Next Big Thing in Naija Country Style Music

Nigerian Country Style Music is the blending of Nigerian languages into the average music style. Every Naija musician is a replica of the word Patriotism; each coming to the front with a unique style. As the case is now; Nigerian music is in the forefront; leading other entertainment sectors, but in all fairness: Nigerian languages infused music is truly the normality in selling our culture. Music is inspiringly African; because many of us know the true effects of crafting our style.This is what brings us to this piece; done by Mood editor for The Wazobia Gazette, for The Daily Sun. A rundown of some Nigerian singers from the seventies to the present day; this work showcases professional performers, who have beaten all odds to define who they are. Starting from forgotten legends who later had their careers re-focused; to sensational stars who became crippled by drug abuse: but kept their cool, to the women behind power labels to the present “it” girl, all the way to the next big thing to look out for.

1. Fatai Rolling Dollars

…The only elements that betray Fatai Rolling Dollar’s age are the front teeth he lost in the course of his 79 years, and the memories of the neo-traditional Nigerian music he has absorbed since he began playing in the Fifties. For the rest, this livewire player of the West African agidigbo thumb piano and the guitar remains a vivid testimony to the vitality of Lagos’s music heritage. In 2004, Fatai returned to Nigeria’s music scene with three albums and was finally recognised as a virtuoso exponent of neo-traditional highlife rhythms and a precursor to juju music. Two years later he teamed up with Tony Allen for the album Lagos No Shakin’. In May 2007, Fatai released a compilation CD bringing together the gems that have marked his troubled career.Despite his early output, Fatai had by and large been forgotten by his country’s music community and international specialists (no mention of him in the venerable Rough Guide to

World Music…). Yet household names like Ebenezer Obey, Fela Kuti and King Sunny Ade, grudgingly admit to his influence on their music.Rolling Dollar, whose real surname is Olagunjo, can thank his schoolmates for his stage name. He was always called on by them to roll a two-and-a-half shilling piece (a dollar) to choose sides for the football matches at school break. He began his musical career during the years of hard graft put in for the marines of the colonial powers in his native port city. Fatai worked the Palm Line that went down to Congo, Libreville, Luanda, and Port Noire. Everywhere he went he picked up different rhythms on the agidigbo and played it in exchange for Lucky Strike cigarettes.His music break came in 1953 when teamed up with master guitarist J.O. Araba and tenor sax Ishola Willie Payne to play at the exclusive Island Club. Their Afro Skittle band adopted Ghanaian palm wine music to Yoruba highlife sounds, a fusion that deeply influenced up-and-coming artists Fela Kuti, Sunny Ade and Ebenezer Obey (whom he taught to play the guitar). In the early days of independence, the Afro Skittles recorded several 78-rpm vinyl songs for Philips, the most popular of which were « Ranka Dede » and « Ogba oya ya ».The start of Fatai’s demise dates back to the night of February 18 1977, when the military, under the orders of Olusegun Obasanjo, burnt down Fela’s self-proclaimed Kalakuta Republic. At the time, Fatai lived two doors away and he lost his home and all his musical possessions. It put a brutal stop to the career of this impish composer who took refuge in a one-room shack in the notorious Mushin neighbourhood of Lagos.For the following 25 years, Fatai has stayed there, eking out a living first as a security man in a sports complex and then as a guitarist for the local church. It was only after Punch journalist Funso Aina complained in his column about « the bundle of talent that is wasting away » in Mushin, that the career of this father-of-ten was resurrected. First the Goethe Institute, then the French Cultural Centre invested in bringing him out of retirement. The latter, under the guidance of director Joel Bertrand, took him in May 2003, to Rabat, Morocco, to open the second edition of the capital’s world music festival. The result is a splendid live album brought out by the Lagosian label Jazzhole Records.Already in 2003, Jazzhole executive director Olakunle Tejuoso had released a record to mark the singer’s comeback. Simply called « Fatai Rolling Dollar returns », its socially-drenched lyrics and old world charm take us back to the Sixties palmwine style. This contemporary of Julius Araba, Ayinde Bakare, Eddy Fasaiye and Seni Tejuosho has now followed up with the May 2004 release « Won Kere Si Number » and, all of a sudden, everyone wants a piece of the diehard musician. A black beret almost always screwed on his diminutive head, a smile as broad as his musical experience, Fatai Rolling Dollar believes he has plenty more to give to West African music, and patiently waits for his rightful place in African music history…

2. Majek Fashek….

done by AfricaSoundsThe interview took place in Washington Square Park, New York. The vibe was just right. In our hands, we held the latest demo of yet unreleased songs for Majek's upcoming album. We decided to begin our discussion by focusing on each of the five songs on that demo, one by one. With Majek, you’ve got to know why he wrote the song, and what he was getting at. Sometimes, you have to push, dig deeper, to get the real meaning.That day we found ourselves digging deep for the meaning of Majek's songs, philosophy and his view of the world around him. Read on...AfricaSounds: Hey Majek, thanks for spending time with us today. Let’s talk about this demo here, its brand new and it isn’t yet released. We’d like to give our readers a preview of what is to come from you.Majek Fashek: I am working with some musicians over in California, my promotion company hooked them up with me, and we did some work. We arranged the music to get the right musicians for the right sound.AfricaSounds: Let’s start with the first song, "Job Lamentation". Tell us about it…

Majek Fashek: I’m talking about Job, I dedicated that song to my late brother who was a Biafra soldier – you know he believed in God and things happened. At the same time, I start to realize life in its redefinition. Referring to the song lyrics "We are not fighting against flesh and blood, but spiritual wickedness in high and low places." So what I am trying to say is that Job was the son of God in the Bible. Job heard everything. Man, he was tempted by the devil to give up Jah will…Job tried, you know…

Just like what has happened to me in my career – because before I had a very big contract with Interscope Records, you know what I am saying… things happen and I was on some spiritual experience. Things like that – losing all the bucks, just like that… but still surviving!Surviving and reflecting on the survival of man, and the message. So reflection of that has already passed us by. I don’t really think about it no more… that is why we are back on our new project. I had my last project that I did with Tuff Gong records (that produced the album "Rainmaker") but this new project is different, we are trying to handle this project ourselves. Because the American music industry is going nuclear…. Nuclear in the sense that you have independent labels now.AfricaSounds: On these past projects, did you maintain control of the entire production?

Majek Fashek: No, it was controlled by the recoding industry. They would give me some leverage to produce music – I produced with Little Steve the album "Spirit of Love" with Interscope… but you know right now were are not talking about that type of money…AfricaSounds: That could be said about the state of the recording industry in general. Things keep changing, there’s not much consistency with labels and people working within those labels, don’t you think?Majek Fashek: Well, you can try to do better for yourself but you still need a house… you know, you can’t be sleeping on the street. There is a chain of command, like you know. I was in the house after Interscope with Tuff Gong Records, but now Tuff Gong has moved from New York, and its kind of affected the whole deal that we had. Like you were saying, every year there seems to be a change with these companies.AfricaSounds: That’s part of what is hurting the efforts of so many musicians that we see, because a musician can work very hard to set up a relationship with a recording house and then the house is gone, or gobbled up, or the management changes.Majek Fashek: So it is tough. But the life of a musician is good in the United States; the U.S. doesn’t give us any problems. Being in New York is good for a musician, as long as you don’t have your own problems and can stay focused. America is the best place to stay as a musician, I would never disregard that. You have more venues, you have promoters, you have agencies… it’s just for you to know how to hook up with these people, that is the challenge. To get the right contacts and hook up with the right people.

3. Asa –

Jailer By gorette A young Nigerian singer by the name of Asa (pronounced Asha) is currently causing a stir with a debut album called Naïve. Asa’s subtle mix of soul, folk and pop, cleverly interwoven with her African roots has already gained attention. Featuring impeccable percussion, a funky Hammond organ, reggae-infused bass and contributions from celebrity flautist Magic Malik, Asa’s debut album contains two stand-out tracks: Jailer, a song about “the irony of oppression, not just political or racial oppression, but the kind that operates in everyday life” and Fire on the mountain.

Asa’s singing is deep and beautiful! She is a rising star and I love her!

4. Keziah Jones

Have you heard of Olufemi Sanyaolu? I thought not, but have you hard of Keziah Jones? Probably more likely. Keziah Jones is the alter ego for one of the UKs most talented Guitarists and Singers,whose hits Rhythm is Love, Million Miles from Home and Liquid

Sunshine propelled him into recognition in the 90s and of which he still enjoys a huge Cult following in the UK, Europe and increasingly in the USA.

I was at a small African gig in Kilburn, when this skinny, fella in a sleeveless T-shirt and Fedora walked in with my friend Sax Player Ayo Ordia and incidentally at the same time I was doing a Fela Kuti song, when I recognised him, we adapted the song to his hit "Rhythm is Love" which was the signal for the brother to jump on stage and belt the song through, no airs no graces and ceremony- true class! We had a long chat later about his plans and lost touch till I went to his gig at the Jazz Cafe in 2003, which was packed to the rafters and which left even me hardened Gig-head open-mouthed, I wondered how he packed so much kinetic energy into that wiry frame.Born in Nigeria to a Millionaire Industrialist dad, he was sent to Public school in the UK atthe age of 8, but by the time he approached his teens, he got bored still with the whole grind ("I had to find a way out of all that bullshit, and music was it!") and taught himself to play the Piano and Guitar and whilst still in his early teens threw himself into the Gig and Busking circuit of London and Paris ("Lose all time, love your mind, free your soul!") . There he was discovered by Phil Picket and signed up to a record deal, where his first major hit album Blufunk is a Fact was recorded. Just in case youre in any doubt this guy was a Hippy through and through. Influenced by Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, Sly Stone and by Fela Kuti, his trademark high energy Guitar riffs and incredibly vast and sweet voice/range.texture make his live shows an experience in themselves. Critically acclaimed for his incredibly complex Guitar phrases and high energy delivery (vocal and Instrumental) his albums are a collectors item all over the world for true afficionadoes of Alternative Funk and Indie Rock. Also a Poet and Photographer, he has in more recent times spent his time in the USA pursuing his art quietly and from the look for things enjoying himself thoroughly as only "Rugged International"- (his nickname) is capable. His last album "Black Orpheus" enjoyed mixed reviews but he is still a favourite on the touring circuit and I remember being barely able to get a ticket for his show at the Jazz Cafe. More recently we have been back in touch again on Facebook, where he quietly hides under his real name. Im still trying to convince him to work on the Fatai Rolling Dollar Funk album, who knows?...by Seal 67

…Next Big Thing5. Artiste: Papi Flo’o

Genre- CountryrocksoulraggahopType of Musician: Country SingerInstruments: Harmonica and Box GuitarLabel: Flo’oH Records…A twenty six year old singer; a tenor with a sultry voice, who is fast on the uprising as Nigeria’s first truly remarkable Country Singer.…Dreams do come true; as long as you believe. Onyedika{ which in Ibo stands for “Who is like”}is an inspiring songwriter with a witty and clever appeal towards everyday situations. His classic street hit: “Chekeleke” is a very true rendition of how to create a hit from simply been different. So simply: Onyedikachukwu; which means “Who is like God” can be the same as Onyedikamu, which is “Who is like me…” His next street hit: “Like my own way” is a statement of his own believe in becoming who God has predestined him to be.…Papi Flo’o, a true showman is fully a very talented performer. Without an album to his name; he is already ranked next Asha. Already a star of great repute on the streets, Flo’o {as he is know by some} or Papi {as some choose to call him} is a fashion show performer. A niche he has carved for himself; a very seasoned showman, Papi Flo’o is a amusician with a lot of street credibility. His raw style is truly energetic and appeals to all kinds.…He infuses Ibo lyrics with pidgeon english, with a mild use of Yoruba and a whole lot of melody. With a fan base already {Fan Basse Papi}. The muchly liked star is a force of nature to reckon with. Ever looking like a wild rock star or even at times shocking people with his long beards and silky locks, Papi Flo’o is indeed a very good looking man. His voice is as charming as his personality is.….Counting from the ‘70’s till date, we did a search of Nigerian singers who have done it their own way. Only twenty six; Papi Flo’o own his own label, manages one of his students at a time. A very talented and gifted music teacher, his record label produces street shows to showcase his “one” artiste at a time.…A seasoned writer for screen and a noted street jogger, Papi Flo’o is trying not only to be the best, but is helping other “bests” realize their worth. In this issue of seeking for true professionalism; we discussed with the actor-model-artiste on his phenomenal rise as a performer with style, class and a whole lot of street credibility.

H: As an actor, what is your drive?Papi Flo’o: To be the bestH: As a model, what is the best thing you’ve done?Papi Flo’o: Creating a street show tagged “Tali Eniola Street Show” with H. It was more of a fashion show. I was on the run way as a model, and also performed as a country singer on stage.H: As a singer; what are you working on?Papi Flo’o: I’m working on some singles right now, to be released soon.H: How did you come about becoming a Country Singer?Papi Flo’o: I started off in the choir…so I’ve always listened to good classical music, but most importantly is what I see everyday in the CountryH: Country Music, is that your genre?Papi Flo’o: When I say to people am a country singer, they tend to drift to the path of Jim Reeves, Don Williams and co. But am not a country singer in that bracket only, am a country singer, because am a country boy, who lives by the country side, home breed, Nigeria, west side. My genre is “Corosorah” .H: Where did the name “ Corososrah” come from?Papi Flo’o: It’s just a little bit of everything I do, it’s An abbreviation for Countryrocksoulraggahop.H: How did you decide to start a peculiar style?Papi Flo’o: I’ll say you never really know...I kind of listened to different varieties of music, that they all shaped me to what I do today, without me even knowing.H: What’s your singing style?

Papi Flo’o: I am a casual singer…singing comes easy for me…my singing style is inspirationalH:Who would you say influences you more?Papi Flo’o: There is really no-one: they just come and go…H: You’ve been singing for how many years?Papi Flo’o: the’ve always said “boy u got a good voice”; but I started singing since the mid ‘90’s when in the choir, but I started writing and doing my own kind of music like since 2003.H: Where do you get the inspiration to write songs?Papi Flo’o: I write mostly from my own life experiences; things around me, am a naturistic fellow. I got most of my earlier inspiration as a songwriter, from my time at Nsukka.H: What were you doing at Nsukka? Did you go to the university there?Papi Flo’o: I was wandering, everyone passed tru that phase…(laughs)..ok seriously school admission and all that stuff…they ended up given me diploma shit.. I did for a while and off I went, back to the street to do what I know best, street music, street shows, everything around showbiz, am just a hustler.H: Why did you choose to be a street hit first; before making it big time?Papi Flo’o: I think it is important to see what people think of your music first…right now my song “chekeleke” is already a street chorus; that’s street credibilty marked for me.H: Which legend can you be compared to?Papi Flo’o: I wouldn’t like the comparism thing, but I like Marley and Dube style, Akon Majek, 2face and Asa too…H: Which attribute of your life; has kept you in line with your choice of music style?Papi Flo’o: My voice and guitar; both an aftermath of my watchword: “FOCUS”.H: Who is the best soul singer in Nigeria now?Papi Flo’o: It’s Asa for me…H: Is gospel music close to what people call soul music or is it purely different?Papi Flo’o: There is no limit to gospel music. It could be soul or any other style, depending on the artiste.H: Do you have to know the notes of music to be a great songwriter?Papi Flo’o: Not really! It’s just a plus. There are people who know no jack about music, but are still great songwriters. Songwriting basically has to do with melody and words.H: Who is your biggest muse; when it comes to inspiration? Who inspires you to become the best?

Papi Flo’o: Myself and Sorroundings…but per get up and kick ass, it has to be you of course…