Meet Daniel Chiori Cole, Solidstar’s Manager & Entrepreneur
For Daniel Chiori, doing what you have passion for is the utmost reality checker and coming out well with it further speaks well about your personality. As the Business Manager for leading entertainment outfit ‘Achievas Entertainment’, house to Isoko born singer, Solidstar and Attitude; Daniel has done tremendously well and became a household name shortly after successfully executing of the biggest and well attended event ever in Nigeria ‘OLIC’ (Olamide Live in Concert) and his contributions towards the success of Achievas entertainment debut movie production ‘Knocking on Heavens Door’. In this chat with MUTIAT ALLI, the graduate of Mass Communication from Lead City University disclosed his journey into the entertainment industry, his driving passion amongst others.
For somebody who sees to the affairs of big entertainment company like Achievas Entertainment and manages popular artistes like Solidstar and Attitude, how would you describe the experience over the years?
It’s a tough one to be honest, it’s a very huge task to control what the media says about your artistes, how Music lovers react to their music, how to also lookout for the company as well, but I thank God Solidstar and Attitude are doing well right now. It’s God’s Grace.
The journey did not get rosy overnight, before the success stories rolled in, how did you handle those moments that would have frustrated you to want to do something else?
Well one thing I have been able to learn is that no form of promotion is lost be it controversial or a good news. One just need to make sure one doesn’t put out the wrong statement out, controversies will come sometimes, keep quiet and continue working. If people don’t talk about you or your work that means you’re not passing any message yet. But with good music you can always close that controversy that will kill the brand you’ve been trying to build for years. So we are working, we don’t let nothing stop us from pushing hard.
They say many artistes would have gone far in their music career but they have seen their chances being ruined by their managers who engage in underhand dealings that end up messing up their career, how have you been able to manage the affair well?
Well through these years we’ve been able to sustain the standard of music that we drop for our artists, and also maintain our relationship as business partners, is not because we are perfect but we stay honest in all our dealings and this makes us standout and also boost our artists morale for them to work harder, because if we can provide them with what they want when it’s necessary for as manager I don’t see reasons why we should have a problem. So for me being clean makes a difference between me and other managers. If it’s 3 Million Naira they pay for a show give the artist the exact figure as he is supposed to earn from the company and not try to steal from your own pocket, that ruins everything and it affects business and personality as a manager. Once artiste loose trust on you, they will never believe you again and that’s the end!
What exactly propelled your journey into artiste management; is Solidstar the first famous artiste you have managed or there were others before him?
Well my family has love for music, as you all know my elder brother (Ossy Achievas) who is the CEO of Achievas Ent is a huge fan of music. I got into the business since the company started officially in 2007, I have been part of every move from day one till date. I have traveled from Lagos to Enugu- Anambara- Ilorin- PH- Benin-Delta- Oyo- and many more and also other African countries like Ivory Coast, Tanzania, Kenya, The Gambia, Ghana, Cameroon, South Africa, just to promote their songs and trust me if not for the love of music I won’t have to go for any radio tours in those countries. I have managed just TJAN and still managing SOLIDSTAR
What does it feel like managing somebody like him, who many people believe has not done enough for himself over the years?
It has not been easy trust me, but we will get through that. We are working
You studied Mass Communication, how did you discover your passion for entertainment to the point that you now manage the affairs of superstars making the country proud?
For many of you that know me personally, you all know I love dancing lol.. Like I said earlier on Music runs in the family, I have been watching and learning from people. 2face also influenced my love for entertainment, I became a believer when I saw what 2face had done for Nigerian music as at my age, I told myself one day I would also make this country proud by giving them entertainment unlimitedly, from music, sports, events, movies, and all categories I must say. While I was in Lead City, myself and my brother co-hosted couple of events that didn’t turn out good but nonetheless we didn’t
stop there, we kept on pushing the brand and thank God we are here today.
You became a household name when you planned and executed Olamide’s Live in Concert (OLIC), whose idea was it in the first place?
I always don’t like talking about this particular one, but it was all my idea, met with my very good friend Pumba and then I got investors from my side, fixed proposals overnight, I can remember I didn’t sleep for one day. I kept on pushing until the concert happened and it was a huge success for myself and all parties involved. It was a sad day for me because I wasn’t there to watch what I have started due to Malaria/typhoid, I was forced to watch from home live on Hiptv. E be like say I cry o
What special thing did you add to the show that has sustained it till now?
OLAMIDE! He is a special one!
OLAMIDE! He is a special one!
Tell us about your success story with Achievas first major blockbuster movie, knocking on the Heavens Door?
We partnered with Royal Arts Academy to pull this one. Like I mentioned earlier we love entertainment so we thought about making a movie to see how the industry works and yes we got what we wanted as usual. Now we are in fully, I just produced a blockbuster movie “Death Island” this particular job I can’t wait for every African to see it.
What led you into movies?
My passion for entertainment, AY Comedian also influenced me to go into the business, he is a man I admire and look up to when it comes to the entertainment business. My passion led me through this path
How would you describe the success you have recorded over the years, are you surprised at the level you have attained?
I’m not surprised, I’m even angry at myself right now because I know I can do better than what I am now.
What makes you think you can survive another five years on this job?
It’s my passion! I live for it, entertainment never ends, I will grow with it and build it so my children’s children will benefit from what I have put down
