The Hard Lesson I Learned About Business and Sentimentality
During my time at Stingomania Records, we reached a critical turning point — one that forced us to decide where to focus our energy, advertising, and resources for the biggest impact.
Out of all our artists, we chose Trybson to be the face of the label. His music was clean, catchy, and full of potential. I believed in him deeply and kept investing, even when the market wasn’t responding.
Then, something unexpected happened.
Baba Nee, another artist on the label, released “Omo Ghetto” — the soundtrack for Funke Akindele’s blockbuster movie of the same name. 🎬
The movie became a nationwide sensation, and so did the song.
It dominated the streets, nightclubs, and parties. Everyone was talking about it.
At that moment, the market had clearly chosen our star — but I didn’t listen.
I stayed loyal to Trybson and refused to shift our attention or budget to Baba Nee, even though Baba Nee had the hot hand.
That was my biggest mistake.
⚠️ The Consequences of Sentimentality
Instead of going all in on Baba Nee’s momentum, I made the classic error of spreading our limited resources among 11 active artists.
That decision diluted our impact — none of them got the full push they needed to truly break out.
Despite all our investment in Trybson, he never fully connected with the street culture.
And when the money ran low, his loyalty disappeared.
He began publicly criticizing the label, demanded to be released from his contract, and even exposed private matters in interviews. 💔
Meanwhile, Baba Nee — the artist we failed to back — remained humble, respectful, and loyal, even though we had not supported him like we should have.
In the end, Stingomania Records lost its momentum, and I had to shut it down.
It was one of the hardest decisions of my career.
💡 What I Learned
The lesson was painful but crystal clear:
Sentimentality has no place in business.
I had allowed personal attachment and emotional loyalty to cloud my business judgment.
I should have pivoted fast and ridden Baba Nee’s winning wave while the market was hot.
In business:
🚀 Go where the energy is. Follow momentum, not emotion.
💰 Invest in what’s working. Don’t let loyalty blind you to results.
🧊 Stay objective. The market rewards strategy, not sympathy.
No one thanks you for losing money out of loyalty — because when emotion rules, both the company and the talent lose.
🧭 Looking Back
I don’t dwell on regrets, but if I could replay that moment, I would have doubled down on Baba Nee.
Who knows? His success might have lifted the entire label and changed everything.
Every entrepreneur learns this truth sooner or later:
Business rewards the bold — not the sentimental.
When you recognize your “hot hand,” don’t hesitate.
Ride it hard, ride it fast, and ride it smart.
💬 Greatness Affirmation
“I make business decisions with clarity, not emotion.
I follow results, not attachment.” ⚡
🔁 Final Thought
Sentiment feels noble — but in business, it’s often the enemy of progress.
🎯 Be loyal to results, not relationships.
🎯 Bet on momentum, not memory.
🎯 Ride the hot hand while it’s hot.
That’s how greatness is built — and sustained.