This is Why Yoruba musicians dominated the Nigerian music industry
Lagos is considered the hub of African music, where artistry goes mainstream, in fact not only art but almost everything along the lines of Nigeria, and this is why factually Yoruba musicians dominated the Nigerian music industry.
Also regarded as the highest level of everything, the media, money, the biggest concerts happen in Lagos, so are the opportunities for growth.
The Nigerian music industry has evolved to the point where it requires expansion to other geographical areas.
In a nutshell, it is the centre of Nigerian entertainment, the country’s version of Hollywood.
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While New York City/Long Island is recognized as the regional scene in the United States that has garnered international recognition, many other places throughout the world have active local Hip Hop cultures.
Some Nigerian musicians that live in close proximity to one another are neglected and undervalued in the Nigerian music industry, but I’ll let it slip to avoid misunderstanding in the context.
This brings us to the point of the discussion: it’s past time for the music industry to decentralize and include other regions in the mainstream music dialogue.
Furthermore, it is fascinating and thought-provoking to have musical luminaries from across Nigeria, including Eastern (Phyno, Flavour, Zoro, Tekno, Patoranking, Psquare), South-South (Timaya, Burna Boy, Omah Lay, Duncan Mighty, Mr 2Kay), the Middle Belt (Terry G, 2Baba, Joe EL, Bella Alubo), and the North-Central (Ice Prince, Jesse Jagz, M.I Abaga.
However, expanding the spotlight to those regions will enable more growth and development in the Nigerian music industry.
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All the Nigerian regions have produced some major players in the industry yet they are left out of the conversation, I will highlight some factors that can aid the decentralization of the Nigerian music industry below;
Extension of Record Label
There is a need for a renowned record label to extend to other regions, in other words having YBNL, Mavins, DMW, Kennis music etc in other regions will serve a long way in decentralising the Nigerian music industry.
The Media
The media plays important role in centralisation, there isn’t much debate about it, they focus only on the mainstream, and extending or engulfing other regions will channel the spotlight to other regions as well, from radios, TV channels, magazines and other media outlets.
Show Promoters/Organisers
show promoters can also play important roles in billing and allocating big stage concerts regularly to other regions, it will bring the spotlight and other investors around the region.
Apart from Phyno, no other artistes play a major concert outside Lagos.