This week, upcoming artiste, King David Olisa Israel, famously known as TUFF KING, made his first Top Ten entry on the Official Top 100 Albums chart. ‘BLACK SHEEPIZEN (The 13th Disciple)’  which debuted at No. 32 last week has now moved up to No. 5 on the Official Top 100 Albums chart. This week, it sold about 2,040 album units which is equivalent to 3.06 million on-demand streams. At just two weeks on the chart, its total on-demand streams reached 4.07 million. This is also the artiste’s first-ever entry on the chart. The rise of the album is also accompanied by the singles and is noticeable on the Official Singles chart. On the Official Nigeria Top 100 chart, TUFF KING’s "Suppressed Desires” & “Nkemakonam,” rank at No. 48 and No. 88 respectively. “Nkemakonam,” was the first single released off the ‘BLACK SHEEPIZEN (The 13th Disciple)’ album in late 2025 and it peaked at No. 73.

This has earned TUFF KING’s manager, Onyedikachi Uzodinma (Tripbeatz), the executive of the week title. Tripbeatz is a project & brand manager and an executive producer. 

In this exclusive interview with TurnTable, Tripbeatz discusses his role in TUFF KING’s team, the artiste’s talent, the intentionality behind his brand, and so much more. 

TTC: Can you talk about your role and the work you do in supporting TUFF KING and his team? 

Tripbeatz: My name is Onyedikachi Uzodinma, popularly known as Tripbeatz. On TUFF KING’s team, I am the project and brand manager. I also played the role of executive producer on the  ‘BLACK SHEEPIZEN (The 13th Disciple)’ album.

TTC: You are Executive of the Week as TUFF KING secures his first two entries on the Official Nigeria Top 100, with “Suppressed Desires” at No. 48 and “Nkemakonam” debuting at No. 99 and climbing to No. 88. At what point did you start sensing the project had the potential to become a breakthrough moment for him? 

Tripbeatz: Thank you very much. From the first time I listened to TUFF KING, I knew. I knew he had it in him and I didn’t think twice about how huge his potential would be. It was one of the first things I said to him during our first meeting and recording session. Which is why it was no surprise how far ‘BLACK SHEEPIZEN (The 13th Disciple)’ has come.

TTC: ‘BLACK SHEEPIZEN (The 13th Disciple)’ also debuted at No. 5 on the Official Top 100 Albums chart. Was the rollout always structured to drive both album and singles performance simultaneously, or did that happen organically as the music connected with listeners? 

Tripbeatz: I would say they both played well together, hand in hand. Of course, we wanted the album to perform well across all metrics but the fans listened to the project and decided they wanted it all. It’s a great outcome for all involved. 

TTC: “Nkemakonam” was released in late 2025 but is only now gaining traction on the charts. What specific moves, whether in marketing, distribution, or audience targeting, helped the song find new life on the charts?  

Tripbeatz: Everything points back to the brand, TUFF KING. It was all about him. The release of the album and majorly his “being” is the totality of everything that made the marketing, distribution and audience targeting turnout to amount to what we see today. He was the sauce needed in the stew.

TTC: Behind the scenes, what were some of the key decisions your team made that helped position both the album and its songs to reach this level? 

Tripbeatz: The A&R phase.

TTC: At this stage of TUFF KING’s career, how do you plan to make him stay authentic to his sound while also positioning him for wider commercial appeal?  

Tripbeatz: It’s obvious that he’s already authentic but then again, every brand needs expansion and evolution from time to time. We will key into these factors and make the most of the opportunity as well as key in his personal goals, drive and talent.

TTC: With multiple entries now on the charts, are there plans to extend this moment into live performances, touring, or other fan-facing opportunities?  

Tripbeatz: Yes. As a matter of fact, it has started. 

TTC: Are there any new releases or future collaborations to look forward to?  

Tripbeatz: There’s a lot in the bag but the information will be made available at the right time. 

TTC: With this being TUFF KING’s first major chart milestone across both singles and albums, are there long-term positionings within the Nigerian music space?  

Tripbeatz: Yes. Things are being put in place to ensure we have more and more of TUFF KING. His sound has come to stay and equally evolve.  

TTC: How are you planning to build on the momentum of ‘BLACK SHEEPIZEN (The 13th Disciple)’ so this moment becomes more than just a chart entry?  

Tripbeatz: As mentioned earlier, a lot of key moves will take place along the line to ensure longevity. 

TTC: From a management perspective, what would you say has been the biggest lesson from this campaign?  

Tripbeatz: Throughout the course of this journey, I would say laying a strong foundation for the artiste and then the production phase is as important as other structures be it marketing or any other conventional rollout structures.