Akinyemi Ayinoluwa, a partner at Hightower Solicitors and Advocate, is an entertainment lawyer who was listed by Billboard as one of the world’s most significant music lawyers for 2025.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the honor demonstrates Ayinoluwa’s outstanding proficiency in music law and commitment to defending the rights of composers and record producers.
Ayinoluwa’s Hightower Solicitors recently finalized a publishing deal with the multinational music company Empire Music, according to Billboard’s April edition.
Additionally, with Ragee, a well-known Afrobeats producer who co-produced Chris Brown’s “Sensational,” which was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2025 for Best African Music Performance.
This accomplishment demonstrates Hightower’s proficiency in helping customers create viable music catalogs.
“I feel blessed to be recognized by Billboard as one of the most important music lawyers in the world,” Ayinoluwa stated in an interview with NAN.
“This is dedicated to my late father, who not only introduced me to the legal profession but also accommodated my love of music and taught me the discipline to stay on a journey.”
yinoluwa said that his journey in music law began when he realised that record producers and songwriters were often marginalised and underrepresented in the industry.
“As a young lawyer, I saw an opportunity to make a difference, and I have since dedicated my career to advocating for their rights.
“For the past 13 years, I’ve been championing record producers and songwriters.
“I think the reason for that is because, as a young lawyer at that time, I was in my third year of being a lawyer, and the recording artists were already doing well.
Record producers and composers were the underrepresented and marginalized people in the music industry, and it was difficult for a new lawyer to possibly represent them,” he stated.
According to Ayinoluwa, he specializes in representing recording artists, songwriters, record producers, record labels, music investors, and talent managers in his music law practice.
He claimed that comprehending the goals and suffering of clients was one of the key factors in developing enduring connections with them.
“When you understand it, it’s easy to guide them through all the legal challenges that might arise as they continue to proceed with their journey in music,” he said.
According to Akinyemi, the biggest challenge facing Nigerian record producers and songwriters is being compensated appropriately for their work.
“My recognition will inspire me to do more, to do more qualitative work, and to continue to champion the interests of our clients.
“I think it helps to show that, yes, there’s excellence in Africa. African lawyers can do important work,” he said.
Looking to the future, Ayinoluwa said he was excited to announce a mentorship programme to support the next generation of Nigerian entertainment lawyers.
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