Osagie Osarenkhoe is a remarkable talent and operations manager, boasting over 12 years of experience in the entertainment business. Best known for her role in discovering Afrobeats superstar Wizkid, Osagie’s influence extends far beyond this notable achievement. Her career speaks more to her deep passion for nurturing talent, pioneering new ventures, and shaping the future of the African entertainment landscape.
A graduate of the University of Lagos with a B.Sc. in Mass Communication/Media Studies, Osagie was a standout student in her department. Her academic brilliance laid a solid foundation for the illustrious career that would follow.
Osagie began her journey in the entertainment industry as an Operations Manager at Empire Mates Entertainment (EME), where she served from 2009 to 2014. During her time at EME, she honed her skills in managing artists and operations, helping to solidify the label’s reputation as a powerhouse in the Afrobeats scene.
In less than a year with Empire Mates, Osagie’s entrepreneurial spirit led her to create her first platform, One Mic Naija. This initiative provided a stage for emerging artists to showcase their talents, further demonstrating her unwavering commitment to discovering and promoting new voices in music.
Her passion for talent discovery and development didn’t stop there. In 2016, she founded two more platforms: The Zone Agency and The Basement Gig. Both ventures were extensions of her vision to uplift and spotlight Africa’s next generation of entertainers, cementing her reputation as a force in the industry’s talent pipeline.
Osagie’s managerial prowess reached new heights in 2020, when she was appointed Country Manager for OnErpm, a digital distribution company and record label. In this role, she managed operations across Nigeria, overseeing the growth of independent artists and the distribution of their music. Two years later, her expertise earned her a promotion to A&R (Artists & Repertoire) for the entire African continent—a role in which she continues to shape the future of African music on a global scale.
In addition to her accomplishments in music, Osagie co-launched GOSI TV, an online TV channel for independent creators, alongside Uche Odoh. This platform empowers content creators, scriptwriters, and actors, offering them an avenue to express their creativity without the constraints of traditional media. Through GOSI TV, Osagie has extended her impact beyond music, advocating for the independence and visibility of Africa’s creative voices across all mediums.
Osagie Osarenkhoe has consistently proven herself as one of Africa’s most brilliant minds in the entertainment industry. Her innovative ventures and talent for nurturing future stars make her a true architect behind some of the biggest names in African entertainment. Despite not being a household name herself, Osagie’s influence is felt throughout the industry, and she deserves to be celebrated for her contributions as the unsung hero behind the household names we know today.
