Nigerian Parents could literally pray for you even with the laying of hands if you dare announced your intention to pursue music professionally. Things are a little different today, you know right? A little analysis by CNN Marketplace Africa as shown with statistics how auspicious and profitable the Nigerian entertainment and music sector is.
“According to Bloomberg, mobile music sales generate $150 million annually for Nigerian artists, as well as offering the largest distribution platform for digital music and world music.” Also “By 2019, Pricewaterhouse Coopers predicts that Nigeria’s entertainment and music industry is predicted to surpass $8 billion.”
If you are thinking what am thinking, you can see with me that projection is very enticing. You may even be tempted to seek a music career, must definitely you want to get your own share of the delicious pie. But that pie is only devoured by artistes who in the Nigerian lingo we considered to have “blown”, i.e., artistes that have gotten nationwide/cross border recognition and acceptance. So that elicits the question how can I “blow” or what should I do to “blow”.
Let us establish a common ground here you first of all must be good enough for a record label to sign you on as an artiste on their roster. But that is not a guarantee you will blow sha.
Step 1: Seek A Collabo With An Established Music Act
Ekene Ijemba who is better known by stage name Humblesmith has been around for a while now. Back in 2014 the singer released afro-pop tunes like “Chairmo” and “Na you” under his label DG Records and Nytze Entertainment. I can guess you might never have heard of this songs before being mentioned here. Another step was taken, he sought a collabo with an established music act.
In 2015 Humblesmith released “Osinachi” with indigenous rapper Phyno. Featuring Phyno on that track was enough to make waves, yes the song actually gained enough buzz. God bless whoever suggested he did a remix of his “Osinachi” song with Davido. Osinachi became even bigger as pop star Davido decided to use the song as a diss track for media mogul Dele Momodu, his baby mama Sophie,s uncle.
Still using his winning formula, Humblesmith went in on a new highlife track “Jukwese” with king of contemporary highlife flavour. I don’t need to say, the song it another hit accorded to Humblesmith.
Step 2: Run A Dance Contest To Promo Your Song With Financial Rewards For Winners
This strategy has worked for so many artistes, notable mention here is Davido, and can you remember his famous $3000 “Skelewu” dance competition in 2013? Humblesmith has employed same strategy to ensure increased download and play of his song Jukwese. Heavy download, increased song use and good airplay, that’s what it takes to make a hit. He is subtly inducing a high demand for his song by participating fans. The side effect is that you reluctantly get familiar with his song and it grows on you over time. There are several dance videos out there that has made his latest song “Jukwese” a hit.
Step 3: Jump On The Hype; Do Your Cover Version of A Mainstream Hit
It may not sound as a sure proof strategy but hey it sure works like magic. Take a closer look here, Adekunle Gold caught the attention of Nigerians especially YBNL leader Olamide when he did his cover of now redundant British-Irish boy band One Direction’s hit song “Story of My Life”. He called his cover version “Sade”. “Story of My Life” is a mid-tempo, guitar-driven folk-pop song with influences of arena rock, alternative rock and neo folk, Mr Adekunle made an afro-fusion of that song. Why this worked so well is that “Story of My Life” was a mainstream hit even here in Nigeria, with massive acceptance from music lovers. Creating your cover version of a mainstream hit means you will be riding on the success of the original song. I will tag DMW rap artiste Dremo here, Dremo has an impressive cover of Desiigner’s hit song Panda which he dubbed Fela. The little rule here is that your lyrics should be tailored to fit the Nigerian audience. You don’t just sing that “hit” song back to us in your own voice even if you’re vocal prowess is flawless. Garnish your cover with something we Nigerians can relate to and talk about.
Step 4: Tell Us Stories In Ways We Have Never Heard Before
If you have been following Adekunle Gold’s music so far you will easily decipher his amazing way of telling stories with his lyrics. This singular skill or perhaps gift has made Mr Adekunle’s lyrics stick. In “Sade” a love song, he narrates a bitter experience in his attempt to woo the girl of his dreams in a very unique and relatable manner; Something Nigerians especially guys are familiar with. “…I don go wedding taya/Many Saturdays e don pass… and I never marry Oluwa provide a boo oh…” at least Banky W as well as other eligible bachelors and bachelorettes can deep down connect with that lyrics extract from Adekunle Gold’s “Pick Up”. When you fill out stories in a very catchy and out of the box style boom! your lyrics stick. It gives listeners that feel of taking in fresh air. You instantly get a nod of approval from any listener. Possibly your lyrics becomes the new addition to the street vocabulary. By all means be original in your lyrical expression resist the temptation to churn out cheap lyrics.
(Credit:Jaguda)
No comments:
Post a Comment