Blowing up into the celebrity status is every young artists' dream. That sudden transition into one of the most sort after artists in the industry is undoubtedly a stage every young artist can't wait to get to. The stage where you get paid for almost everything ranging from performances, features, endorsements, club , cameo and other appearances. The stage when you can headline events, sell out venues and live that ultimate celebrity lifestyle. Some of the factors that enable a young artist get to this point in their careers range from;
- Heavy financial support
- Affiliation with an already established artist/celebrity or platform
- Mass appeal of the young artist's sound
- Grace among other things
But in the absence of most of the above mentioned factors, a young artist may find it difficult achieving that career breakthrough that would eventually bring him to the celebrity status. There have been instances where young artists have the first two above mentioned factors at their disposal but still nothing to show for it. There is no exact formulae on how to blow up in the industry. We have seen cases where the least deserving or the least expected artists suddenly blow up and rise to stardom. We have also seen very hardworking and consistent artists blow up too and vice versa. That brings me to GROWTH. So, in the absence of "BLOW", a young artist could "GROW" into that celebrity he/she desires. The difference here is that it may take a longer period of time but with consistency, passion and patience, that young artist will eventually grow into this desired status. Nobody knows how long the artist would have to be patient for and this is were the real frustration comes in. The air of uncertainty accompanied with the pressures of time.
Let's deviate for a while, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan of Nigeria rose to become the number one citizen of Nigeria even without obvious ambitions while President Mohammed Buhari had to try four times before he could get to the same position. Now considering the four years interval that elections are held in Nigeria, one can say President Buhari had to wait sixteen years (4 * 4) before he could achieve the same thing Goodluck Ebele Jonathan achieved at first trial. So, using this analogy, one can say President Goodluck blew up while President Buhari had to grow into that position with consistency and patience. Using the Nigerian Music Industry as a case study, here are some artists that we can say grew into the celebrity status; Maleek Berry, Praiz, Aramide, Harrysong, SDC, Waje, Niniola and so on.
In summary, this piece was put together by me to encourage every young artist out there hoping to hit their peak as artists/celebrities in the industry. Trust me when I say that I understand what you could be going through at the moment because I am going through the same thing and I can tell you that I am learning a lot about the hustle as well at this stage of my career. I have seriously considered quitting but being here has revealed to me how badly I want this as Passion is one of the things that has kept me going.
CPA
anticipate "MONEY AND LEGACY" (EP)