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Questionmark's Boss speaks on Asa Print E-mail
Written by News Hound   
Friday, 26 October 2007
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Kevin Lucciano
Asa is, perhaps, the most gifted soul-singer in the country today, while Questionmark the record  label that brought Asa to limelight, remains arguably, the only Label in Nigeria that has succeeded in securing foreign recording deals for local artistes. Kevin Lucciano Gabriel Chief Executive  of  Questionmark record label  has brought his enthusiasm into the management of the  label, little wonder he has made tremendous success of artists under the record label.
Awards winning producer Cobams is the greatest beneficiary of them all. Cobams had a publishing contract with QuestionMark as writer and a producer. At the end of the day, Questionmark got a deal with Sonny from the UK for Cobams.

According to Lucciano, Sony signed him directly and that left QuestionMark with the management of Cobams.

Award winning  Rapper; Mode 9  is equally under this label. And most recently D’accord, the group that won the last edition of Star Quest Contest, is with QuestionMark. It is to the credit of this company that Nigerian Breweries found the label worthy of handling the affairs of this awesome group.

But at what point in his career did Lucciano decide to set up a record label in Nigeria?  “It was Asa that made me do it.” he said   “A young man called Cobams actually came to my boys’ quarters to do a song. And one day he came again to do a song with Asa.

That morning, I heard a very lovely voice. I came downstairs and I commended her for her unique and captivating voice. Along the line her friend Janet convinced me to take up Asa’s career.  I gave it a thought and said why not. There and then I decided to set up a record label.”

According to him, setting up a record label is not a straight boulevard strewed  with roses. It has not been easy for him and he has got scars to show for it.

“It has been a struggle all the way. But I foresee an end to the struggle by the grace of Almighty God. It has been quite rough but I will overcome.”

Part of the problem facing the company he says, is the mischievous high spirit of some of the artiste under his label. “Some of them have been into many disparate incidents that will lead to nowhere.  They do not want to be patient enough to wait for the seed they planted to grow.”  Kevin said our artiste must understand the business aspect of the entertainment industry. And stated  that most of our musicians do not understand the principle of sowing and reaping. “A typical Nigerian artiste wants to start living big immediately his work is out in the market.  

As an entrepreneur, I’m not even in a hurry. I know that I’m investing in a product which I must continue pushing until we both arrive. Why would I want to spend money on you if I don’t want to make money from you? That is what they need to understand. It takes time. There are some products that will not sell. There are some products that will sell. There are some products that will sell if you continue pushing it. So we need to get production right. Our artistes need to get the right orientation.”

On his widely publicized misunderstanding with Asa, Kevin disclosed that the young musician was ill-advised and hasty in the decisions she took.

According to him, Asa was assisted in an unimaginable way by Questionmark. To him, the success story wouldn’t have been possible if not for Questionmark. His label was behind all those beautifully refined performances of Asa. Kevin gave a witty detail of what transpired between Questionmark and Asa. “I’m going to be very honest with you. I’m one of Asa greatest fans in the world. That was the reason why I decided to even work with her. I love her music. I tried as much as possible to satisfy her as an artiste. But I’m not perfect. I’m human after all.

Personally, I think all that we promised Asa in a contract, we fulfilled. But she hasn’t given us what she promised us. I don’t know what gets her goat. She hasn’t told me where I went wrong.”

The Questionmark boss revealed that all attempts by him to resolve the problem have failed. “I have called Cobams many times and pleaded with him to set up a meeting between me and Asa, nothing came out of it. I have also called Asa personally. QuestionMark contributed a great deal to the success of Asa. She was here before QuestionMark. But QuestionMark and Asa together made a huge impact.”  This problem he revealed explains why  Asa’s album has not been released.

Kevin said that there was no court injunction restraining him from releasing the work. Rather, he is just waiting patiently for the conflict to be resolved. “I am waiting to see if we can resolve the conflict so that the release will be proper. I don’t want to release it in an atmosphere of recrimination. I am a business man. I need to also recoup my money that I spend on Asa .I am also a very patient man. I am waiting for reconciliation. I am open to communication. Asa, Cobams and I have slept in the same house before.”
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Comments (4)
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1. Written by This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it on 07-06-2008 17:29 - Guest
 
 
Record Deal with Questionmark's
My name is Michael but peole call me Slope, I am from Nigeria, Born in Imo state, i reside in Lagos, I Sing R&B and soul, I also play the Arcoustic Box Guitar, i am a writer, Am just working on a Demo Track, I will like to sign a record deal, such as promoting my songs, and Marketing. This has being my dreams all the days of my life and i have wanted to archeive this goals and not to waste it away. I will like to know the next step forward, this are my contact,.. 234 8086179711, 2348035332092. 
Thanks hope to hear from you real soon.. Please help me to assign this letter to Questionmark.
  
2. Written by This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it on 15-06-2008 21:26 - Guest
 
 
why not me on ur labe
hi the name is Apata Adebayo AKA LiL Bizu, I live at no' 2 Marine rd Apapa Lagos. I am Rapper I write my songs, I also write for other people. I am in my final semester in UNILAG.When I get out, I love to take up Rap music as a career, I have Demos but I really want to do this proffessional I am hook up with a record label yet. I do admir Question mark.I would appreciate a responsor from any top record label in the land my contact number is 2348066148390 I will glad to hear from U....
  
3. Written by This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it on 19-06-2008 12:21 - Guest
 
 
u need me
hi am kris, iwas just going though the list of questionmarks artists list and what just crawed to my mind was that they need me...am an artist of over 33 written songs and 4 demos looking and waiting for the right time and label. i have a product that can sell internationally.pls link me up 2 questionmark or any other good label..................thanks.
  
4. Written by This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it on 24-06-2008 18:04 - Guest
 
 
Record Deal
Hello My name is Michael but people call me Slopy, i just finished my Demo Track tittled, Okpeke. which means i am crazy about a lady, I wish i can attach it on this site so that you can hear how sweet and nice production, I am quite sure that this track will blow up the music industry cause is a dance hall that can be played all over the party arena, how can i get to meet someone who can feel this stuff and sell it out to the world this are my contact. 08086179711, hope to hear from any  
Thanks from Slopy)
  

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Last Updated ( Friday, 26 October 2007 )
 
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