CONTENT OR VIBE? The Issue of Longevity In Nigeria Music By Daniel Whyte

First!, is been a long time i wrote reviews for music, artistes and or the industry, Did i hit a writer’s block? Technically No! However, Apologies especially to those who religiously follow me down to my whatsapp status which i have transfigured into a space to project new Artistry in Music, Poetry and Art. Be rest assured that my absenteeism did not deprive me of keeping up with, supporting and as usual having an opinion about good music. Those collated views for the last 3 months is what i will be sharing with You!

What Did Brymo Attempt to achieve with ‘Heya’ Video?

Brymo appreciated nudity in his video titled Heya off his sixth studio album titled OsÓ which means “Wizard” in Yoruba. The video was shot on locations in Lagos, Nigeria with Brymo wearing close to nothing just being clad in his groin area. His Dressing/outfit is what is confusing and got me asking, Why was he naked? did it had to do with wordings or theme of the song?

Half of the benefit to being Brymo is the aura of his mystique. The other half is the benefit of doubt that his mystique provides him. A version of the confusion between both halves played out in this video, many said he was mad. Many others, either because they are Brymo devotees or because they were afraid of being called shallow, said it was an expression of something profound.

He isn’t the first to do it in this fashion, S.A Rapper, Casper Nyovest was the innovator, See Photo Below and compare

‘Heya’ is an inferior Brymo song and a gimmicky video. But it has achieved its main function: it has given Brymo buzz upon the release of his new album Oso. It recalls a line from 50 Cent rap verse about an old De Angelo video: “That nigga went butt-ass for his record to sell.”

As with the title Klitoris before it, Brymo’s butt-nakedness planned to achieve attention!, And for an artist without the machinery and budget for massive publicity. It is clever marketing and not much else.

IYANYA’S BIKO; NOT A GOOD RESURRECTION SONG FOR A FALLING ARTISTE

Biko Is an Ibo Word For Please but the video Projected an EFIK Culture…

Iyanya started off 2018 pretty strong – he showed out on his first single, “Good Vibes“, and delivered on DJ Big N’s “The Trilogy“. Now, he’s kicked off the second quarter with a brand new love song, “Biko” and a super engaging video. Ignore my caption, it is However, arguable.

It may not be a good song but the visuals, shot entirely in Calabar, where Iyanya is originally from is a very colourful and engaging video. In the video, Iyanya tries to win over the affection of a princess. With the traditional dancers and the beautiful aerial shots of the scenery Watch Below

As i observed earlier- Biko is an ibo word for ‘Please’, Why then is it accompanied with a visual that portrays an Efik Culture? .

CONTENT OR VIBE? The Issue of Longevity!

The Nigerian Music Industry is in an era that songs cannot reign for more than three(3) months. Artistes quest to always stay relevant in the Nigerian Music space has resulted to back to back dropping of Singles which are later collated into a project; Album, EP or Mixtape. These singles create a buzz for few months usually a maximum of three(3) and eventually it evaporates and gives way for another.

In 1991, Nigerian reggae singer-songwriter and guitarist, Majek Fashek released “Send Down the Rain“, which won him several awards.

In 2004, Tuface Idibia released African Queen and in 2007, Veteran Highlife singer Sunny Neji released “Oruka” a song which still makes it to the playlist of a typical Nigerian wedding ceremony. The list could be extended…All the above mentioned songs lasted and transcended to different generations. These songs have some features in common, They had a Meaningful Message (Inspiring or well outlined lyrics) /Theme/ and were properly scored…

In 2018, You are faced with the Dilemma of what song should give way for another because your storage device is filled and You feel no remorse in deleting some of the songs. GoFigure.

Like Singer , Patti Labelle put it “There’s not much longevity in music today. It’s so easy to go in, Put some pretentious lyrics on, with people saying the same thing over and over.” and with similar beats or sounds alike, She failed to add.

I understand that the music industry can be so temperamental and Maintaining popularity in the music industry is no easy task, with a song or artist that’s at one moment topping the charts suddenly becoming passé the next day.

The issue is pretty complex, The Questions are;

*Is the Quality of the music we being put out The Problem?

*Is the industry ‘Overcrowded’ with too many people who feel they have talent and so they must ‘blow’?

*Are The Big Spenders taking over Record Labels part of the Problem?

*Is the Problem from the Audience/Listeners/Consumers who are insatiable and easily get bored overtime?

I could go on and on with the questions…But consider this article a premise and a preamble for the next edition. I would love to get your opinion/Thoughts.

WHO SAMPLED WHO/WHAT (The Etymology of a Song)

Did You Know Drake’s ‘Nice For What’ Is a lift from Lauryn’s Hill ‘Ex-Factor’ (1998) and Get Your Roll On by Big Tymers (2000)

Listen and Compare