Meet Cos Canino; UDR Internet Radio Owner, Promoter & Co-Founder Nigerian Entertainment Awards
Today Innov8tiv catches you with the very busy Serial Entrepreneur Cos Canino. Not only is he a Co-Founder of the largest Africans in Diaspora award show called NEA (Nigerian Entertainment Awards) but he also is a concert promoter bringing in big named Nigerian artist such as Iyanya, Wizkid and P-Square to perform in various Metropolitan USA Cities which includes his current hometown of New York City. In addition to his other business ventures, Cos launched UnderDaRock (UDR) internet radio station which is touching the four corners of the world. Without further delay, let’s hear from Cos Canino himself.
Who is Cos Canino?
My real name is Cosmas Collins but better known as Cos Canino. I am crazy about life and even more about music. I am a husband and a father with a work hard and play hard state of mind.
What inspired you to enter the entertainment sector?
From a very young age I have always been in love with entertainment, particularly music. When I was in high school back in London England, I was part of a Hip Hop group called “The Ryhme Wreckerz”. Back in 1995 at 6th form college Aaliyah visited our college and fell in love with the group, she introduced us to the A&R at East West records and we were eventually signed. Through that I met a lot of industry insiders including Lil Kim, Busta Rhymes, travelled around and did several shows. Through my experience dealing with show promoters, managers, radios I realized I wanted to be on the other side of Business and that is why I formed UnderDaRock Entertainment.
What is the meaning of UnderDaRock?
My family is from Abeokuta in Nigeria and each time I go to Nigeria I always visit the Olumo Rock which is a rock known to the natives to bring good luck and wealth. I feel spiritually connected to the rock. Abeokuta is a Yoruba word that means Under A Rock and that’s where the name came from. Co-incidentally I started UnderDaRock to help artists that were not known to the masses to cross that barrier and name UnderDaRock also fit perfectly which is what most people think it means.
What motivates you?
To be part of something great so that years after my death, when a young person is writing a book I am also included as one of the innovators. Other than that I like to help people, it is my nature. I will go the extra miles to help someone as much as I can to accomplish their goals.
What is the most important part of running your own business?
Team building is the highest on my priority and a driven force in any successful business.
Tell us about the various brands in the UnderDaRock umbrella?
UnderDaRock LLC is the main company that embodies UDR Entertainment the promotion companies for events, UnderDaRock.com is an online entertainment magazine that has enjoyed millions of views and finally UDR Radio UDRradio.com is an online African radio.
Now you recently started the UDR Internet Radio station. What was the catalyst for that move?
Back in 2004 I used to just upload artists music online to help their fans listen and download the music. I noticed there was a huge need for it but never really expanded on it due to the promotional business.
2013 was the launch of UDR Radio, an online radio station that will not only connect Africans from all around the world but also expose the pure essence of African Music. UDR Radio is home for talented rosters of live deejays and radio hosts all from different African countries including Nigeria, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia and more.
What can listeners expect to hear while listening to UDR radio and how do you access your station?
UDR Radio is quickly being recognized as a major stage for artists such as Ice Prince, Iyanya, Emma Nyra, TuFace, Sound Sultan, D’Prince, Samini, VIP, Tiny, Eazzy, Castro, EL, Keche, (to name a few), who have all visted the UDR Radio studio recently, providing them with that much needed link to their fans across the world. You can expect to see more exclusives music and interviews from top established interviews and those upcoming artists doing exceptionally well.
Our listeners use:
- UDR Radio Official Apps
- Tunein App
- Itunes Radio
- Android
- iPhone
- Blackberry
Tell us more about the DJ’s in your program round. Are they all located in New York City?
The main studio of UDR Radio is currently located in New York where majority of our DJs operate from. But we have other djs that remote in from, Delaware, New Jersey, Houston and London England. Each DJs and hosts carry something unique with them and this is visible from the different shows.
What can we expect from UDR radio as well as your other properties for the rest of 2014?
We are currently running 4-6 hours of live shows week days and up to 12 hours of live shows on weekends. Even though we have on demand music playing when there are no live djs on, later this year you can expect us to run even more live shows as we increase our roaster of djs in the US and Europe. Technology is a major driven force in the radio business so you can expect a better technology from UDR Radio in delivering and connecting with our rapidly growing audience. We recently added a program Director, Abimbola Ettu, (better known as Abim), who brings to UDR Radio over 20 years of music industry experience which will be instrumental in our radio programming and set up.
Who are the other team members of UDR Radio
I am blessed to have a fantastic team. UDR Radio is supported full time by Executive Director Charles ‘Charlie B’ Busari; Program Director Abimbola Ettu “Abim”, Designer, Promoter ‘Sam’ Akpoh; Social Media specialist/Producer Prudia Gasson; Social Media and Promotion team Candice Ogbunugafor and Marketing and Sales Prince Jerry Sackey.
Where do you see UDR Radio 5 years from now?
To be in the forefront of Radio business and using the best and most updated technologies available to deliver to our audience.
What will you advise anyone else that wants to get into this business or upcoming entrepreneur?
Find something you really love, something you are good and find a way to make money from it.
Anything else?
A special thank you to Innov8tiv team for taking the time out for this, it’s exciting and great to receive the support from a credible company such as yours. Visit your App Store and download UDR Radio app. Thank you
For more updates on UnderDaRock, make sure you follow them by clicking on Twitter and Facebook. Also you can down load UDR Radio on Apple’s store by clicking here and you can down load it for Android on Google Play by clicking here.
