Be good to the people when you are at the top because you may need their help when you are at the bottom.
The founder of Made Men Music Group (MMMG) Ubi Franklin was the driving force behind Iyanya’s 2012 success with “Kukere” and “Your Waist”
“Kukere” was a song that Iyanya had turned down but Ubi Franklin saw beyond. He had to trick Iyanya with a cheque of 500,000 naira before he finished recording the song.
Iyanya believed strictly in his R&B vibes. When “Kukere” finally blew up, several industry heavyweights like Eldee and P-Square proposed to sign Iyanya but Ubi Franklin turned them down.
After immense success, Iyanya decided to part ways with Ubi Franklin, unjustifiably.
Years after, Iyanya was unable to produce hit songs. Things were going south for him. A friend mediated between Ubi and Iyanya, causing them to reconcile.
With the love Ubi Franklin has for Iyanya, he decided to come back to his rescue in 2021.
How did the miracle happen ?
When Kizz Daniel was trying to break through in the Nigerian music industry, he used to hang around Ubi Franklin and Iyanya in the studio. Kizz worked with DJ Coublon, who was signed under MMMG . “Woju” was produced by Coublon. That’s how Iyanya and Kizz Daniel knew each other.
Fast-forward, 2021 Kizz Daniel who used to look up to Iyanya brought him back to the spotlight and awakened his career from slumber. The people you lift up today, may be the ones to lift you up tomorrow.
Ubi Franklin called Kizz Daniel and begged him to collaborate with Iyanya.
“If Kizz wants to do something for you, he will do it to the extreme…I’ll forever be indebted to him” – Ubi Franklin
When they arrived at Kizz Daniel’s home, he played
“Buga” and offered it to Iyanya to relaunch his career. Ubi Franklin said he didn’t like the song. So they turned it down.
When he played “Like” , Ubi Franklin heard Davido’s voice in it and immediately chose the song, but he had to reach out to Davido to give his approval.
Ubi Franklin had to pass through Chioma. Chioma finally convinced Davido.
When Davido accepted the Collab, Kizz Daniel personally engineered and recorded Iyanya in the studio, making sure it was perfect.
Iyanya recalls that humility is what made things work out for him. It was a new journey for him to relearn and kill his ego.
Peoplesmind
