Multiple awards winning singer 2face Idibia has taken to his official Instagram page to share an exciting piece by Emmaugolee about Nigerian music albums that got invited to the Grammy and what made them stand out from other albums.
The post shared by the legendary singer talks about issues that had hindered many Nigerian music albums from been nominated, hinting lack of support as the major. He also talked about how all the music albums invited to the Grammy table were in the midst of a very heavy & significant Hollywood company proffering soultions on how to improve the music industry to bring about more Grammy awards.
In his own words, he wrote; ”Another amazing light bulb insight from @emmaugolee
I do not know about you, but I still smile with pride when I think about what Burna & Wizzy did for us. Thanks to them, we see our shoulders disrupting aeroplane movement when we are around other African music acts. Anyone who underrates this achievement needs a drainage system for bad blood.
Speaking of which, I was also proud of the brotherly support other music acts gave our winners. It takes maturity to do that & mean it because human nature would rather lean towards envy.
As I thought about it, I flashed passed a weird reason why bringing home the Grammy can be a little bit more spectacular.
Here’s the window I saw. Every single time we have been invited to the Grammy table, we were in the midst of very heavy & significant Hollywood company.
Go as way back to our 1st invite as a Nominee. It was 1984, the Category was then called “Best Ethnic or Traditional Folk Recording.” For the album “Synchro system” by King Sunny Ade.
Produced by globally renowned Martin Meissonnier while the King was officially signed on to Island records. The album had made #91 on the billboard top 100 & the album before this, had Steven Wonder on a track called Ase. KSA’s Hollywood connect was top notch.
Back to Wizkid and Burna. The 1st time Wizkid got a Grammy nomination, he was riding on affiliation to Drake. The album: ‘Veiws’ if I recall correctly, was up for Album of the year in 2016
His 2nd coming to the table wasn’t without John the Baptist either. This time it was Beyonce who went ahead of our brown skin star boy.
As a fan of Wizzy, it is hard for me to conclude that these two efforts were the best thing he has done in over 10 years, considering that he has had 33 music videos 44 singles, 4 studio albums 16 guest appearances 7 covers and freestyles. Yet only the Hollywood attachments could get him a sit at the table.
In Burna’s case. Thinking of the Hollywood influence, all I can say is “Wawu!”.
Where do I start from? Puff Daddy as Co-executive producer? Timbaland & DJDS as Producers? A Naughty by Nature feature, The contribution of I do English singer song writter, instrumentalist and recorded producer Ch
Where do I start from? Puff Daddy as Co-executive producer? Timbaland & DJDS as Producers? A Naughty by Nature feature, The contribution of English singer song writter, instrumentalist and recorded producer Chris Martin? The feel of British rapper Stormzy? American song writer, record producer Mario Winans? Or Hollywood superstar sound engineer Mike Dean who has worked for Kanye, 2pac, 2chains & Jay z?
Not to mention solid permits to use samples ranging from Tpains “Am sprung” to Sade Adu’s “Sweetest Taboo” all propelled by the PR machinery of Atlantic & Warner music.
Our legendary Femi Kuti too, with all the hot jams, had to “play cold” to get his 1st “win”.
You would just be fishing for trouble if you read this to mean they couldn’t get there without Hollywood’s help.
Infact, my point is the exact opposite. The talent in these ones and more Nigerian acts not-nominated has done more than enough to get Grammys without Hollywood influence.
9ice was not overreaching himself when he dared to dream that he would bring home the Grammy with ID Cabasa and Alogomeji records by his side.
And I pray to live and see that day when we would claim these awards with 100% home grown productions, writing, engineering, singing and promotion. With Music & someday Movies and Fashion. That would say that our talents have not just become of age, but has been given the due recognition.
Let us get to that day 1st. Then we can start looking for the day when we would also be free of the mass market box. The day when…..” and the Grammy nominees for best R&B single are John Legend, Praiz, SZA , Simi and Jazmine Sullivan”That would be the day. That would be spectacular. Till then, we are still standing Twice as Tall. Emma Ugolee”
