Why I Founded Golden Doves
When I was living in Oxford, England, studying for my A-levels at D’Overbroeck’s, I began exploring my passion for music — initially, just as a hobby. My first song, Try to Know Me, was inspired by a high school poem I had read in Nigeria titled If You Should Know Me. The poem focused on social injustice in apartheid-era South Africa, where prejudice blinded many from seeing the humanity of Black South Africans. That poem deeply moved me, and it became the foundation for my songwriting journey. Soon after, I wrote two or three more songs.
While in England, I began writing as many as ten songs a day after classes. I sent these lyrics to producers who created backing tracks based on my detailed instructions. I would then travel to studios in London or Oxford to record. One particular moment stands out — I reached out to a fellow parent at my children’s private school, who lived near Sir Richard Branson. She introduced me to one of his producers, who operated a home studio in their stunning residence.
He was welcoming and took me to the studio adjacent to the main house. I remember walking through a beautifully adorned living room with family portraits on the walls. He made it clear: recording at his studio didn’t guarantee a record deal — the music still had to pass their review. I agreed. After our meeting, he handed me what looked like a Bible — a catalog of private contacts for some of the most influential producers and record companies in the world. He made me swear never to share it.
From that catalog, I contacted Craig Pruess, a producer who had worked with British icon Cliff Richard. After recording my song Don’t Cry for Me, I brought it to Virgin Records in London. They told me they would review it and contact me within a few days. On the third day — a memorable one, as Madonna happened to be in town and the West End was buzzing with paparazzi — I called Virgin. I was nervous. But the A&R representative said, “Dupsy, you passed.” I was halfway in.
They asked for three more professionally produced songs, but I couldn’t deliver. At that point, I was recently divorced and had no financial support to record the additional tracks. My demos weren’t polished enough, and I didn’t want to submit anything less than my best. That moment ended what could have been a breakthrough.
I had similar responses from several other record labels — each one asked for more. One A&R executive even offered to begin recording immediately, but the offer came with personal expectations I wasn’t willing to meet. I never showed up the next morning.
Looking back now, I see how much the industry has evolved. Today, with the power of social media and digital platforms, artists can reach millions without gatekeepers demanding three perfect songs upfront. This change excites me.
That’s why I founded Golden Doves Entertainment Inc. Our mission is to open doors for talented, hungry, and hardworking artists. If you have the voice, the passion, and the discipline, we will help you cultivate your talent and make your dream a reality.
At Golden Doves, we give credit where it’s due — especially to songwriters — and we believe in artist input and collaboration. We’re here to make you shine.
