A Career Killer? Ubi Franklin Explains His Ban on Female Artistes Getting Pregnant During Their Contract Period

 

Managing a career in the entertainment industry is a complex and demanding task, and for Ubi Franklin, who runs the Made Men Music Group (Triple MG), there are specific factors he believes significantly impact an artiste's success. Among the many challenges faced by artistes, particularly women, one has caught significant attention: pregnancy. In a candid conversation on the Culture Sonic podcast, Franklin shared his rationale behind a rather controversial rule he set for his female signees. He revealed that he would prohibit them from becoming pregnant while signed to his label, explaining that motherhood could jeopardize their careers.

Franklin's argument centered on the notion that pregnancy can halt the momentum of a female artiste’s career. He emphasized that without a well-established and solidified career foundation, it is particularly difficult for a female artiste to bounce back to her previous level of success after having a child. According to Franklin, the nature of the music industry, especially in Nigeria, leaves little room for a female artiste to pause their career and still expect to regain the same level of influence or audience when they return.

"Just imagine you are investing in a female artiste, and she gets pregnant. That could be the end because it will take so much to help her bounce back," Franklin said during the podcast. He pointed out that a successful comeback after childbirth is far from guaranteed and can often lead to a slow decline in relevance. Franklin’s observations were not made to diminish the importance of motherhood, but rather to highlight the practical challenges the music industry presents for women, especially those without a robust career backing them.

The topic, while sensitive, isn't new in the world of show business. The question of how personal decisions such as pregnancy affect professional lives has been discussed and debated for years. However, Franklin's approach, which includes incorporating a pregnancy clause in contracts with his female artistes, adds a new level of seriousness to the conversation. He stated that this stipulation is part of his strategy to ensure his artistes focus entirely on their careers until they reach a point of stability and success.

However, the issue raises a larger conversation about the treatment and expectations placed on women in the entertainment industry. Female artistes, like many women in various professional fields, often face higher expectations compared to their male counterparts. While a male artiste may continue to work and thrive during periods of personal development, women are frequently expected to balance both their personal and professional lives under a much more scrutinizing public eye.

Franklin’s stance is not without its critics. Some argue that such a restriction unfairly targets female artistes, as it disregards their right to family planning and motherhood. For many, motherhood is a significant life event that should not be undermined in the name of career progression. Furthermore, critics question whether the music industry should be so rigid in defining success, especially when there are numerous examples of female artistes worldwide who have balanced their personal lives and careers.

Globally, female artistes like Beyoncé, Adele, and Rihanna have managed to continue thriving after becoming mothers, disproving the idea that pregnancy necessarily equates to career downfall. Franklin, however, challenges these examples, arguing that the music industry in Nigeria has its own unique dynamics that are not always conducive to balancing career and family life, especially for female artistes.

While the notion of restricting pregnancy during a contract period may seem extreme to some, Franklin’s perspective comes from his experience managing artistes in a highly competitive environment. He insists that his decision to include such a clause is not out of malice but rather out of a desire to protect the careers of his female signees and ensure that they have the best possible chances of success. In his view, a strong career foundation is essential before considering motherhood, particularly in an industry that demands constant visibility and active participation.

Franklin also made it clear that this is not to say that women cannot have children, but that the priority should be to establish a strong career first. He emphasized the importance of building a solid reputation, fanbase, and music catalogue before taking a break for motherhood. This, in his opinion, gives an artiste the best chance to recover and regain their position in the competitive entertainment industry after childbirth.

The issue at hand is far from black and white, and many will continue to debate the balance between career and family for women in the entertainment sector. While Franklin’s approach may be seen as harsh by some, it underscores the challenges women face when it comes to their personal and professional lives in the spotlight. Moving forward, it remains to be seen whether the music industry will ever shift towards a more inclusive and supportive environment for female artistes, where career and motherhood can coexist harmoniously.