-
The entertainment industry has many stars who need healing – ID Cabasa
Legendary Nigerian music producer and label boss, ID Cabasa, has voiced concerns about the mental health crisis plaguing the Nigerian entertainment industry.
In a series of thought-provoking posts on his X (formerly Twitter) account, the renowned producer shared his perspective on the unaddressed trauma faced by many entertainers.
ID Cabasa, who has been instrumental in shaping the careers of several iconic Nigerian artists, emphasized the urgent need for trauma treatment in the country.
He lamented how entertainers often endure unresolved emotional wounds while being subjected to mockery and judgment instead of receiving the support they desperately need.
“We need to treat trauma more in Naija… A lot of people need closure. Unfortunately, when they speak up, rather than finding healing, *‘People pick side.’* We mock, blame, and judge people for things they need healing from,” he wrote.
The music producer further noted that when entertainers muster the courage to share their struggles, their vulnerability is frequently met with criticism, which only deepens their pain.
“The entertainment industry has many stars that need healing… But commentators deepen their pain by criticising them rather than showing empathy. So a lot is locked in to appear STRONG while dying internally. Even when they cry out for help, we gloss over it as entertainment.”
ID Cabasa’s remarks come in the wake of a recent online feud between musician Spyro and music executive Ubi Franklin. Spyro accused Franklin of owing him ₦10 million and detailed his harrowing experiences during a two-year stint under Paul Okoye’s One Africa Music Fest label.
In an emotional interview with ‘Echo Room,’ Spyro recounted the hardships he endured while signed to the label, shedding light on the challenges many Nigerian artists face behind the glitz and glamour of the industry.
ID Cabasa’s commentary serves as a reminder of the hidden battles faced by entertainers and the pressing need for empathy and mental health awareness in Nigeria’s entertainment ecosystem.