Hip-hop Music had
made an inroad into the Nigerian music scene in the 90s and early 2000. At that
time, attention was going away from the Highlife music and other indigenous
music genres like Fuji, Juju, Apala and others.
It was then young
music stars like Junior and Pretty, the defunct Plantainshun Boiz, Remedies,
and others were springing up. These stars were the reigning figures in the
Nigerian music industry then. Then, Ajegunje 'Galala'-styled music was even the style that embarrassed both the high and the
mighty.
Artistes like Baba
Fryo, Daddy Showkey, Daddy Fresh, Nico Gravity and Black Reverends were the
kings of Nigerian music industry at that time. They enjoyed the spotlights,
press interviews and headlined many top shows held in the country.
At that time, the
smash hit single by Black Reverends, 'Ayangba Girls', was like a National
Anthem. Most parties and events were not complete without that song. But like a
flower that withers in the afternoon, nothing was ever heard about the singers
of that hit song again.
Though many
speculated that the rise of other younger stars and the love for more danceable
and fast beats songs faded the 'Ajegunle' stars out of the game, up till now,
only 2Face, who was with the Plantainshun Boiz is still in the mainstream music
industry in Nigeria.
However, the
'Ayangba Girl' crooners, Black Reverends, are planning a comeback into the
music scene. Though they have few new songs, they are doing their best to win
music hearts with their hit single of yesteryears.
Speaking with
First Weekly Magazine at a recent event, the group said that they had to split
due to a 'slave' contract they signed with their record label back then, adding
that this chased them out of the scene for a long time.
“We signed a
10-year contract (1999-2009) with our record label,” the group told First
Weekly. “We were young then,” the group continued, “but we are matured now,”
they added.
They said that,
“we had to split but only re-united few years ago, though we were still
communicating with each other. For now, we don't have any record label. We are
launching back into the industry.'
When asked if the
stiff competition in the music industry from much younger artistes won't pose a
threat to them, the two-man group said, “not at all. We just have to give the
people what they want. It just means we have to get good and danceable beats to
lay our voices on. We still have the vibes to do hit songs.”
Many artistes have
tried making a comeback into the music scene, but this has not been possible.
The music industry in Nigeria has taken a new turn to the extent that most
pioneers of the contemporary music have been relegated to the background by new
artistes.
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