Toks Asher Young
{{Short description|Nigerian entrepreneur}}
{{Undisclosed paid|date=April 2020}}
{{Infobox person
|name = Tochukwu Young Umezulike
|image = File:Toks Asher Young.jpg
|caption =
|birth_date =
|birth_place = Adazi, Anambra State
|nationality = Nigerian
|occupation = {{hlist|Talent manager|entrepreneur|executive producer|author}}
|alma_mater = Nnamdi Azikiwe University
|spouse =
|website ={{URL|http://toksasheryoung.com}}
}}
Tochukwu Young Umezulike {{IPAc-en||audio=Ig-Tochukwu Young Umezulik.ogg}}, better known as Toks Asher Young, is a Nigerian talent manager, entrepreneur and executive producer. He is also the author of the book, DEUCES: An Anthology of WORDS, RHYMES & POEMS.{{Cite web|url= https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/09/a-case-for-chivalry-and-romance/ |title=A case for chivalry and romance|website=Vanguard|access-date= 28 October 2020}}
Early life and education
Toks Asher Young was born in Adazi, Anambra State and raised in Enugu State. He hails from Umueji, Ufuma, in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State. Young is a graduate of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka in Anambra State, where he studied Electromechanics and was later posted to Ise Orun Council, Ekiti State for his one-year national service.{{Cite web|url=https://www.newtelegraphng.com/2019/11/seven-major-things-artiste-needs-to-do-good-music-toks/|title=Seven major things artiste needs to do good music – Toks|website=New Telegraph|access-date=4 December 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.eelive.ng/toks-asher-young-7-things-an-artiste-needs-to-make-good-music/|title=Toks Asher Young: 7 Things An Artiste Needs to Make Good Music|website=Eelive|date=2 December 2019 |access-date=4 December 2019}}
Career
In 2007/2008, Juju, a dancehall artiste living in Amsterdam, made Young his manager after Young had helped him secure a collaboration with 2Baba, plan his album launch, and debut in the Nigerian Music industry.{{Cite web |title=The Nigerian Music Industry: Thinking It’s All Entertainment – TASMAG Online Magazine |url=https://tasmag.com/the-nigerian-music-industry-thinking-its-all-entertainment/ |access-date=2024-06-20 |website=tasmag.com}}{{Cite web|url= https://dailytimesng.com/j-twiz-enta-10-ment-appoints-toks-asher-young-as-head-of-talent-and-artist-management/| title=J-Twiz Enta-10-ment Appoints Toks Asher Young as Head of Talent and Artist Management|website= The Daily Times|language=en-US}}
The following year, Young became General Pype's manager and realized he could pursue talent management as a career, resulting in the start of his career as a talent manager.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2009/09/10/general-pype-inks-strategic-jv-with-storm-360-records-to-expand-musical-reach/|title=General Pype Inks Strategic JV with Storm 360 Records to Expand Musical Reach|website=This Day|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|url= https://www.bellanaija.com/2010/07/champion-for-life-general-pypes-champion-licensed-by-supersport/|title=Champion For Life! General Pype’s ‘Champion’ licensed by SuperSport|website=Bella Naija|language=en-US}} In addition to managing General Pype, Young was also the general manager and co-founder of Podium Worldwide (also known as Podium Vybez).[https://www.newtelegraphng.com/general-pype-lands-supersport-licensing-deal/ "General Pype Lands Supersport Licensing Deal"], New Telegraph, July 6, 2022.[https://thenationonlineng.net/general-pype-signs-mega-licensing-deal-with-supersports/ "General Pype signs mega licensing deal with Supersports"], The Nation, July 6, 2022
In 2009, Young and Storm Records executive produced "Champion" by dancehall artist General Pype.[https://www.vanguardngr.com/2010/11/champion-remix-by-general-pype-wins-big-at-the-chomva-2010/ "Champion Remix by General Pype wins big At The CHOMVA 2010"], Vanguard, July 6, 2022.[https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2020/03/06/tochukwu-umezulike-a-quintessential-artiste-manager/ "Tochukwu Umezulike: A Quintessential Artiste Manager"], This Day, July 6, 2022{{Cite web|url=https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2009/01/05/meet-toks-asher-young-the-visionary-talent-manager-behind-general-pype/|title=Meet Toks Asher Young: The Visionary Talent Manager Behind General Pype|website= This Day|language=en-US}}
In June 2014, Young got a contract from former Etisalat, now known as 9Mobile, to be the talent manager for their Cloud Nine musical event series held in Port Harcourt and Abuja, Nigeria.[https://thenationonlineng.net/etisalat-takes-cloudnine-sessions-to-port-harcourt/ "Etisalat takes cloudnine sessions to Port-Harcourt"], The Nation, July 7, 2022[https://www.newtelegraphng.com/harrow-park-golf-club-abuja-hosts-etisalat-cloud-nine/ "Harrow Park Golf Club Abuja Hosts Etisalat Cloud Nine"], New Telegraph, July 7, 2022.{{Cite web|url=https://tribuneonlineng.com/nigerian-telecom-company-etisalat-engages-toks-asher-young-for-cloud-nine-sessions| title=Nigerian Telecom Company Etisalat Engages Toks Asher Young for Cloud Nine Sessions|website= Nigerian Tribune|language=en-US}}
In 2017, Young was the resident judge for the first edition of THE GROUNDED TALENT SEARCH which was won by BShine, an indigenous hiphop artist based in Enugu State, Nigeria.{{Cite web|url=http://blueprintafric.com/public/index.php/2017/03/meet_the_first_winner_of_grounded_talent_search_2017_celebrities_that_showed_up_and_lots_more_|title=Meet the First Winner of Grounded Talent Search 2017, Celebrities that showed up and lots more!|website=Blueprint Afric|access-date=7 December 2019}} He also modeled for Zlni Couture’s 2017 Summer collection.[https://guardian.ng/saturday-magazine/fashion/zini-couture-unveils-its-2017-summer-collection/ "Zini couture unveils its 2017 summer collection"], The Guardian, July 12, 2022.
Young has worked with some public figures like Kenny "Keke" Ogungbe, Dayo "D1" Adeneye, Obi Asika, and Ayo Rotimi, who also mentored him in his career.
He is the manager for Naeto C, Yung6ix, Kollydee and Grindha.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sunnewsonline.com/award-winner-toks-asher-soars/|title=Award winner, Toks Asher soars|website=The Sun|date=6 December 2019 |access-date=7 December 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://m.guardian.ng/art/toks-asher-music-is-my-first-love/|title=Toks Asher Music is my first love|website=The Guardian|date=17 November 2019 |access-date=4 December 2019}}
Production credit
In 2010, the "Champion (Remix)" video, executive produced by Young, won the award for Best Ragga Dancehall Video at the Channel O Music Video Awards.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sunnewsonline.com/toks-artist-general-pype-bags-channel-o-award/|title=Toks' Artist General Pype Bags Channel O Award|website=The Sun|date=9 December 2019 |access-date=4 January 2020}}
Awards
References
{{Reflist}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Young, Toks Asher}}
Category:Nigerian film producers