Wizkid adds salt to the old wounds of Nigerian rappers and almost every rapper within the soundscape is in affliction. It is like this hot and pepperish agonizing pain, which the majority of them (rappers) are currently drowning in. Perhaps because it is slightly the truth Wizkid had spilled during his UK interview after his London set; photoshoots and other interviews and show performances.
This famed Nigerian pop culture conversation is often about deciding the state of rap/hip-hop, whether dead or alive. I thought the book had been closed already. However, since the book had not closed. Perhaps, after this very moment, I wish that you all try and look away from this often heated conversation. First off, who is your Daddy? One who has firm authority and reigns supreme in the family. Right?
With the great believe that we are on the same page. Pop music is a superior genre within the global soundscape. Once upon a time in Nigeria, y2k, Hip-hop was the face of Nigerian music ranging from how the songs of American hip-hop top players like Lil Wayne, Drake, Birdman, Jay Z and more acquired huge numbers from the Nigerian music market. Matter of fact, the Hip-hop force was dominant until Afro-pop, R&B and Afrobeat (s) and altè has now become everyone’s fresh call.
That call begat several creators who invested so much to see the success of the genre. Currently, the same sound keeps multiplying in numbers from various stereo within local and the international music stratosphere. Making the long story short from the days of the now defunct Mo’Hits, Kennis Music, Empire Mates down to when Afrobeats anointed son Wizkid was conceived within 2010. From this moment at the time drawing from the unrevokable impact of stars like M.I Abaga, 2face, DBanj, Dr. Sid, D’Prince, PSquare and more. The game transitioned.
The rise of stars like Olamide, Falz, Zlatan Ibile, Phyno, Reminisce, amongst other notable rappers who redefined hip-hop spoke volume within the music landscape. After the days of “Local Rappers” by Reminisce. The frequent Olamide & Phyno collaboration at the time. The game went through a shift which various set of core Nigerian rappers like Vector, Ycee, AQ, Blaqbonez, Iceprince, including M.I currently suffer now. Although, they are currently innovative. Walking other sonic waters by blending rap, pop and other sound influences.
Rap is not dead yet. It only motioned through an evolution stage which the culture expects that hard core rappers should re-innovate the conventional style of hip-hop if they wish to appeal a larger audience.
According to Joey Akan, a popular Nigerian Award winning music journalist. “Nigerian rap is not dead we are only blind.” That is what it is because in recent times, the genre went through a state of transition by which it marries the superior family. Merging “pop” influences to make somethig of fluid which has plenty of potential to penetrate into the larger music market.
The truth is that several Nigerian rappers are already tapping into this light to create unconventional track records. Before we come to that. Remember when Ice Prince dominated the music landscape with the infectious hook and chorus Brymo assisted him with on a popular track tagged “Oleku?” If you vividly reminisce about those cherished moments. You would appreciate rap and also applaud the saccharine beauty pop renders to it. Apparently, pop makes rap beauty evident and becomes brilliant. With the direct influence of pop on rap, the genre gains a more powerful shape and appeal possible enough to allure larger listeners. Also, current tracks like M.I’s “Oil” assisted by Bnxn speak volumes of this same evident beauty in rap infused pop. There are several other singles. Ice Prince dished a mellow effort with Oxlade titled “Kolo” and it should be illustrative as well to carry your thoughts through.
As for Big Wiz, the one who proclaims the near death of the famous Nigerian rap genre during a recent interview. He sits the flames lit, the rap scene in array like a sheep without shepard. The truth is rap isn’t dead and the majority of your Hip-hop idols understand how all this works. Be rest assured that next tommorow or soonest, one of those your favourite rhymes and poetic masters would form alliances with your one of most beloved pop star to make songs. Majority of your idols, they understand how this trick works and of course that does not deter the existence of rap within Nigerian music industry. This conversation about the fading away or complete death of rap would become irrelevant after now because the Nigerian rap communities are getting to understand that to secure a larger consensus, it is needful to have a pop star grace the rap song by lashing out both the sweetness of his vocal on the hook and chorus while the rapper bears the verses with his/her bars ones at a time.
It is good you also understand this trick. Now back to the matter — Open and close. Wizkid should understand that rap is not dead yet. Because the current wave is pop or Afrobeat (s) gradually taking the front row of music conversations doesn’t deter rap.
Wizkid should not take his global success as a free ticket to proclaim the death of rap.
WRITER: AGWUMA KINGSLEY
