Lekan Babalola, Biyi Bandele join Temple Management Company

Renowned percussionist, Lekan Babalola and award-winning filmmaker, Biyi Bandele have shown no signs of slowing down their acts, as they penned new deals with wave-making talent agency, Temple Management Company.

The two-time Grammy award-winning musician as well as the Half Of A Yellow Sun filmmaker signed their deals separately in London where they are both based.

Vastly travelled Lekan Babalola, who has been described as a “wizardly percussionist” by the Washington Post, is one of Nigeria’s biggest music exports. He has worked with many renowned acts such as the late Prince, Cassandra Wilson, Ernest Ranglin, Branford Marsalis, African Jazz All Stars, Roy Ayers, David Byrne, Damon Albarn and Tony Allen.

Since it set up shop in March, last year, the Temple Management Company has impressed by positioning itself as one of the foremost players operating in the creative sector in Nigeria and Africa. The full-service company, which boasts of a team of young professionals, has offices in Lagos and Nairobi as well as a presence in London, New York and Johannesburg.

Mr. Idris Olorunnimbe, CEO/ Founder, noted that Temple Management Company would work with Lekan Babalola and Biyi Bandele to put Nigeria on the map of the international jazz and film circuit respectively.

Lekan Babalola welcomed the signing and said he had spent many years looking for an indigenous company that shared his values.

“I am delighted to work with The Temple Management Company and I strongly believe the company’s contribution to my artistic success in Nigeria and Africa is highly important and I look forward to the partnership,” Babalola said.

“I became sold when I stumbled on the impressive way that TMC executed the King Sunny Ade Sunny On Sunday Concert and I believe that TMC’s involvement is a pre-requisite for the success of my artistic career in Nigeria and Africa,” he added.

On his part, Biyi Bandele expressed optimism describing his new deal as a strategic synergy that will raise the bar in the African creative sector.

“I have been looking for representation not only for my film work but also to engage in commercial opportunities across Africa. Temple is the perfect fit and I believe we can export world class entertainment from the continent to the rest of the world,” he added.

Also lending his voice, Mark Redguard, TMC’s Head of Entertainment said the opportunities are limitless to work with two of the biggest creative forces out of Nigeria to the world.