A wise man once said to me, Kaycee, invest in your social capital, do not bother about knowing or having the talent. I didn't understand what that meant until almost a decade later.
Let me give you an instance. The most intelligent woman the world has seen is Kris Jenner, Kim Kardashian's mother.
How she nurtured and groomed six children into millionaires without any actual talent is something your favourite professor can't and won't be able to teach you or decipher.
I have managed talents and have come across a couple of very talented people that never took off. I have seen the not very gifted people reach heights that even superman can't reach because they understand an elementary fact, that true riches lie in a man's network, not his net worth. 'Mmaduka' is not just a name in the Igbo Language. It is the very essence with which we measure true wealth.
I usually do not pay attention to people I consider overnight sensations, and I
only listened to Portable's music for the first time last Friday. Before that, all I see and know of him are the snippets I hear and see on social media. I don't take such hype seriously.
When the first news broke of Portable leaving his managers and walking away because he got 600 USD, I knew he wouldn't go far. He met all the top celebrities in less than a month, visited a few influential folks, and got car gifts. I was only waiting for the sequel.
Usually, I wouldn't bother with writing epistles like this because an artist walked away from his people, but I am doing it to teach you! Yes, you! Whatever talent you think you possess is as valuable as sharp sand to the man living by the seashore.
Poco Lee and Kogbagidi's talent and input are more valuable than whatever creativity Portable brought to the table. As a matter of fact, besides the capital investment, their social investment is worth ten times his contributions, and it wouldn't be a crime if all he gets is a robust 10% for his contributions.
I know artists who offered to buy a one million naira table for five million. Yes, you heard me, five million if they get the opportunity to sit with Wizkid backstage. Think about it, that is four million to sit, not even to introduce them, to sit and they will handle the rest themselves.
Some creature who needed first to be locked up in a house, re-orientate and rehabilitate him and his mind got that opportunity on a platter, and he decided to act a fool.
I won't blame him much. The entire team failed to understand that every poor and hungry person is loyal until they get a little money or fame.
On the other hand, we, the talentless lot, have failed these talents. We have been unable to make them see value in our talentless nature. We have failed to teach them before handing them millions. We have also failed to teach rich, talented illiterates financial literacy.
I have no actual talent. I am just a guy surviving.
By the way, this is me crying for help. Someone come teach me something.
By Kaycee Ogujiofor
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