Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Pop Culture: Trends In Nigerian Music

This is an article from Joey Akan @ Pulse Nigeria.... lets know what you think?
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Still on the matter! Today we talk about Nigerian music, and it’s pretty interesting, seeing that we Nigerians live to ‘gbedu’, and sleep to the sound of Timaya’s hoarse voice, while dreaming of eloping with Tiwa Savage.
Last week I rambled on the current trends in Nigerian music, and now here’s the sequel to that article; Pulse.ng, brings you the current trends in Nigerian music…the concluding part.
“Razz” Is The New Cool


Recently Olamide stunned us all when he dropped a luxury photo on Instagram and revealed that he’s suffering from being too successful. Poor young Olamide. He’s successful, and we know the reason; Razz is the new cool.
After the decline of Ajegunle music, due to its inability to move in line with the dynamics of Nigerian pop culture, a gaping hole was left in the music industry. Street music, needed a new life, and a new face, which was nonexistent. But then came the late Dagrin, who fed off the need for a novel ‘street’, made songs to fit popular needs, and quickly topped the charts nationwide. But with his sad demise in April 2010, the gap reappeared again. Many singers quickly made the rush to street music, hungry for the throne, but they all failed in their push to fill the boots. Olamide did just that, and his style which keeps improving, has redefined the concept of street music. Street music is no longer seen as music for the streets. It’s now a staple, even for the tush kids, the cool kids, and the elite.
See more analysis / photos after the cut
We all love razz music, as evidenced by the success of “Stupid Love” and “Durosoke”. It’s here to stay, and Olamide’s successful suffering would last a long time.
Classy Music Is On The Decline

When was last the last time a major concert was headlined with acts such as PraizBez Idakula,Darey Art AladeTimi Dakolo? Before the Nigerian civil war?
Just kidding, but for all the positive benefits and improved party habits that razz music brings to the plate, there are negatives too. The most glaring is the decline of classy music. And I use the term ‘classy’ loosely. That’s how bad it is.
The classy artistes; those musicians who’ve stuck to music in its pure form, not wanting to go with the commercial flow and adulterate their art (like Iyanya did). They don’t have the popular vote of genius, and their songs, beautiful in isolation, lack the strength to make a statement in the industry. Only Darey has tasted the magic pot of gold, and he dabbled with commercialism. The others have their crowd, and the unwavering hope they’ll become the next Asa, influence great change in public desires, and lead the rush to the bank.
Sadly that hope remains what it is. Pure hope, no money.
Hip Hop Lives On…But Commercially
Ice Prince went commercial, leading the change in Hip hop culture
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Somewhere right now, Mode 9 is bellicose, looking down on Nigerian rappers, shaking his fist in hurt and anger, screaming; “Infidels, you guys have no heart. You’ve got no love for the game cos niggers betrayed her for the money.” And he’s right.
Nigerian Hip hop culture took a huge hit, and became commercial. Gone were the days when rappers ‘spit ish and shoot rhymes like artillery’ because they’ve got so much love ‘for the game’. These days the love has grown cold. Money is the new chick, and she’s getting all the ‘luv in the house’, the rhyme artillery, and the flows.
Yo hommie, Money is the new game.
With the shift in Nigerian  focus from vocal quality to party quality, the face of Hip hop always was bound to change. M.I changed focus from poetry to monetary, Ice Prince has his talent honed to perfection, and the others, Phyno, Vector, Yung6ix et al, quickly have this as their focus.
These rappers love the game. But the game is Money.

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