While I grew up with Fela’s music, I noted one fact about him. He once said he did not sing love songs. Neither did he sing the praises of anyone.
At least, I cannot remember if he did!
But check out his repertoire, it’s filled with bumper sales. He was an artiste who stood for something, emancipation of the people.
Even at times of tribulation, he still rose to the chagrin of his oppressors. Check out when his house was burnt and his properties seized by the government. What about when his mother died? The pabambari was when he got jailed by the Buhari government for allegedly exporting currency.
After all these, the man still came out to stupefy the rulers with bumper albums that really made good sales.
Let’s even discuss other artists. Orlando Owoh, I.K. Dairo, Ayinla Omowura, Yusuf Olatunji, Ebenezer Obey, Sunny Ade, Bongos Ikwue, Oriental Brothers, Dan Maraya Jos and others. They succeeded in making sensible music.
What do we have today?
I wouldn’t glorify some artistes by mentioning their names. But I just wanted to ask what benefit is music if it fails to advance our culture and doesn’t identify with our struggles and yearnings.
Meanwhile, that’s the music our children listen to. The so-called musicians are smiling to the banks while their patrons go on wallowing in poverty.
A to wa ti!
Ipako edolo!!
Iish!!!
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