In recent years, the bulk of what has been said of Nigeria’s Garden City, Port Harcourt has been anything but positive. From incessant reports of abductions, robbery, to jungle justice, environmental hazard and political tension, the beauty of Rivers state has been clouded by negative press – so much that its creative industry and vibrant youth culture has had to take a fall.
Although all has been well, the effect of bad media representation continues to repress the good of the city and this is in fact what rapper, Victor Akpomon who goes by the moniker, Dr. Barz tackles with his single titled GPH.
The track finds him debunking the negative narrative that has been trailing the city whilst shinning a light on the beauty and progress that residents now enjoy. “Agbero boys don dey go school, some of them dey work for Ikoku. Instead of boys to go buy guns, dem dey buy clothes for Mile 1. My city on the rise like BP, if you are still doing crime you are sleeping… Aboy show me one bad road, no hold-up for Aba road…”, the rapper opened on the record.
Much like other cities, Port Harcourt boasts of a growing and vibrant creative industry and talents that have contributed immensely to the growth of Nigeria’s enviable entertainment and arts sector.
Thanks to the resilience of PH-based creatives like Dr. Barz, the Port Harcourt through the power of art is reclaiming its position as a praise-worthy creative hub and one of the fastest developing cities on the continent.