry?
Honestly, no. What influenced my career choice was my childhood. None of my parents played instruments or sang, but my dad was entertainment-inclined, and my mom loved her shows. We would gather as a family to watch entertainment shows, and my mom would break into a song, and my dad would share stories from his youth. It was my household that influenced me, not school.
What values or principles guide your work in talent management, particularly when navigating the Nigerian entertainment industry?
Discipline, knowing your artists & what works for them, and empathy. You need to understand your talents to manage them properly. No two talents are the same, and you can’t manage them the same way. It’s important to know how to manage your talents, know how they will react to things, and to never hide anything from them. Even if they react negatively, part of your job is to bring them back and help them understand why certain decisions are made.
With such an impressive career, who or what has inspired you along your journey?
Osagie. I can say for a fact that the person I was before I met Osagie is not who I am today. My first year with Osagie was one of my best years in my career.
How do you balance the creative and business aspects of working with artists like Simi and Yo X?
Talents like Simi and Producer X are like gifts from God. They make what I do very easy. They know what they want creatively, which helps my job business-wise. They listen and are open to input, making it easy to collaborate as a team.
If you had one superpower to solve the biggest challenges currently facing the Nigerian music industry, what would it be?
Maybe being a structure police lol, ensuring the industry has the right frameworks in place.
What’s next for you and Panda Entertainment? Do you have any upcoming projects or initiatives you’re excited about?
Yes, definitely. We have many exciting initiatives and projects. For me, I want to keep empowering talents, producers, and songwriters. Panda Entertainment has a lot of upcoming collaborations, so watch this space.
What advice would you give to young professionals who want to pursue a career as talent managers or A&R experts in the evolving music industry?
Learn the basics, be patient enough to spot opportunities, and carve a comfortable niche for yourself. It’s important to know what you’re good at and excel at it. Music/music business is long-term, but it’s worth it.
