A raging debate broke out in July 2009 after Reuben Abati journalist, social activist and educator, wrote his famous (or infamous depends on your side of the coin) article about the music industry and the harmful effects of our lyrics. He also talked about the decadence of our generation (which I hear he is a part of). Anyway, Dr. Abati made some valid points but some artistes were piqued at his daring and they replied him. In the ensuing verbal melee, I was asked to contribute my opinion.

I have been accused of propensity towards a Laissez Faire (let nature run its course) attitude when it is expected that I should have a judgment on issues. Well, if I were asked my take on the raging debate about nomenclatures and ‘Naija’ (ooops! forgive me Uncle Reuben!) music, I would say bemusement and maybe some amusement.

Why? I’m bewildered that our artists’ think Uncle Reuben (no relative of mine) has committed the unforgivable sin by his tad bit ‘too critical’ observations. Reuben Abati coming down hard is indicative that he probably was driven by genuine desire for improvements in our content and individual artistic development rather than ruining careers. Also, the fact that those who determine the commercial success of a song are not necessarily discerning music followers should not be discounted. This affects the quality of songs.

Now for some fun arrow shooting!

My Bemusement

Recently, I read Don Jazzy‘s interview with a well-known soft sell magazine. He was quoted as saying ‘D’banj is not a fantastic singer’ or something in that context. Oh, I must also mention that the vocally impressive Banky Wellington aka Banky W during a chat with a very ‘hip’ TV music channel said listening to M.I’s album made him feel awful about his (Banky’s) recently released album. And there is Eldee who, prior to being a Naija (what is wrong with my hands?) returnee, had lived many years overseas developing his art as a musician..!!? I’d love to see details of his recorded or produced songs on any American music chart, number on the chart irrespective.

Aaah! I bet nobody wants to be reminded of the 9ice debacle during the Zain organised musical tribute for Nelson Mandela. Or like a Next 234 columnist wrote, “who wants to know about 2 years ago when Wande Coal was in Mushin?”

Hear this creative friends, Naija’s artistic environment is not a dumping ground for mediocrity; loud and unequivocally clear. When our predecessors Orlando Owoh, Dan Maraya Jos, Victor Uwaifo (the guitar boy), King Sunny Ade, Oliver de Coque and tons of other exquisite artists started out, they did with live musical performances. They pounded the tough turf of road gigs and band rehearsals and learnt how to sync with different musical instruments. Small wonder Sunny Ade has been made Artiste-in-Residence, Distinguished Fellow and music Lecturer at Obafemi Awolowo University? Eeehm, but he can’t speak ‘fone’ and maybe semantically straight English someone says. Who cares! I want him to transfer his ingenuity, stage craft and expansive musical knowledge, built from conscientious study, to my children. I’ll hire an English tutor for grammar.

Might I dare to oppose the respected leader of thought?

My Amusement

Yes oh Uncle Reuben, I have bones to pick. It appears there may be a disconnection between you and people of this generation to which I have on good authority that you belong. Nevertheless, we refuse to allude our obvious incompetence to the inability of previous generations to lay sustainable life foundations.

It is though true that this current music generation is creating a spin-off industry of clothes makers, brand managers, show promoters, Alaba pirates and the list goes on like never before.

However, I can’t shake off the foreboding thought that every thriving human venture (prostitution inclusive) will spawn people who will feed off it.

Well, I can point accusing fingers at the 20th century Naija (you would have to get used to this word) musician, for tainting impressionable young minds (like mine!) with suggestive lyrics like ‘What do you have under, what do you desire; Sweet banana!’. I remember my father plugging my ears and later he out rightly refrained me from listening to this crap.

I still cringe when I hear 40, 50, 60 year old men gleefully talk obscenity at social gatherings or even in some newsrooms! Now, what do you expect? This new-age artists are a brazenly remodelled package of what had been. What we sow is what we reap.

As for the nomenclatures, I would rise in defence of Flora Shaw by asking that we treat her relationship with Lord Lugard with a little more propriety. In the prevailing Naija cultural setting, there is no such thing as a mistress. Besides, she ended up being his wife, so what biased history lessons are we giving uninformed readers? We also know that the nomenclature Nigeria is still being subjected to discourse and counter analysis… does it truly reflect our status as a blissfully content Nation?

Choosing a concocted moniker, as an artiste brand title, is globally acceptable. Banky W was on spot when he observed this aptly as keeping your eyes on the business side of Show Business. We must not adopt double standards; one law for all. If I am a journalist or author and choose to write under a pseudonym, as Mary Ann Evans (George Eliot) or Charles Dodgson (Lewis Carroll) did, it doesn’t mean I cease to be Adenrele Niyi. New Yorkers would never forget the cultural or historical import of their city just because it is called the Big Apple. Same applies to Lagosians aka Las Gidians or Nigerians aka Naija peeps.

I’ve had a good laugh and I am a woman under authority; page restrictions. Nevertheless, I wrote two interesting and enlightening articles earlier this year, one of which is presented here, prior to any of these shenanigans. They were and still remain my candid take on what I perceive in our 21st century, all-the-rage yet deficient music industry.