[#ACE_ Articles] REASONS WHY SOME GIANTS ARE SEEN AS DWARFS IN THE NIGERIAN MUSIC FACTORY …by Wale Applause

What you are reading or about to read is the result of a 2 year research done about the Nigerian music factory in order to detect and diagnose reasons why some acts who should be giants in the factory are still regarded as dwarfs and rather than being called men, they are treated as “boys”. This research took this length of time just to check on the trend of things and supervise if they were going to change.

For a while now, several acts have been doing real good music with the right producers, collaborations and videos, but they haven’t gotten half way the ladder up. These acts have got the right combination of voice, appearance, delivery on beat, lyrics, excellent producers, association within the music factory, record deals and management, but they each lack one spice which should make the soup delicious.

This epistle will be taking a critical look and diagnosis of these ‘supposed giants’.

The acts to be covered by this epistle include SOLID STAR, SKALES, GODWIN, OREZI, REMINISCE, JAHBLESS, and HAKYMTHEDREAM.   

These dudes have all got what it takes to have been crowned kings in the music kingdom, but at least one or more ingredient is missing, which in my opinion if added will further boost their careers, and move them offshore.

Of the lot, only “Skales” haven’t obviously been in the factory prior to the beginning of this research, but it feels like the boy’s been here that long anyways.

These acts will also be rated using the following criteria all over 10.

• Lyrics and Lyrics Delivery
• Music Production
• Collaborations
• Looks and Physical appearance
• Fans Relation
• Artiste Management
• Record Deal
• Publicity and Strategy
• Video Quality
• General Rating

As an umpire, I will be very objective in my diagnosis and rating. Kept you waiting enough, peeps let’s do this:

SOLID STAR

Solid star came into limelight with his hit banger “One in a Million” featuring the maestro “2face Idibia” which soon went into past glory. Ever since then, he hasn’t stopped what he knows how to do best, dropping other singles such as “Confused” and “Omotena” with good quality corresponding videos.

His videos to all 3 singles have been well above average and one sits to think about what the problem is. Why on earth will anyone feature “2baba” and not make a spectacular hit of the song?

Solid star has got a bad habit of the repetition of hit beats and lyrics. This kinda works for a couple other artistes [Wizkid shows us the way], but this obviously isn’t working for him.

This dude has obviously got talents, a couple lyrics, although not in the realms of “2baba” in terms of looks, good delivery on beat, but genuinely he lacks the proper management and publicity touch.

Proper management and publicity are two different things. A good management goes beyond recording good music and shooting good videos, it encompasses a whole lot [wanna know more, seek consultancy]. Publicity on the other hand is serious business and differs from artiste management. This goes beyond Radio and TV promotions. Dude, wake up the world has moved on.

Brother, you got a good name, the ball now drops in your court to make your solid star a SUPER SOLID STAR.

  RATINGS

• Lyrics and Lyrics Delivery – 6
• Music Production – 6
• Collaborations – 7
• Looks and Physical appearance – 4
• Fans Relation – 3
• Artiste Management – 5
• Record Deal – 5
• Publicity and Strategy – 3
• Video Quality – 7
• General Rating – 5.1 AVERAGE

SKALES

Although kinda new in this game at least considering the length of this research, this E.M.E soldier has got what it takes to be a crowned king.

He’s jointly signed on E.M.E Records with the super star “Wizkid” and “Banky W”, one wonders why he isn’t doing commercially just as well.

This “MUKULU” crooner who has also featured on several tracks by other artistes was at first taken hand in hand with this label mate “Wizkid”, but i guess was dropped for obvious commercial reasons. “Skales” is the kinda artiste that fluctuates with his lyrics, his best being his feature on Wizkid’s “Baddest Boy” track.

His “Mukulu” video wasn’t bad though for an introduction and sincerely, “Skales” doesn’t really have that look thingy going for him, at least in comparison to Wizzy [Some say he looks razz]. This dude has also got the right combination of talent, lyrics, production and a further added advantage of a reputable record label and record deal, but genuinely bro, you really don’t have to be featured on just any song. I saw you in a video sometimes and I was like WHAT THE F*CK!!! Some collabos just ain’t right for you.

Please also endeavor to push your singles real hard, E.M.E won’t sell you, you gotta sell E.M.E, and in doing this, use the right strategy. Skaleyo, wanna know more, there’s a word called consultion.

RATINGS

• Lyrics and Lyrics Delivery – 5             
• Music Production – 6
• Collaborations – 6
• Looks and Physical appearance – 5
• Fans Relation – 3
• Artiste Management – 6
• Record Deal – 6
• Publicity and Strategy – 3
• Video Quality – 6
• General Rating – 5.1 AVERAGE
  

GODWON

Sincerely, this hard core rapper is off the hook. Signed on to “Serengeti Music”, “Godwon” came into limelight and I personally welcomed him. Although it must be said that M.I’s competition has left the best of him but on a second thought, he could carve out a niche for himself.

Truth be said, “Godwon” is dope, got beautiful masculine physique [no homo], interesting collaborations with the likes of “Banky W”, “Iceberg Slim” and “Rico White”, so what the heck is the problem?

His “Omo Ele” and “What You Talking About” tracks were on replay on my music gadgets for a long time and I often times wonder why DJ’s felt otherwise about this songs. His videos haven’t been bad either, but still got room for improvement. His major hiccup has been publicity and the right strategy to go about it. He also needs to improve with his videos, you are a rapper for heaven’s sake, be hard core! Lastly, your songs ain’t aired at the right places. You got a good record label; you can only get better on your publicity bro.

RATINGS

• Lyrics and Lyrics Delivery – 6              
• Music Production – 6
• Collaborations – 7
• Looks and Physical appearance – 6
• Fans Relation – 3
• Artiste Management – 6
• Record Deal – 6
• Publicity and Strategy – 3
• Video Quality – 4
• General Rating – 5.2 AVERAGE

OREZI

They call him “Orezi”, “fine boy Orezi”. This brother is a talent. Got the voice to be compared with “Wande Coal” and “Chuddy K” < wonder why his commercial achievement can’t achieve this feat. “I No Fit Lie” was Orezi’s first song that I ever listened to and to me that wasn’t bad for an introduction, and ever since he can only get better with tracks like “High BP”, “Booty Bounce” and his recent feature with other artistes on DJ Jimmy Jatt’s “Komije”.

“Orezi” is handsome no lies, got talents, vocals, lyrics and use of words, adequate management at least but just like everyone else, he got a few potholes to fill.

Personally, I think cos he knows he’s got talent and style and a couple association with people that matter in the music factory, he thinks he has arrived. Wake up bro, even paupers know “Bill Gates”. The competition only gets stiffer. Also quit reminding us of the fact that you fine, we know that already, we see you in videos. Keep it up bro, I see you on top.

RATINGS

• Lyrics and Lyrics Delivery – 5           
• Music Production – 6
• Collaborations – 5
• Looks and Physical appearance – 7
• Fans Relation – 4
• Artiste Management – 6
• Record Deal – 5
• Publicity and Strategy – 3
• Video Quality – 7
• General Rating – 5.3 AVERAGE

REMINISCE

“Reminisce” Ibile, street king, Mr. Kako, “Kako Bii Chicken” crooner. Remilekun, a.k.a “Reminisce” is a street king with his Yoruba rap music genre. He does real well on his beat and every single of his, leaves the streets with a slang. “Reminisce” who’s got a real hard look is well adapted to the streets and you can tell from the lyrics of his songs. Mr. Kako hasn’t being doing badly, having features gurus like “Ruggedy Baba”, “9ice” and “Jah Bless”. He sits well on his beat too and has got the right choice and use of words to go with it. This dude in my candid opinion should have gone farther but I think he got a few stuffs to address.

First, Mr. Remilekun, you gotta start smiling. I see you sometimes in photos and TV and I’m like whaaa sheeeeee!!! When your fans listen to your good music, they smile; I guess doing the same won’t harm you either. Secondly, we all know the street is your abode, buh please your song is being played on Victoria Island, Victoria Garden City and even abroad, a little packaging for the “ajebotas” who love you will further boost your career. Lastly, I got reservations as regards your publicity. I was only quick to know that you were dropping an album, and you know the reason. Sell your face, your name; you are a brand, not just your music. Please swallow these bitter pills with a lotta water. On a more relaxed mood bro, you one on the street’s best EVER.

RATINGS

• Lyrics and Lyrics Delivery – 7              
• Music Production – 7
• Collaborations – 6
• Looks and Physical appearance – 5
• Fans Relation – 5
• Artiste Management – 5
• Record Deal – 5
• Publicity and Strategy – 4
• Video Quality – 6
• General Rating – 5.6 AVERAGE

JAHBLESS

“Jah Bless” in the building. The “Joor ooo” crooner. This song got hold of the street for a long time, and the slang in it was generally accepted. The remix to the song was also a commercial hit. Please pardon my bias for “Jahbless” because I must confess that I have been following him in a while prior to the beginning of this research. His got brains and talent and one more fascinating thing is his immense love for growing talents to which I know “9ice” and “Reminisce” can bear me witness. I usually love to use a spectacular line of English when describing him, “JAHBLESS IS STREET MUSIC”.

Musically and commercially, he ain’t in the best of places and there is room for improvement. Although his humility has earned him a good name and tight connects with the A-listers in the entertainment factory, but that isn’t enough. “Jahbless” bro, your publicity is really lacking. Your fans only get to see or hear about you when you drop a single. As a disciple, it took me several hours to grab your album and video the last time they dropped; this goes a long way to tell you that you need to put some things in place. Brother, take these talents that I’m giving you, use them wisely so Jah can bless you more.

RATINGS

• Lyrics and Lyrics Delivery – 7              
• Music Production – 7
• Collaborations – 7
• Looks and Physical appearance – 6
• Fans Relation – 6
• Artiste Management – 5
• Record Deal – 5
• Publicity and Strategy – 4
• Video Quality – 6
• General Rating – 5.9 AVERAGE

HAKYMTHEDREAM

Lamba limbo lamba. “Hakymthedream”, your head is there. The “Lamba Crooner”. His first official single “Dey There” audio and video got me glued to my seat the first time I saw it at a club in Lagos. This brother is a bundle of talents. Moving from “Dey There” to “Scooby Doo” and then “Lamba” only shows how prolific he can be. “Hakym” is always almost perfect on the beat, good with his lines and its usage, good collaborations and producers to go along side.

His videos aren’t bad, with obvious room for improvement and he’s lucky with leaving the streets with a slang too. Also currently signed to “Serengeti Music”, he’s got a very good fan-artiste relationship which I give him kudos for, an excellent management and efficient manager, buh his major hiccup is publicity. “Hakym”, its high time you stopped being the dream, be the real deal bro.

RATINGS

• Lyrics and Lyrics Delivery – 7              
• Music Production – 7
• Collaborations – 7
• Looks and Physical appearance – 7
• Fans Relation – 6
• Artiste Management – 7
• Record Deal – 7
• Publicity and Strategy – 3
• Video Quality – 7
• General Rating – 6.44 AVERAGE

This epistle is open to your views and comments.

Researched by “Wale Applause”.

#ff on twitter @waleapplause01

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