I made up my mind ever since two years ago not to punish myself over attending musical shows involving Nigeria artistes, both Gospel and Secular. Reason for this has been best known to me from day one - our artistes are lazy, an eyesore and arrogant on stage.
So I was at the Eko Hotels yesternight for the Glo Laffta Fest. Who doesn't love a comedy show? For mesmiley, it was the best moment to ease myself of the many pressures I've been subjected to of late. Honestly, I had forgotten that music was added. I guess I wasn't really expecting a thing from any of the artistes. The code has worked ever since; love their songs over the air (TV and radio), avoid their live performances like a plague.
After laughing to no end, Burna Boy, just like every other Nigerian act came up without a single back up. It was solo, perhaps more money to him. Calling on DJ Jimmy Jatt at intervals, I could remember Burna Boy singing over six songs within 10 minutes. Which successful artistes does this
Within 15 minutes, Burna Boy had almost finished his album. His average time for each was 2 minutes each, worst of all, they were all lip-synced
The presence of DJs at shows meant for artistes have done more harm than good over the years and this is in turn affecting our music beyond the shores of Africa. The cliché has been the same over the years; they come on stage with the intention to "sing along" all in the name of performance.
It doesn't make sense attending events and all you hear on the stage is "DJ! Let's Go!!" and all you see afterwards is the annoying, regular, unrepentant and unprofessional catwalks they exhibit on the stage. Parambulating like it's a fashion show.
For Pete's sake we watch other foreign acts and they don't do all these. I keep a particular video close to my heart, a live video of Jay Z (a rapper) performing "Young Forever" with Beyoncé. One would think we have not started compared to these folks. We claim our music has attained a reasonable standard, yet they all tow the same line, boring walks, calling on DJ's to play the next track just to "sing along" or lip sync in the name of performance.
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rmfmdKOLzVI
Although the subsequent comedies from Basketmouth, Bovi, I go dye and others resuscitated the show. Perhaps our artistes would fare better if they don't sing, come to the show, sign autographs and go home because I can't fathom how they justify the word "performance".
Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Beyoncè, 50cents, Ashley Simpson, the great R-Kelly, Jennifer Hudson, Mariah Carey, Britney Spears among others have been caught in the lip-synching SCANDAL at some point in their careers, yet we brandish it in Nigeria like nothing is wrong with it.
www.forbes.com/sites/michelecatalano/2013/01/25/from-michael-jackson-to-beyonce-a-brief-history-of-lip-syncing/
Perhaps this explains why our glorified international acts struggle in the international scene, save for those who take their shows to these folks. Life, as far as music is concerned is beyond cut and paste in the studio. It continues on the stage not with mediocrity but giving your all.
I honestly couldn't wait to leave the venue after seeing Korede Bello, Dija, and Reekado Banks trying to find their way to the backstage to prepare at about 10:30pm. The scenario is all too familiar; better to have me listen to your songs in my house than see you jumping around while you sing your 2 mins songs with the cliché "DJ! Let's go!!"
PS: For those who don't know, lip-synching is considered offensive and highly scandalous if roped around an artiste in saner climes.
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