By Efe Omorogbe
When my friend, Cordelia Okpei invited me to a live discussion on Metro FM on Wednesday, December 21, 2011, save for Tee-Y Mix, she didn’t mention who the other studio guests would be. Dr. Kalejaiye of the National Institute of Cultural Orientation and respected entertainment journalist, Mr Benson Idonijie (who joined us via telephone) turned out to be the esteemed panellists with whom I had the honour of sharing space on national radio. The exchange went pretty well and turned out to be quite enlightening for me. Until Mr Idonijie did a ‘Dr Abati’.
His position in summary – there’s no structure, therefore no music industry in Nigeria. The preference of ‘American-style Hip-hop’ over traditional genres is an intolerable anomaly and the content of all things Hip-hop in Nigeria is unedifying and unhealthy for consumption by the populace.
My response – the emerging industry needs structures, no doubt. The contemporary Naija pop sound a.k.a Afrobeat to the mainstream UK market, is as Nigerian as it gets (within the context of culture in all its digital-age dynamism) and finally, there is no evidence to prove that Sound Sultan, Naeto C, Mo’Cheddah or M.I have deployed more controversial lyrics than Dr Victor Olaiya, Fela, Obesere or St. Janet – all proponents of what is in Mr Idonijie’s opinion, more traditional or better still, more ‘Nigerian’ forms of music.
True, there is quite a bit of materials within the contemporary mainstream arena that is suffused with stuff a section of the public is sensitive to. It is easy to identify materials on which some misogynistic artiste seems overly preoccupied with wine, women and weed. (‘www.binge.cum’ as some would prefer to tag it). These materials however, are not more in number than pop music with ‘wholesome’ content. Never has, never will be. There’s even no proof that these ‘offensive’ materials are bigger than the more family -friendly songs. Off the top of my head, let me run a list of some of the biggest Naija hits of the last six or so years – Olufunmi by Styl Plus, Oruka by Sunny Neji, Danfo Driver by Mad Melon and Mountain Black, Crises by African China, African Queen by 2face Idibia, I Go Chop Your Dollar by Nkem Owoh, Yahoozee by Olu Maintain, Wellu Wellu by Sammy Okposo, Igwe by Midnight Crew, Pon Pon Pon by Dagrin, Oleku by Ice Prince, Busy Body by Psquare, Gongo Aso by 9ice, Jailer by Asa, Stylee by DJ Jimmy JATT, Free Madness by Terry G, Yori Yori by Bracket, Fall In Love by D’banj, Port Harcourt First Son by Duncan Mighty, Shayo by Bigiano, Green Land by TY Bello, Fimile by Kas, Strong Tin by Banky W, Don’t Dull by Wizkid and many more.
From the above line up, it is evident that the ratio of monster hits with ‘unwholesome’ content is significantly outnumbered by regular or ‘edifying’ stuff. Bottom-line is- there’s nothing to suggest that a song would blow up just because it contains ‘offensive’ lyrics. One can talk all the trash in the world and just end up ticking people off if the material is not creatively on point. Just the same way, you can get people to ignore –if not enjoy – a master class recording even with some pretty edgy lyrical content. Probably half the guys who sing along or dance to the piece may not necessarily agree with the perspective of the writer on the very song.
Music moves people. Sometimes, it gives them little or no choice. One thing I know for sure and I’m always eager to share is this: People don’t listen to music with their ears, or heads. They listen with their hearts. It’s an emotional thing, a spiritual thing. It’s either you’re feeling the vibe, or you’re not. There’s no space for intellectual or political analysis. If a guy called Awilo makes a song people across the entire length and breadth of Nigeria are feeling to bits, it would become the biggest song out there – period. Even when no one has the foggiest idea what the hell he is talking about or how ‘unwholesome’ the lyrical content is… (to be continued)
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Zune and iPod: Most people compare the Zune to the Touch, but after seeing how slim and surprisingly small and light it is, I consider it to be a rather unique hybrid that combines qualities of both the Touch and the Nano. It’s very colorful and lovely OLED screen is slightly smaller than the touch screen, but the player itself feels quite a bit smaller and lighter. It weighs about 2/3 as much, and is noticeably smaller in width and height, while being just a hair thicker.