The Rise Of Empty Songs

You readily tap your feet to Davido’s “Skelewu”. Then depending on your convenience, you may as well nod your head along. Don’t try to grasp the lyrics. No. That maybe suicidal. Just know when it gets to the chorus, and then…skelewu!

No thanks to western hip-hop influence, contemporary Nigerian music has come to be defined by their “beats”. Nowadays, all it takes to do music is a couple of rhythmic nothings; accompanied by perspiration hip swinging sound, then hippie…it’s a hit! The “good old days” might as well been thrown into the abyss of history. Unconsciously, it may also have heralded the reign of “beats".

Around the country, from buzzing speakers, today’s Nigerian music is replete with just anything but content. From Terry G’s Free Madness, Flavour’s Shake, Iyanya’s Your Waist, W4’s Control, D' Prince’s Chop Banana to Dammy Krane’s Kunle, Wizkid’s Caro, Olamide’s Turn Up, Wande Coal’s Rotate, Kcee’s Pullover, D’banj’s Don’t Tell Me Nonsense… the list is endless.

On the streets of Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja, every Nigerian youth wants to be a musician. He tells you about his “talent”. And when he senses an iota of doubt, he’s swift to remind you about the age of Davido and Wizkid. He’s even quick to throw his demo in your face. When you eventually succumb, you can’t but wonder about his brazen use of unending Onomatopoeia and Timaya’s legendary use of “O” in literary all his Songs.

In sharp contrast, artistes with content seldom headline the big shows. Who for instance knows the whereabouts of Asa? When was Time Dakolo’s last time out with Star Trek? Or even Cobhams Asuquo headlining say…wait for it …Kennis music fiesta!