Reflects on The Struggles and Triumphs of Eastern Artistes in Lagos’ Entertainment Industry

By Favour Bibaikefie

Lagos, Nigeria’s entertainment hub, is a city brimming with opportunities for musicians and performers. Yet, for artistes from Eastern Nigeria, breaking into Lagos’ competitive music scene comes with unique challenges. This reality was eloquently highlighted in a heartfelt reflection shared by an emerging hip-hop artiste on social media.

The post begins with a reference to Nigerian rap legend Phyno, whose statement about the difficulties faced by Eastern artistes resonated deeply:

“Any artiste from the East of Nigeria who breaks through in the West (Lagos) deserves double accolades.”

Initially, the artiste admitted he didn’t grasp the gravity of Phyno’s words. But as he delved deeper into the music industry, he realized the truth behind the statement:

“It takes grace & extra hard work for an artiste of Eastern extraction to get recognition in Lag. This has nothing to do with tribalism. It’s just the reality of things. The West owns the system of entertainment in Lagos, & that naturally gives them an advantage. So, it takes extra hard work & grace for artistes from other regions to breakthrough.”

Reflecting on an industry that sometimes overlooks trailblazers from the East, he recalled an incident where Igbo rap pioneer Mr. Raw was conspicuously absent from a podcast ranking Nigeria’s greatest rappers.

“The other time, I was watching a podcast where Nigerian rappers were ranked according to their greatness, & to my surprise, the legend, Mr Raw wasn’t mentioned. How? Mr Raw that’s the pioneer of IGBO RAP, & whose songs were everywhere in Nigeria? It was funny & sad at the same time.”

For this artiste, such instances serve as a painful reminder of how easily contributions from the East can be overlooked. However, rather than succumbing to despair, he draws inspiration from the journey of Phyno, who successfully carved a niche in Lagos despite the odds.

“So, I truly now understand what Phyno meant by that statement. Before I dropped my project ‘King Edward Street Motivation,’ I gave private listens to several OGs in the game & music heads I know. And I kid you not, many of them agreed that I was a bunch of enormous talent that would take the Nigerian hip hop scene by a storm.”

Despite receiving rave reviews for his talent, he acknowledges the uphill battle of establishing his presence in Lagos, a city where the stakes are high, and the costs even higher.

“Anyone who has listened to my songs would ask one question, why are you not popping in this Lagos? Guess you’re not pushing hard. I go just laugh & shake my head, because I know the effort & funds I’ve invested in this game.”

Through his struggles, the artiste has grown to appreciate the resilience and achievements of pioneers like Phyno.

“I understand Phyno now. This is why I give him so much accolade for breaking into the Lagos market as an Easterner. Odogwu Ezege. E no easy, my brother.”

He concludes his post with a call to action, urging listeners to explore his work and witness the talent he has poured into his craft.

“Go & listen to my project. And you sef go confirm.”

This candid narrative sheds light on the resilience required for Eastern artistes to thrive in Lagos, while also highlighting the need for a more inclusive appreciation of talent across Nigeria’s diverse regions. As the conversation about representation in the music industry continues, voices like his remind us of the importance of perseverance, hard work, and staying true to one’s roots.

Ijaw-Born Star Dollargirl Set to Release New Song “Honey & Pami” ft. Solid Star

By Divine Perezide

Berlin, Germany — Ijaw-born music sensation Dollargirl has announced the release of her latest single, “Honey & Pami,” featuring popular artist Solid Star. Produced by Krizbeat and mixed and mastered by Selebobo, the track is set to drop on November 22, 2024.

Dollargirl, who hails from Odimodi, is making waves in the music industry with her vibrant sound and passionate performances. The Star expresses her gratitude to her Germany-based record label, “Destiny Record,” and acknowledged the support from fans around the globe.

The IduwiniVoice Official join countless fans and promoters in congratulating Dollargirl on her growing success, wishing her continued progress in her music career.

As anticipation builds for “Honey & Pami,” Dollargirl’s supporters eagerly await what could be her next big hit, adding to her reputation as one of the promising stars in the Nigerian music scene.

Bayelsa-Born Music Sensation B2S Unveils New Music Set for Band.

By Divine Perezide.

Bayelsa’s very own musical sensation, Mr. Francis Roland, also known as B2S, has revealed the introduction of a new music set for his band. Famously recognized as the “Tare Oge Crooner,” this announcement has stirred up excitement among fans and insiders in the music industry.

The arrival of this fresh music set signifies a notable milestone in B2S’s musical journey, highlighting his dedication to delivering exceptional performances and raising the bar in entertainment within the region. Renowned for his enthralling stage presence and distinctive fusion of Owigiri music, B2S continues to garner admiration and acclaim from fans nationwide.

As anticipation mounts for forthcoming performances, fans eagerly await the chance to experience the enchantment of B2S’s music enhanced by the new equipment. With his unyielding passion and undeniable talent, B2S is set to make a lasting impression on the entertainment landscape, both locally and beyond.

Keep tab with IduwiniVoice Newspaper for more updates on B2S and other thrilling developments in the Bayelsa and of course Ijaw entertainment scene.

Source: Ijaw Entertainment News.