Nigerian songs
About a couple of decades ago, I remember vividly how boys of my age then used to buy book of lyrics which comprises songs of foreign artistes such as Craig David, Nelly, Usher Raymond, Michael Jackson, Westlife, Cece Winnans, Ron Kennolly, and so on.
Before our time, classic men and women listened to foreign genre of music that brings melodies to their ears as well as magic to their feet.
Fast-forward to the early 2000s, new crop of Nigerian artistes tried to bring the foreign genre to dislodge. Our Nigerian music is now competing with the foreign artistes that has got music lovers addicted to their sounds.
Eddy Remedy, JJC & 419 Squad, Tony Tetuila, and the likes gave birth to the Nigerian pop. Even though the acceptance wasn’t total; yet few could relate to their vibes and sounds. Many ‘Wazzup guys’ still feel the foreign songs hits better. Guys still have posters of G-Unit, Lil Wayne, Destiny Child, and the likes on their walls. Also, Walkman & other music playing devices still blazes to the ‘Go shawty’ sounds.
Two more decades added to the new millennium, Nigerian songs have taken over. They have kicked out or let’s say are kicking out foreign songs.
Big Brother Naija host, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu was quick to notice this during one of the Saturday night parties of the Big Brother Naija Lockdown show. The TV host tweeted on how Nigerian songs have replaced the foreign sounds. Disk jockeys played Nigerian songs for hours on the dance floor.
Nigerians now relate to their own-made genre such as Afro-pop, Afro-beats, Apala-pop, Afro-soul and other foreign induced sounds.
If Nigeria hasn’t developed in any sector since her independence 60 years ago, it is safe to say that the Nigerian entertainment industry (music & film) have begged to differ. Nigerian songs are enjoying massive airplay and streaming worldwide.
The likes of Wizkid, Davido, Burna Boy, Tiwa Savage, Olamide, Rema, Fireboy DML, YemiAlade and so on have become household names which have made foreign labels to get their inks on paper.
It has been said that some of the foreign artistes uses Nigerian sounds to revive their dying career; this is to tell how far the Nigerian music industry has gone.
Nigerians now relate to their languages, lifestyle, and their environment through their music which is also getting the attention of foreign listeners and has taken over foreign sounds in the country.
No wonder Nigerian artistes are getting international recognitions while they are also having a huge fan base in the country. You’ll definitely see ‘Marlians’ representing Naira Marley on the streets of Nigeria while Wizkid, Davido, Burna Boy, and other artistes are more than poster boys but a voice to the generation as seen during the recent #ENDSARS protest.
We have to give kudos to the artistes, producers, disk jockeys that have made this possible. If we have got a brand that has launched us to the world then the entertainment industry has been on top of the list.
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