Experienced Nigerian music aficionado, George Beke has opened up on the origin of his thriving music label Geobek Records which has catapulted many aspiring African talents beyond their wildest dreams and has spread unseen potential like wild fire across the continent.
The seasoned South African based music business executive also talked about the rising profile of popular Mozambican music group, Yaba Buluku Boyz on the recent episode of the Vinyl podcast.
While opening up on the origin of Geobek Records, the creative strategist and talent agent said that the origin of his music label was borne out of necessity at the time it was established.
He said; ‘‘Geobek Records was set up basically because of Laylizzy and Ellpluto. I had Geobek Entertainment and I was consulting for Universal Music; while I was still working with Laylizzy I wanted him to be signed onto the Universal Records stable but the move didn’t work out. It was after that failed move that I floated Geobek Records because of Laylizzy and Ellpluto who were both the pioneer music acts on the Geobek Records stable.
‘‘Both musicians had completed works to promote and they were not signed on to any record label. So, I took it upon myself to set up Geobek Records to promote their works.’’
The music enthusiast who continues to deliver pan-African distinction with his enterprise also explained the difference between Geobek Records and Geobek Standard.
George said; ‘‘Geobek Standards is me setting standards as it were in the music industry. It is my personal interest of wanting to create standards because without standards we are just doing business as usual.
‘‘So standard is a discipline; it reminds you that you don’t have to settle for less. That’s what the Geobek Standard is… Geobek Records is the record arm of Geobek Standards which is very much functional.
George who intentionally studied Audio Visual Communication in South Africa to broaden his spectrum and deepen his knowledge in the music industry also opened on how met the Yabulu Boyz and their monster hit single with Burna Boy.
READ ALSO: Culture custodian George Beke opens up on his journey into music business
‘‘I met DJ Tarico when I came to Mozambique with Davido for a show. I was working with a female artiste (Shellsy Baronet) and Tarico was producing her songs. He shared some beats with me so I can get a Nigerian artiste to flow on it. However, he approached me at a time I felt was not right but when the time came it clicked. It was at the time Amapiano was beginning to get recognised and I decided to join the movement.
‘‘At that time, the Yaba Buluku song was getting appreciable airplay and I met with DJ Tarico, Nelson and in South Africa and they had a meeting with me to seal a management deal with me. The song was getting airplay but the people didn’t really know those behind the song. So, I said okay cool let’s all come together as brothers. I co-signed them joining forces with Burna Boy on the remix of their hit song which eventually became a success. But the song had to have another voice because Tarico is a DJ and we needed someone else aside from Nelson and that’s where Prek came into the picture. That was the foundation and we created a movement and started doing stuff here and there. So, that’s how I met them (Yaba Buluku Boyz) and that’s how we have continued to build towards a greater future through the Geobek Records platform.
On how he made the Yaba Buluku Boyz to settle for their remix with Burna Boy, George said; ‘‘When the song was released, the remix with Burna Boy was like something big for them. Everybody was opening their doors for them so they were meeting people. So, when I came on-board, I told them that if I have to work with you guys, there’s a level I operate to bring value to the table. The essence for me was to launch their careers to the next level, so I had to chip in valuable advice.
‘‘They already shot the video for the song, so I came and we had to make a decision. I drew the line and told them that if you want this, the condition is we cannot wax a loud house remix on another remix.
‘‘However, we eventually settled for the Burna Boy remix and that’s how we made a decision and in one week did the video for the viral song and the rest like they say is history.’’
