— Aragbaye
I see gospel music taking giant strides in 2023 by God’s grace. I believe that music is one of the most important forms of communicating with people, drawing people to church and praising God. I see God raising more serious-minded musicians.
We plan to hold another election in GOMAN, and elect another president for the association, because I have served two terms in office. I will also continue to support the association in whatever way I can.
I advise them not to allow themselves to be used as thugs by politicians to disrupt the election. These people (politicians) have their children abroad, but they use children of other people to carry out their nefarious acts. I also urge everyone to vote the candidates they feel will impact their lives positively. They should vote for people who can deliver, and not be sentimental. If we don’t get it right, it won’t favour anyone. Everyone is affected by the (poor state of the) economy. Even the rich are crying; talk more of those who cannot afford three-square meals. My prayer for everyone is that our blood will not be shed for the liberation of Nigeria.
My New Year resolution is to face my music squarely, more than ever before.
I have also resolved not to procrastinate; unless it is inevitable. I need to plan my music career properly, by having more compositions and talking about happenings in the world and in Nigeria. God has been helping me with my voice. Instead of having a depreciating or dimming voice as I age, mine is getter better; according to what people tell me.
There are various way of doing this. The government should come to the aid of gospel musicians by creating enabling an environment for us. Whenever we do programmes for them (government), they should remunerate our people well. As the president of GOMAN, I have applied to some states (governments) to give us land, so that we can build more music schools.
I urge the government to listen to us more than before, and during festive periods such as Easter or Christmas, they should give more gospel musicians the chance to perform at such events, instead of adding them to secular musicians.
I will release more albums and continue to be active. Some people believe that when one does not advertise oneself online, one is not performing. However, I have been performing every day for the past two weeks across states in the south-western part of the country.
— Segun Adefila
For the creative sector, it has been an eventful one. Personally, me (and my team) did not stop creating works. When one looks at the challenges in the country, the first thing that will cross one’s mind is to ‘japa’ (immigrate to another country).
However, if one takes a look back, one will realise that things have not really changed. In the 90s, there wasn’t constant electricity supply; and that is still the case. The roads are still the way they are. Companies are even closing up. But, in the midst of all that, there is so much resilience, determination and positivity (on the part of Nigerians). Regardless of all we are going through, some people are still hopeful. 2022 was a mixed bag of ups and downs.
I feel that 80 per cent of the people left here in Nigeria are trapped. As far as I’m concerned, it is only the remaining 20 per cent that are here by choice.
This is an election year when people get to choose the types of leaders they want. I am hoping that in 2023, we will have clear heads, and not be driven by unnecessary emotions, tribalism and such things. We ought to think more about the future.
I have been staying on course and practising my craft. However, there are people who come into the industry to change the game and raise the bar. To such people, we must be eternally grateful. We (current crop of entertainers) would not be here if there were no prospects.
I don’t agree. There was an art event held last week, and the turnout was massive. It was practically like a political rally. There have also been other art events that had huge turnouts. All that people really need is a conducive environment. Despite all the challenges we face, including insecurity and economic hardship, people still make out time to attend art events. It is left for a discerning leadership (government) to take over this country and invest in where the real value is.
?
Every time we lend our voices, we are influencing people with the kind of works we put out there. If one is an artiste and one is not interested in politics; I think one is being hypocritical. Everyone has to be involved.
Before us, there was life, and after us, there will still be life. However, we are doing our bit in our different ways.
The most important one is resilience. Also, I have learnt to be more decisive when taking actions, and also think about the consequences of such actions before taking them.
Everything and nothing, because I am happy with where I am, and I am doing what God has sent me to do.
— Ruggedman
It is not as a result of personal experiences. I have never had such experience and I thank God for that because, I don’t even know how I would react if I find myself in such situation.
I need to let people know that they should have hope. There was a lady who waited for me for nine hours while I was hosting my radio show. I asked her why she did not leave to come another day, and she said it was because she heard that I help people. It is such words that encourage me to keep doing what I do. The reason many things are wrong with the country is because the wrong people hold important offices in the country. The solution is for Nigerians to vote for people who are qualified. The voting criteria should not be about tribe, religion or political party; it should be about credibility.
Yes, we can see it (changes in) a few of them. I have said that won’t force them to do anything. However, they should know that the victims of injustice are their fans. And, without their fans, who are they? Whether some of these celebs come out or not, it will not stop what I am doing.
In December 2022, I was instrumental in getting the police to release 35 people in Oyo State. I will continue to do good.
Despite all the craziness, it was very good and productive; not necessarily music wise, but as regard other things I am involved in, including my skits, humanitarian works, and radio show. Finally, I have a sponsor for the show, and I am also preparing new materials that I will start releasing soon. I am one of the executives for the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria. The association recently bought a property for PMAN in the choice area of Lekki, Lagos; and I am happy about that.
Aside from being a better human being, I plan to continue helping humanity in every way that I can. I also want to do more in the area of music. I plan to release a lot of materials this year.
I cannot pick one because different things happened in different years. Every year that God gives to me is memorable.
Of course, I will, if they come. I star in Jim Iyke’s new movie, but it has not been released yet. With the skits I upload on my YouTube channel, I am letting filmmakers know that I can act well. I am ready for them in Nollywood (laughs).
I will try to reduce my sweet tooth. I like sweet things too much.
— Zaaki Azzay
The artiste who surprised me the most was Asake. In all my years in the industry, I had not seen (any artiste rise with) that kind of speed. The rate at which he rose in 2022 was fast, and he is still going; releasing hit songs consecutively.
That ‘northern thing’ has always been a problem for me, because I am one of the biggest artistes from that part of the country. I have advised (northern musicians), but they tilt towards Indian music style. They tune their voices too much, making it to sound fake. With that kind of presentation, they cannot compete with the world. I have tried to make them see why we need to align with what is currently going on in the industry. I don’t know if it is because of culture or tradition, but I believe we will get there, because I am working on something.
I have a lot of plans, but I don’t like announcing them. I am currently working with some guys in the north. They have great talents; they just need guidance and sponsorship, and I intend to help them in that regard.
By all means, they should get a good management team. Music is a very capital intensive business. They should not be in a hurry to leave a recording label, because they feel they are becoming popular.
There has been pressure on me to do a remix of my popular song, Mata. I have finished my part, but I am waiting for Dija (who I’m featuring) to do her part. That will the first song I will release this year, though I will put out two more songs before the end of the year.
– Yinka Davies
They include becoming a businesswoman and going to school. Business is something I had never done. Getting involved in an educational programme, and learning about entrepreneurship, business and showbiz was amazing. It was so vast.
I learnt that I should not hesitate or procrastinate. I learnt that when I get a job, I should do it well beyond your expectations, so that when the client sees the work, they will be amazed. That is what I will like to be known for, and that is what I want to take into 2023.
I have already started (exploring other genres of music). I am just waiting to see how far I can go. I am working on it.
I will like to improve on quality control. Also, I want the consciousness of people to be awakened and heightened, because we are set in our ways and have forgotten who we are as a people. We should take care of our environment. When one lives for oneself alone; it can be dangerous. One should consider one’s neighbours.
They should stop competing with one another. It does not amount to any good thing. They should be content with what they have. It is not the other person’s business what one person has.
Well, it will eventually come (laughs).
– I Go Dye
Every day is unique with achievements, even if it is not noticeable to people. I have adopted the mantra of living one day at a time. As much I have set goals, the fact still remains that today was a manifestation of yesterday, just the way tomorrow will be a manifestation of today. But, in all things, I give all glory to God.
It was a year of uncertainty, upsurge in violence and economic recession for many nations. The cost of living has increased, and that has affected how much people pay for entertainment. This is in addition to the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic.
God ultimately defines what will be, but I hope to explore new frontiers, and offer more social support for humanity. I want to make the world a better place than I met it.
Like it is often said; a leopard never changes its spot. As much as I am shy, it (dark glasses) has become a part of my brand identity. When I am ready, I will build another version of myself that may be altered. But for now, I am still that cool guy.
There was a participatory interest that gave us the hope that the youths were ready for a new political direction, but an assessment of the permanent voters card registration exercise, showed otherwise.
What I feel will help this nation to grow having is a level of patriotism, which is missing in us, as citizens. We must show and inspire the youth to take civil responsiveness as a task, which is the only medium to get it right and redirect our political and social progress as a nation.
Man is a political animal. However, time will reveal (if I will be involved in politics or not). If there is a good reason for it (joining politics) and we have built an equitable democratic system that is devoid of so much irregularities, (I will get involved).
2022 taught me that money in the bank can easily lose value, so it is better to have investments, rather than saving money. I really sympathise with Nigerians on how the naira has lost so much value against other currencies. I pray that governors will implement sound agricultural, because food and feeding is a major problem in the country today.
