In this piece, Akpofure Shedrack pays homage to some of the musicians that have managed to remain relevant in the Nigerian entertainment industry.
‘Simply because of our love for some of our idols we just cannot accept the fact that age is catching up on them.
‘Just like in football, fans of this generation are finding it hard to accept that the ever super force Cristiano Ronaldo is fast becoming a spent force.
‘Unlike football that relies solely on youthful zest and has a limited time frame, music is just about for anyone.
‘We’ve grown so used to some voices over the years that we’ve become accustomed to whatever they put through. 2face, M.I, D’banj, P-Square and Banky W are some of the names that we grew up listening to.
‘And lately, many have questioned the prowess of the aforementioned names in recent times and its disheartening to think we simply do not understand they’ve transcended the images we project them to be.
‘2face is one legend we simply cannot imagine will drop the mic. Many of my fellow writers have suggested perhaps his best years are behind him.’
‘Ever youthful looking and energetic, what we are missing is the fact that he is no longer the young boy in his twenties that stole our hearts alongside his boy band Plantashun Boiz. Right now he is a father figure to so many in the industry. Highly respected and revered by many in his circle. Just days ago he clocked 41.
‘What do we expect of him? To keep singing like the Wizkids , the Davidos, and the Olamides of now?
‘He is ageing now and as such, his thinking and intellect is increasing. The kind of materials he would put out now are for the mature minded; those who have been following him right from the face 2 face days. To prove the new change, he has changed his moniker from 2face to 2baba and that should spell it for us that he has moved along with the tide.
‘What do we say of the short black boy from Jos? M.I Abaga has had an exceptional career for a rapper so many would only dream of.’
‘For a while he has been laid back, moving up in the ranks of Chocolate City Music Group to managerial roles and as such, tasked with the responsibility of looking after the young ones coming through the ranks.
‘His music content has experienced a downward overhaul but that hasn’t stopped the king from retaining his rap throne. He has evolved over the years and just when he was thought to be done for he proved everyone wrong with his performance at the Buckwyld ‘n’ Breathless concert.
‘Not everyone of them oldies has been so lucky to still be in touch though.
‘D’banj is still trying to get back to the scene. 9ice has tried to no avail to remain relevant. Eedris Abdulkareem has simply left the scene. Last we heard of Ruggedybaba he is hustling for PMAN leadership.
‘We should give credit then to the few that have managed to stay relevant, either with their music or have looked for other means to stay in the public eye.
‘Banky W has evolved into a music director, actor and right now, he is the toast of several corporate bodies due to a scandal free career he has succeeded in keeping over the years.
‘Just like the leopard that never loses it spots, these legends have shown that they are not done and dusted. They’ve only taken on the veteran title with pride.
‘It is a known fact that the Nigerian music industry has no proper structure or strategy for artistes that have passed their youthful era and as such we should celebrate and applaud these great men for finding a way to bridge the gap between the old and the youth. They’ve taken on the task doggedly and proved to us that the quickest way to get between two points is a straight line.
‘They came, saw and conquered, and though it has been said that for every artiste there is season, these guys keep proving there’s still more left in them.
‘They can still dictate the game. Simply put they are now ‘veterans not done and dusted’.’
No Fields Found.