Global Dominance of Nigerian Music
As an older young guy (or younger old guy), I’ve been fortunate to witness some moments that made one feel proud to be Nigerian. One of them was the return to democratic governance in 1999, having been born under military dictatorship in the mid-80s. Another example was Nigeria winning Atlanta’s 1996 Olympic gold medal in football. It was a momentous occasion and as if on cue, the entire country broke into jubilation, dancing on the streets through the night. It didn’t matter what the situation was, (and with the Abacha government clamping down on everything, the situation was terrible), Nigerians were united in their joy that something great had happened for their nation and everyone had that shared sense of accomplishment.
A similar thing happened this past weekend. No, scratch that; a series of things happened this past weekend that brought about that feeling of pride again. Once more, music which has been the rallying point for most Nigerians in the last two decades rose again to the occasion and created a moment of global achievement for Nigerians to rejoice in. First, it was the BET Awards and all of its elements. The annual celebration of black music excellence took place at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles and even though it was built up to be an ultimate celebration of American artists, it was Nigerians that took over the weekend.
The singer Pheelz who made his mark as a talented producer before releasing the single Finesse earlier this year opened the weekend by becoming the first international act to perform at the BET pre-show. Prior to now, it could have been a token to have placed a Nigerian on that stage and might possibly have performed to an unresponsive audience. However, Finesse had become a global hit via Tik Tok before the global audience met the singer himself and performing on that stage underscored the massiveness of the song.
Fireboy got his own moment at the main event, performing his smash hit Peru. It was Fireboy’s first time performing at the BET Awards as well but one couldn’t tell. As soon as “Omoge no be so” came on, the crowd jumped to their feet and sang every note. It didn’t even matter that Ed Sheeran who he featured on the remix wasn’t in attendance, Fireboy didn’t need an assist: the moment was his and his alone.
But the biggest star on that night was Tems. The weekend was truly hers as she won two awards that night: one for her huge collaboration with Wizkid, Essence. It wasn’t an exaggeration to say that song is easily the biggest single ambassador for Nigerian music right now – along, perhaps with Ckay’s Love Wan Tin Tin. Her second award was the Best International Act – the first Nigerian who would win in that category, beating out UK acts Dave and Lil Simz. The significance of that win is evident in Tems’ own speech where she spoke about she being proof that dreams come true and for Nigerian young girls to use her as a sign that actualizing their ambitions is not impossible. Like the slang in Nigeria goes, problem for who no like Tems o! She had a cute moment where it seemed she had a rush of coyness that made her want to hide when her name was called. Awwwww.
Tems’ career has been nothing short of a dream. Since she came out with her debut Mr Rebel in the middle of that year, her sultry voice has been heard all over the world on songs like her follow-up Try Me, Damages from her EP For Broken Ears before breaking records with Wizkid on Essence. It’s incredible! She’s gone on to earn Soul Train Music Award, two NAACP Image Awards and two Grammy nominations. She truly is the stuff of dreams.
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Meanwhile, in that same Los Angeles, just thirteen short kilometres north, Afrobeat legend Femi Kuti was performing at the Hollywood Bowl for the ninth time, but this time shoulder to shoulder with his son Made who was there for the first time. It’s been said that the musicianship of Made himself is bound to continue the one-hundred-year-old Kuti legacy for a generation more, something that started with JJ Ransome Kuti releasing his first record in 1925. Also in Hollywood Hills, Nigerian media mogul Ayo Animashaun hosted a brunch to herald the birth of the Headies in the United States as “the global awards for Afrobeats music.” All of these things are happening at the same time and elevating the Nigerian music culture. No government can do what the music is doing for the country at the highest levels, globally.
And we’ve not even touched on Burna Boy’s Glastonbury performance! Wow.
The Jide Taiwo is a writer and media executive. He writes from Lagos, Nigeria and tweets via @thejidetaiwo.
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