Entertainment
‘Piracy May Force Indigenous Music To Extinctions’
Some stakeholders in the entertainment industry yesterday advised government to fight piracy for indigenous music to thrive and save them from going to extinction.
They told newsmen in Lagos during the launch of a new album called “ADITU’’ (mystery): a gospel music produced by an up-and-coming artist, Durosinmi Abiodun.
The Managing Director, Evergreen Musical Company, Mrs Bimbo Esho, said that developed countries had been preserving their evergreen indigenous songs in their museums.
According to Esho, many countries have developed their indigenous music to attract foreign tourists and generate revenue to keep their economy growing.
“If you are looking for the complete musical works of legends like Orlando Owoh and others that had died, the labels might have gone into extinction.
“But for Sunny Ade and Ebenezer Obey, you will still find theirs because they are still alive,’’ she said.
Esho said that majority of the copies of such intellectual works of deceased musicians now available would be pirated ones.
They are usually displayed by hawkers along the highways and under the scorching sun that usually affected their qualities and not durable, she said
Esho said that indigenous music composers should create a platform where people from far and near could listen and enjoy them.
She also advised stakeholders to collaborate with the government to eradicate piracy of intellectual works.
She described it as a menace affecting the growth of the sector.
“The online piracy has even made it worse because the culprit cannot be traced.’’
Also, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Quintessence Gallery Nig. Ltd., Mrs Aino Oniokpaku, said that it was imperative to preserve the history and culture of the country for future generations to learn from.
According to the report, Oniokpaku is a Swedish entrepreneur that has been promoting Nigerian arts and craft for more than 42 years.
She said persistent piracy of intellectual property would discourage budding artists from venturing into music production.
“Nigeria is blessed with fantastic talents, and we should preserve our history, otherwise we will lose our culture.
“Discarding our history will amount to us forgetting everything that is good for the country,’’ Oniokpaku said.
A film producer and a musician, Yinka Akanbi, said that the entertainment industry was capable of generating more than 15 per cent of government’s expected IGR.
Akanbi said that this would be possible if the government could concentrate and invest more in the sector.
“If we have government’s commitment, the entertainment industry will go far, the sky will be the limit,’’ he said.
He advised up-and-coming artists to be original and produce meaningful songs that would promote the good image of the country.
Popular businessman and socialite, Pascal Okechukwu, aka Cubana Chief Priest, has said that his relationship with singer Davido is beyond money and gossip.
He stated this in a recent interview with BBC Igbo.
“Davido is my friend. He is my in-law; he married Chioma who is from Imo State where I hail from.
“So the relationship I have with Davido is beyond money and gossip,” he said.
DAILY POST reports that Chief Priest disclosed via his Instagram page that his outfit for the wedding of the singer, Davido and his wife, Chioma, in Lagos on Tuesday cost seven million Naira.
The socialite recently appreciated Davido for not “discarding” Chioma.
He stated that the DMW boss has made Imo State proud by choosing to marry from the state.
Nigerian singer Simisola Kosoko, popularly known as Simi, has lent her voice to the ongoing anti-tax hike protests in Kenya.
The Tide’s source reports that Kenyan youths are marching against tax hike in widespread demonstrations tagged ‘RejectFinanceBill2024.’
Five people were shot dead and dozens wounded after police clashed with protesters who stormed the parliament building in Nairobi on Tuesday, according to Amnesty Kenya.
Reacting via her X handle on Tuesday night, Simi declared her support for the demonstrators.
She stated that “it is both powerful and heartbreaking for a people to have to fight and die for freedoms and rights.”
The singer wrote, “I stand with the people of Kenya. It is both powerful and heartbreaking for a people to have to fight and die for freedoms and rights. Godspeed and Strength. [Hash tag] RejectFinanceBill2024.”
In a series of other posts, she wrote: “Wow. When you’ve had enough, the fight is almost inevitable.
“African leaders- have not you done enough?
“I can’t wait for the day Africa is not a weapon fashioned against Africans. All of this amazing Black power and human resource, but the majority are not likely to thrive unless they run.”
Famous Nigerian Afrobeat singer, Davido was spotted among other top artistes at Asake’s ‘Lungu Boy’ tour concert in Atlanta, Georgia.
Asake’s performance at his sold-out show at the 17,000-capacity State Farm Arena in Atlanta began on August 16, 2024, and is set to run for 10 days.
In a trending video on social media, Davido appeared backstage with American rapper Quavo to support Asake during the live performance.
Other musicians in attendance included Nigerian hitmaker Zlatan and American rapper Russ Millions.
The Tide’s source reports that Asake’s ‘Lungu Boy’ tour is set to cover six U.S. cities, where he will headline notable venues including Madison Square Garden in New York, the Toyota Center in Houston, and the State Farm Arena in Atlanta.
Asake’s tour comes just days after the release of his latest hit, ‘Lungu Boy,’ which features several superstars, including Wizkid, British rappers Central Cee and Stormzy, Travis Scott and Brazilian singer Ludmilla.
‘Lungu Boy’ set a new record for the biggest opening week on Spotify Nigeria, garnering 18.9 million streams in its opening week and breaking the previous record of 14.4 million streams held by Davido’s ‘Timeless.’