Dear Nigerian musicians,

I chose the word “musician” because it explains everything about your profession. I could not convince myself to elevate you to the status of an artiste for that word to me connotes originality, creativity and grace which most of you are deeply bereft of. So, we will manage “musician” until you heed the advice I am about to dish out on a cold, winter plate.

I still remember the first time I heard Yemi Alade’s “Ferrari”. I was on my way to work in Lagos. I felt so sober throughout that day that one would think some personal misfortune had befallen me. It suddenly dawned on me that something had to be said or done or both. I realised this was an anomaly that had slowly but steadily found its way into the minds of Nigerian musicians. A typical case of misplaced priorities.

Dear Nigerian musician, I am tired. Tired of listening to empty lyrics. Tired of dancing to good beats but intellectually unchallenging songs that leave me feeling more empty than the moments before I selectively exposed myself to your shallow, poorly-written, unstimulating songs without the feeling that a lot more could have been embedded in them to do justice to whatever theme you chose to explore. Do you know that a song, just like a good story or movie, must have a central theme and subject matter which it addresses? Do you even know what a “theme” means?
Do you know that there are several issues facing the world as I write this? Cases including but not limited to Racism, Hunger, Pain, Poverty, Political and Economic Incompetence, both natural and human-induced calamities, Diseases, even social vices etc. and music is one of the most effectively aesthetic, creative and artistic ways to not only engender awareness across a larger and most mixed human spectrum of intellectual, ethnic and racial diversification but also arouse positive responses about these problems plaguing humanity?

Do you know that there is more to music than simply shouting, “Masterkraft on the Beat”, or “Its Don Jazzy Again”, or the other annoying one, “We Are Back Again”? Do you know that there is a higher calling to your profession than simply mixing instrumentals (what you loosely call ‘beats’) or the awkward idea of aspiring to become the next GLOBACOM, MTN or GULDER ambassador? Or even the latest limiting ado about signing for ‘foreign’ record labels? Do you even know that you, dear Nigerian musician, can win a Grammy award, but only when you have done just about enough with a timeless music that does not only say, “Chop My Money” or “Baby Shake What Your Momma Gave You”, or “I Don Blow”? You see, music is not meant to be common. It is supposed to be timeless and its influence expected to transcend national or even continental borders.

Ever wondered why "We Are the World" by the United Support of Artists (USA) for Africa, remains the signature track for natural disasters and one of the world’s all time highest grossing songs ever (since its release in 1985, it has raised over $63million for humanitarian causes with about ninety percent of the money being pledged to African relief, both long and short term) or why Bob Marley’s “One Love” continues to be such an emblematic song unifying the world’s divisiveness and diversity to name but a few?
So biko, when next you go to your studio to sing your ‘hit track’, remember it is supposed to touch lives in more ways than just telling that your mysterious ‘bae’ to “wind her waist for you”.

Ndewo!!!

Griffon:
Dear Nigerian musicians,

I chose the word “musician” because it explains everything about your profession. I could not convince myself to elevate you to the status of an artiste for that word to me connotes originality, creativity and grace which most of you are deeply bereft of. So, we will manage “musician” until you heed the advice I am about to dish out on a cold, winter plate.

I still remember the first time I heard Yemi Alade’s “Ferrari”. I was on my way to work in Lagos. I felt so sober throughout that day that one would think some personal misfortune had befallen me. It suddenly dawned on me that something had to be said or done or both. I realised this was an anomaly that had slowly but steadily found its way into the minds of Nigerian musicians. A typical case of misplaced priorities.

Dear Nigerian musician, I am tired. Tired of listening to empty lyrics. Tired of dancing to good beats but intellectually unchallenging songs that leave me feeling more empty than the moments before I selectively exposed myself to your shallow, poorly-written, unstimulating songs without the feeling that a lot more could have been embedded in them to do justice to whatever theme you chose to explore. Do you know that a song, just like a good story or movie, must have a central theme and subject matter which it addresses? Do you even know what a “theme” means?
Do you know that there are several issues facing the world as I write this? Cases including but not limited to Racism, Hunger, Pain, Poverty, Political and Economic Incompetence, both natural and human-induced calamities, Diseases, even social vices etc. and music is one of the most effectively aesthetic, creative and artistic ways to not only engender awareness across a larger and most mixed human spectrum of intellectual, ethnic and racial diversification but also arouse positive responses about these problems plaguing humanity?

Do you know that there is more to music than simply shouting, “Masterkraft on the Beat”, or “Its Don Jazzy Again”, or the other annoying one, “We Are Back Again”? Do you know that there is a higher calling to your profession than simply mixing instrumentals (what you loosely call ‘beats’) or the awkward idea of aspiring to become the next GLOBACOM, MTN or GULDER ambassador? Or even the latest limiting ado about signing for ‘foreign’ record labels? Do you even know that you, dear Nigerian musician, can win a Grammy award, but only when you have done just about enough with a timeless music that does not only say, “Chop My Money” or “Baby Shake What Your Momma Gave You”, or “I Don Blow”? You see, music is not meant to be common. It is supposed to be timeless and its influence expected to transcend national or even continental borders.

Ever wondered why "We Are the World" by the United Support of Artists (USA) for Africa, remains the signature track for natural disasters and one of the world’s all time highest grossing songs ever (since its release in 1985, it has raised over $63million for humanitarian causes with about ninety percent of the money being pledged to African relief, both long and short term) or why Bob Marley’s “One Love” continues to be such an emblematic song unifying the world’s divisiveness and diversity to name but a few?
So biko, when next you go to your studio to sing your ‘hit track’, remember it is supposed to touch lives in more ways than just telling that your mysterious ‘bae’ to “wind her waist for you”.

Ndewo!!!

Lots of wisdom, guess you listen to hip hop cause that how nigerians know what they are feed by these musicians are empty lyrics. I miss fela though. Your signature is from spiritual by Jay z. I even played it today

themonk:


Lots of wisdom, guess you listen to hip hop cause that how nigerians know what they are feed by these musicians are empty lyrics. I miss fela though. Your signature is from spiritual by Jay z. I even played it today

That is my point being made. I had to crop Jay Z's line because it appealed to me and for the obvious fact that the song was geared towards raising awareness over the shooting of blacks in America by white cops.

That is impact.

Griffon:


That is my point being made. I had to crop Jay Z's line because it appealed to me and for the obvious fact that the song was geared towards raising awareness over the shooting of blacks in America by white cops.

That is impact.

Yeah, I crop a lot of lines too. The poetry in hip hop is too deep. Very appealing to me, it's nice to meet someone who appreciates it too.

Griffon:
Dear Nigerian musicians,

I chose the word “musician” because it explains everything about your profession. I could not convince myself to elevate you to the status of an artiste for that word to me connotes originality, creativity and grace which most of you are deeply bereft of. So, we will manage “musician” until you heed the advice I am about to dish out on a cold, winter plate.

I still remember the first time I heard Yemi Alade’s “Ferrari”. I was on my way to work in Lagos. I felt so sober throughout that day that one would think some personal misfortune had befallen me. It suddenly dawned on me that something had to be said or done or both. I realised this was an anomaly that had slowly but steadily found its way into the minds of Nigerian musicians. A typical case of misplaced priorities.

Dear Nigerian musician, I am tired. Tired of listening to empty lyrics. Tired of dancing to good beats but intellectually unchallenging songs that leave me feeling more empty than the moments before I selectively exposed myself to your shallow, poorly-written, unstimulating songs without the feeling that a lot more could have been embedded in them to do justice to whatever theme you chose to explore. Do you know that a song, just like a good story or movie, must have a central theme and subject matter which it addresses? Do you even know what a “theme” means?
Do you know that there are several issues facing the world as I write this? Cases including but not limited to Racism, Hunger, Pain, Poverty, Political and Economic Incompetence, both natural and human-induced calamities, Diseases, even social vices etc. and music is one of the most effectively aesthetic, creative and artistic ways to not only engender awareness across a larger and most mixed human spectrum of intellectual, ethnic and racial diversification but also arouse positive responses about these problems plaguing humanity?

Do you know that there is more to music than simply shouting, “Masterkraft on the Beat”, or “Its Don Jazzy Again”, or the other annoying one, “We Are Back Again”? Do you know that there is a higher calling to your profession than simply mixing instrumentals (what you loosely call ‘beats’) or the awkward idea of aspiring to become the next GLOBACOM, MTN or GULDER ambassador? Or even the latest limiting ado about signing for ‘foreign’ record labels? Do you even know that you, dear Nigerian musician, can win a Grammy award, but only when you have done just about enough with a timeless music that does not only say, “Chop My Money” or “Baby Shake What Your Momma Gave You”, or “I Don Blow”? You see, music is not meant to be common. It is supposed to be timeless and its influence expected to transcend national or even continental borders.

Ever wondered why "We Are the World" by the United Support of Artists (USA) for Africa, remains the signature track for natural disasters and one of the world’s all time highest grossing songs ever (since its release in 1985, it has raised over $63million for humanitarian causes with about ninety percent of the money being pledged to African relief, both long and short term) or why Bob Marley’s “One Love” continues to be such an emblematic song unifying the world’s divisiveness and diversity to name but a few?
So biko, when next you go to your studio to sing your ‘hit track’, remember it is supposed to touch lives in more ways than just telling that your mysterious ‘bae’ to “wind her waist for you”.

Ndewo!!!

Nicely written bro. You couldn't have said it better!

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mickeyrova:

Nicely written bro. You couldn't have said it better!

Thanks mate.

this is a misplace letter, if you want to talk about Nigeria music talk with facts and mention names...not all our artistes are singing nonsense, of course I would be naive to say some don't but then again the industry is wide you have to find what works for you...Timaya sang Pity us, Joe El sang Hold On, 2Baba sang Hold My Hands....these are few songs that has good lyrics and message.... and let even be realistic the so called good lyrically song who has it EPP...bottom line is every music has a message it just depend on who is listening.....if you want to meaningful artistes listen people like Timi Dakolo, ASA, Johnny Drill, Femi Kuti, Cobham's....as american get good song na so them get useless song...

Griffon:
Dear Nigerian musicians,

I chose the word “musician” because it explains everything about your profession. I could not convince myself to elevate you to the status of an artiste for that word to me connotes originality, creativity and grace which most of you are deeply bereft of. So, we will manage “musician” until you heed the advice I am about to dish out on a cold, winter plate.

I still remember the first time I heard Yemi Alade’s “Ferrari”. I was on my way to work in Lagos. I felt so sober throughout that day that one would think some personal misfortune had befallen me. It suddenly dawned on me that something had to be said or done or both. I realised this was an anomaly that had slowly but steadily found its way into the minds of Nigerian musicians. A typical case of misplaced priorities.

Dear Nigerian musician, I am tired. Tired of listening to empty lyrics. Tired of dancing to good beats but intellectually unchallenging songs that leave me feeling more empty than the moments before I selectively exposed myself to your shallow, poorly-written, unstimulating songs without the feeling that a lot more could have been embedded in them to do justice to whatever theme you chose to explore. Do you know that a song, just like a good story or movie, must have a central theme and subject matter which it addresses? Do you even know what a “theme” means?
Do you know that there are several issues facing the world as I write this? Cases including but not limited to Racism, Hunger, Pain, Poverty, Political and Economic Incompetence, both natural and human-induced calamities, Diseases, even social vices etc. and music is one of the most effectively aesthetic, creative and artistic ways to not only engender awareness across a larger and most mixed human spectrum of intellectual, ethnic and racial diversification but also arouse positive responses about these problems plaguing humanity?

Do you know that there is more to music than simply shouting, “Masterkraft on the Beat”, or “Its Don Jazzy Again”, or the other annoying one, “We Are Back Again”? Do you know that there is a higher calling to your profession than simply mixing instrumentals (what you loosely call ‘beats’) or the awkward idea of aspiring to become the next GLOBACOM, MTN or GULDER ambassador? Or even the latest limiting ado about signing for ‘foreign’ record labels? Do you even know that you, dear Nigerian musician, can win a Grammy award, but only when you have done just about enough with a timeless music that does not only say, “Chop My Money” or “Baby Shake What Your Momma Gave You”, or “I Don Blow”? You see, music is not meant to be common. It is supposed to be timeless and its influence expected to transcend national or even continental borders.

Ever wondered why "We Are the World" by the United Support of Artists (USA) for Africa, remains the signature track for natural disasters and one of the world’s all time highest grossing songs ever (since its release in 1985, it has raised over $63million for humanitarian causes with about ninety percent of the money being pledged to African relief, both long and short term) or why Bob Marley’s “One Love” continues to be such an emblematic song unifying the world’s divisiveness and diversity to name but a few?
So biko, when next you go to your studio to sing your ‘hit track’, remember it is supposed to touch lives in more ways than just telling that your mysterious ‘bae’ to “wind her waist for you”.

Ndewo!!!