What is music to you? What does music do to you? Is it an escape route from your stressful routines of life or your source of distractions from life realities? The truth is music is everything and anything you desire it to be. The Nigeria music industry is currently on an ascendancy which so many never envisaged. Different genres have over the years sprung up and are still being developed by creative minds.
Looking back from where we started to our contemporary times, I believe the influence of music in our lives is overwhelming. But there are certain ill trends in our contemporary music industry that are gradually becoming a way of life and if not checked, possess serious threat to the upright norms and values enshrined in our hearts as Africans.
Many grew up listening to Apala music sung by Haruna Ishola and co in the west, chief Osita Osadebe in the east etc. The words of these legends melted stony hearts. They were prominent in the 50s, 60s and 70s. I remember seeing my grandparents come alive whenever an Apala song is played on the radio. Listening to the lyrics of these songs, my perception about life and Nigeria was shaped. In the 70s, we were blessed with afro which was epitomized by the music legend himself, Fela Anikulapo Kuti.
We also had the reggae ‘let there be rain’ crooner Majek Fasek. Both Fela and Majek Fasek used their music to address predominant issues facing the country irrespective of the autocratic military rule that threatened freedom of speech and expression. They were not fazed by the threats of life but used music to pass encrypted messages to the populace because they knew the power music possess in the polity. It’s noteworthy to state that, during these growing periods, Nigeria’s music industry had little economic gain.
Fast forward to the 2000s, Nigeria’s music industry has become so vast and dynamic with huge economic gain but on a personal opinion has however taken a cultural downslide. The trends in Nigeria’s music industry is becoming worrisome to many. Many might not have noticed the unilateral path followed by our musicians. At a point, our music sounded alike and tiring. Although this is still our present day reality, gradually, our music industry is beginning to expand and explore other genres. Although the dance step in vogue determines the pace and melody of our songs, new acts are beginning to carve an inch irrespective of the trends. Sometimes I wonder if our grandparents were also conscious about the songs our parents listened to.
The glorification of money and promiscuity in our music industry has endangered our civility and moral standards. Our songs are now desperately glorifying attaining wealth at all cost, good or bad. Gone are the days when life messages were gotten from majority of released songs, now the music beat is what we groove to and not the lyrics or message being passed across. Although many say that the type of music released is determined by the acceptability of ‘fans’ but I ask, if that’s so, how come Fela’s songs with mind-blowing lyrics are still evergreen?
Gradually, genres like Apala and afro beat which many felt are extinct are coming alive in our today’s music industry. Now there are blends of genres which showcase our industriousness and creativity as a talented people. The advancement in technology has made it possible for acts to test their feet in diverse waters as well as break forth from the restraining force of musical unilateralism.
Attaining stardom is the utmost desire of many and that is why they follow the crowd but music legends like 2face Idiabia has impacted in lives through the weighty lyrics that make up his songs and he’s also attained and sustained stardom over a long period of time. In Nfana ibaga he said ‘ …So I promise I go use my music to dey shine the light…’ and I believe he has kept true to his words in majority of his songs.
Our music industry is going global and becoming a pride to the Nigerian state but what legacy will our acts leave when their time is up? Yes, as Nigerians we are blessed with talents but these talents need to also address societal issues and use their music to give hope to the weak. I believe as Nigerians we are proud of our music industry but we are also concerned about the messages being passed through these songs.
Infants now easily access songs through technology and get swiftly influenced with what they hear. Parents can’t be there to monitor the songs kids listen to at all times so it’s up to our musicians to uphold standard African morals. Enough of imitating European culture. As Africans, our music can showcase our diverse and exciting cultures and values, as well as change the western world’s perceptions about us.
Very true. Nice write up
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