This blog is dedicated to all who seek to listen to African music, it is a blog dedicated to all those who love and cherish their culture and heritage but most of all its dedicated to all those who still believe music is a weapon.
I’ll jump right into my first topic, and one of my pet peeves, the issue on music genres or a term we like to use regularly at Vuga Online Radio “music characterization”. One thing that really annoys me is when the world refers to none western music as "World Music" automatically categorizing and grouping all other music genres together; for example South Koreas K-Pop, India’s Raga rock, and even Africa’s Afropop as one big happy family. However I can understand when the world fails to acknowledge these genres by name similar to Mohammed Ali defying the American govt. by boldly stating his name wasn’t Cassius Clay (RIP). However, what really annoys me is when Africans misapply the genres in their countries, most especially Nigerians.
Nigeria is popularly known as the giant of Africa but I personally like to refer to Nigeria as the country in Africa with the most users who have access to the internet; hence the most internet savvy.
This is the reason Nigeria music has been the focal point on our ride at Vuga.fm. In Nigeria you can say the music genres are categorized into two distinct groups Cultural and Contemporary. The contemporary group further breaks down into two-sub groups old school & Modern as listed below;
Old School
Rock N Roll
Funk
Afrojuju
Yo-Pop
Etc…
Modern
Highlife
Fuji
Afrobeat
Reggae
Soul
R&B
Gospel
Jazz
Afropop
Reggaetone
Afrohiphop
Hip-hop
Below are some examples of these genres, I have taken the liberty to select two songs per genres allowing you the reader/listeners experience different angles and takes, please enjoy:
FUNK
- The Wings ft Paul McCartney - "I've Been Loving You"
"The Wings were the preeminent band in early 70s southeastern Nigeria, a devastated and demoralized region whose short stint as the sovereign Republic of Biafra had recently been brought to an abrupt halt by the events of the Nigerian civil war (which we will not get into here). Out of this bleak climate a plethora of rock bands emerged, mostly for the purpose of entertaining the occupying federal Nigerian troops, who were just about the only people who had money to spend on recreation."
AFOJUJU
"A superstar in his native Nigeria since the late '60s, juju bandleader King Sunny Ade was hailed by American critics in 1982 as the next Bob Marley. While Ade, who sings in his native Yoruba tongue, never achieved that level of popularity in the U.S., he and his 20-piece African Beats band did whet American and European appetites for "world music." In addition, Ade helped open the door for other Afro-pop artists, among them fellow Nigerian juju stars Ebenezer Obey and Dele Abiodun, Zaire's Tabu Ley Rochereau and Papa Wemba, Senegal's Youssou N'Dour, South Africa's Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens, and Madagascar's Rossy and Tarika Sammy."
HIGHLIFE
- Osadebe - "Osondu Owendi" (Old School)
"In March 1936, Osadebe was born in Igbo town of Atani in Southeastern Nigeria. He came from a line of singers and dancers in Igboland. His genre, Highlife encompassed Igbo musical elements. Along with this, calypso, samba, bolero, rumba, jazz and waltz were also present in Osadebe's musical style. It was in his high school years in Onitsha, a major commercial city near Atani, that Osadebe grew interested in music."
- Flavour - "I Don't Care" (Morden)
"Late one afternoon on the 23rd of November, 1983 in the eastern part of Nigeria in Symbol Hospital, Okonanu Enugu, Chinedu Izuchukwu Okoli a.k.a. “Flavour Nabania” was born into the family of Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin O. Okoli. His father Mr. Benjamin O. Okoli is a successful trader who emphasized greatly on the importance of education on his children and this is evident in the fact that all his children attended some of the best schools of the time. Chinedu “Flavour” Okoli’s educational background is indeed enviable."
FUJI
- King Wasiu - "USA" (Old School)
"A member of Chief Doctor Sikiru Ayinde Barrister's band, the Supreme Fuji Commanders, from 1978 until 1984, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal I, or KWAM1 (born: Wasiu Ayinde Adewale Omogbolahan Anifowsha), has assumed his mentor's role as "king of fuji," a style of dance music combining juju, apala, and Yoruba blues. A prolific recording artist, KWAM1 continues to update the fuji style."
- Dammy Krane - "Amin" (Modern)
"Oyindamola Johnson Emmanuel, popularly known as Dammy Krane, is a Nigerian singer, composer and performer. In January 2012, at age 18, he signed a record deal with Hypertek Records (currently Hypertek Digital / 960 Music Group). He is most famous for his single hit "My Dear". He is an Afropop artist but has slowly tried to amalgamate both genres into something more modern.
AFROBEATS
- Fela Kuti - "Power Show" (Old School)
"It's almost impossible to overstate the impact and importance of Olufela Olusegun Oludotun Anikulapo-Kuti (or just Fela as he's more commonly known) to the global musical village: producer, arranger, musician, political radical, outlaw. He was all that, as well as showman par excellence, inventor of Afro-beat, an unredeemable sexist, and a moody megalomaniac. His death on August 2, 1997 of complications from AIDS deeply affected musicians and fans internationally, as a musical and sociopolitical voice on a par with Bob Marley was silenced.
- Oghene Kologbo - "L.C.I.A" (Morden)
"Guitar legend Oghene Kologbo was born in Warri, Nigeria in 1957. His father was a well known highlife musician. When Kologbo was a teenager, he began performing with the revolutionary Afrobeat master Fela Kuti. Kologbo went on to record more than 50 sides with Africa 70. He played the hypnotic tenor guitar lines, but often recorded bass and rhythm guitar too"
SOUL
- Bez - "Stop Pretending"
"Emmanuel Bezhiwa Idakula, known as Bez is a Nigerian multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter and composer, working in a genre known as "alternative soul", a hybrid of soul, rock, jazz and R&B. He was featured in Pulse Magazine as number one on the list of "Top 12 Musicians To Look Out For in 2014"
"MAKA is decided on an innovative trail less travelled to achieving industry uniqueness through her music that makes a splicing statement by conniving with and splitting from trance to fusion, hiphop, RnB, metallic, rumba, highlife to traditional gangan sounds to create her signature Afrocentric soul art."
R&B
- Wande Coal - "Plan B"
"Djinee is a Nigerian urban artist with a rock edge. In a short while, he has achieved a track record of hit songs from the very first single he dropped. "Ego" was a pleasant and sweet surprise to the Nigerian audience. With just one song, albeit intense, Djinee stamped his authority on the music scene, embellishing our music thirst with sweet lyrics and amazing vocals. We fell in love. It was his powerful yet emotion-laden voice– like squeaky steel - that caught the ears of a record label "Westside Inc." where he released the debut hit single "Ego".
- Banky W - "Follow You Go"
"Hailed as the King of African R&B, the prolific singer, songwriter, producer known as Banky W is ushering in a new generation of vibrant artists on the continent and is reenergizing the entertainment industry. Born in the United States he grew up in Lagos where he began singing in church at an early age and upon completion of secondary school moved to New York to study Engineering. While still in college he won and was featured in numerous competitions and showcases which led him to form Empire Mate$ Entertainment, a label he envisioned as a platform for his music and the home of uber songwriting and production duo ‘Muzik Men’
GOSPEL
- Mairo - "Ole Halleluyah" (indigenous)
"Mairo Ese, whose birth name is Oghenemairo Okechukwu Ese was born into a family of six, he has three siblings and was born in Lagos state. He is from Isoko south local government area of Delta state. Mairo accepted Christ over 18years ago & has since discovered and followed his passion and calling for worship, having served in different capacities as a worship leader & director. His music encompasses an eclectic blend of R & B and Soul and a soulful mix of smooth dynamic sounds, he transforms worship songs into experiences."
"A popular Nigerian group made up of Kehinde Akinbode, Joe Okougbo, David Thomas, Samson Nnogo and Sunny Steve. Their breakthrough was debut album ‘Olori Oko’, which was their third attempt to release a disc. "
JAZZ
"Music and independence : Asa was insatiable in her desire to live life to the fullest, to meet people, to be immersed in music. Asa was born in Paris. Her early life in the City of Light left the little girl with only the vaguest of (happy) memories, since she was no more than two years old when her family returned to live in Nigeria. Paris was just one stage in the life of her courageous and hard-working parents. But her fate was tied up with the city : it was to Paris that Asa returned twenty years later and where her life as an artist took wing."
AFROPOP
"Kiss Daniel showed an interest in music from an early age, and was encouraged by his father. He started his music career professionally 2013 after his tertiary education, when he came across G-Worldwide Entertainment CEO, Emperor Geezy. After being signed to G-Worldwide entertainment, he released his first official single "Shoye" which was produced by Beatburx on May 1, 2014, along with a music video was directed by MEX. Daniel released his second single "Woju", produced by Dj Coublon on September 1, 2014. "
"Kcee did not plan to become a musician in life his dream is to become a professional footballer, He played for Julius Berger and Puma when he was in Ajegunle, But Kcee has this belief that he was definitely going to be in the entertainment industry. It was between music and football. He says ‘At the end of the day, the God that always writes scripts has written mine, I was just acting in it; I thought I was going into football but I found myself doing music"
REGGAETON
- Patoranking - "Alubarika"
"Patoranking, is a Nigerian Reggae-dancehall singer and songwriter. He started his musical career doing underground collaborations with artists such as XProject, Konga, Slam and Reggie Rockstone. He signed a record deal with K-Solo's Igberaga Records in 2010, releasing "Up In D Club" under the outfit. Patoranking became a protégé of Dem Mama Records after collaborating with Timaya on his song "Alubarika"."
"Shadow D’don is a Nigerian artist born in Ibadan but grew up in Lagos and London. While he was in London he got featured on the hit track 'Ta lo sobe’. The track featured big names like Iceprince Zamani, Jesse Jagz and Dotstar. He later moved back to Nigeria in forth quarter of 2012 and dropped a couple singles like ‘yepa’ and ‘ovakaku’"
REGGAE
- Danfo Drivers - "Weepin & Wailin" (indigenous)
"The duo of Mountain Black and Mad Melon (real names Jimoh Olotu and Omeofa Oghene respectively) are better known by hit single ‘I am a Danfo Driver, Suo’. As youngsters growing up in the slums of Ajegunle, Lagos they were exposed to the conventional music of Ajegunle called Galala music and indulged in it in their leisure time."
- Majek Fashek - "Little Patience " (Modern)
"African reggae star Majek Fashek attracted international attention, in 1987, when his self-penned tune, "Send Down The Rain," seemed to coax a rain storm that ended one of the worst draughts in Nigeria' s history. Labled a "prophet", Fashek went on to become one of Africa's greatest reggae-influenced performers. His debut solo album, Prisoner Of Conscience, released in 1988, sold more than 200,000 copies in Nigeria alone."
AFROHIPHOP
- 2Shotz - "Make Them Talk"
"2Shotz‚ real name‚ William Iroha started rapping in 1992. He hooked up with an upcoming artist‚ 2Ply and they both started the group‚ Foremen in 1999. Foremen later met eLDee of the Trybesmen and signed onto Trybe Records in 2000. Their first album was titled Men at Work and featured hit single For the Men. The duo split later that year leaving 2Shotz to carry on as a solo artist under Trybe Records. He joined the group‚ The Trybe which was a collection of all the artists under record label."
- SDC - "Happy Weekend"
"With a strong following in their home country Nigeria, the United States and United Kingdom, these young and fresh lyricists have taken their position in the music industry with the sole intention of projecting a positive musical message laced with raw yet intelligent beats and lyrical content. SDC synchronizes Nigerian beats together with westernized melodic styles thus concocting a distinctive sound with an extra twist, a sound that makes perfect sense to the multicultural ear."
"The act Vector is synonymous with creating raves and hitting the mark when it’s all about making tunes. Vector is one act that craves for songs transforming into lifestyle and beats that will transcend our Hip Hop boarders. Not stopping there he plans to affect lives positively with his chosen career further proving a point globally with numerous Crossover-Hybrid synergies with Naija Hip Hop songs to his credit, and still counting."
HIPHOP
"ModeNine is a Nigerian rapper often regarded as one of the best rappers in Africa. He is known to epitomize what he calls Afro Hip Hop (which signifies African hip hop) with his amazing metaphorical lyrics, deep relevant punchlines and creativity. ModeNine was greatly influenced by artists like KRS-One, Roy Ayers, Kurtis Blow and Big Daddy Kane."
- Sauce Kid - "Round Here"
"Sauce KiD completed his high school education in Nigeria after which he moved to the United States. Here, he cultivated the habit of rhyming although it would not show forth until February 2005 when he agreed to start up an independent recording label "Q Beats Entertainment."
- Trick - "Round Here"
"Trick now TriQ is known for his Social Charisma, and enlightening listeners with his lyrically inclined rap. He got his name from his close friends because he was always the smartest in the bunch. While in Redeemer’s University Trick and a group of close friends, which include other artistes, models and managers came together to form a group, which is now known as Topnotch."