Entertainment
Nigeria Music Hall Of Fame …All Hail The Best, Brightest
Fela Amkupo Kuti
Though there are several
awards and ceremonies celebrating Nigerian musicians, but the need to establish a credible platform to celebrate the outstanding veterans living or death who have contributed immensely to the creation and development of Nigeria music industry is paramount in the annals of the industry considering their efforts in portraying the Nigerian-entity through music to the world.
It is probably on this note that the Performing Musician Employers Association of Nigeria (PMAN) Nigeria Music Hall of Fame (PMAN-NMHF) was initiated and launched in 2009. The vision behind the hall of fame is multifaceted as it cuts across to honour, preserve and present the heritage of music, its players and the music business by honouring achievement in talent, performance, writing, technical and business aspects of the industry, to perpetuate the music and music business of Nigeria and our legacy of excellence by presenting and aiding selected new talents.
This project being a new phenomenon, an avowed commitment to the strategic repositioning of the music industry in Nigeria, is designed for the optimum benefit of all stakeholders, and also for the growth and development of our dear nation Nigeria, through the performing and creative arts.
The P-man-Nigeria Music Hall of Fame museum also serves as a vibrant tourist destination that is experimental and interactive for visitors and students from all over the world to share a meaningful educational experience and create inspiring life time memories.
The Organising Committee of the Nigeria Music Hall of Fame in 2014 released the list of 30 great musicians both living and dead who were inducted into the first ever music hall of fame with the National life patron and former President of Nigeria, Dr Goodluck Jonathan on ground and inducted the selected musicians into the Music Hall of Fame. Nigerian Breweries Plc, put its weight behind the project with its star brand and indicated interest to sponsor the building of the museum.
The great music icons who were inducted into the hall of fame included:- Dan Maraya Jos, Mamanshetta, Commander Ebenezer Obey, King Sunny Ade, Sir Shina Peters, Sir Victor Olaiya, Victor Uwaifo, Bright Chimezie, Chief Oliver De Couque, I.K Dairo and Chief Eddy Okonta. Others were Chief Osita Osadebe, Prince Nico Nbanga, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, Orlando Owoh, Femi Kuti, Christie Essien-Igbokwe, Onyeka Onwenu, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, Alhaji Ayinde Barrister and Queen Salawa Abeni.
The good women choir, Evangelist Bola Are, Chris Okotie, Bongos Ikwe, Evangelist Sunny Okosuns Tuface Idibia, Majek Fashek, Ras Kimono and Fatai Rolling Dollar were equally inducted that historic day. They were inducted on June 2014 at the temporary hall of the National Museum Onikan, Lagos State.
On January 1, 2015, 2 Face Idibia became the latest Nigerian Artiste to be inducted into the Headies Hall of Fame. He was celebrated at the 10th edition of the awards and his award was presented to him by the founder of Silverbird Group, Senator Ben Murray-Bruce. Apart from him, other music legends in the industry were also inducted such as Victor Uwaifo of the Guitar Boy and Mami Water Fame (2014), King Wasiu Ayinde Marshall 1 (2013) (KWAM 1), Femi Kuti 2012, Shina Peters (2011), Jacob Akinyemi Johnson and Grandmaster Lee (2010), Philip Trimnel, founder of Music Africa 2009, Obi Asika and Olisa Adibua 2008, Obi Asika, founder of Storm Records and CEO of Storm Records 360. Back in 2008. The label was home to artistes like Shasha, Naeto C. Darey and Jazzman Olofin.
Others are Eddie Lawani and Senator Ben Bruce 2007, DJ Jimmy Jatt, Keke Ogungbe, Dayo Adeneye (2006) of Primetime Jamz Entertainment, amongst others.
R&B star, Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, has recounted the early-career challenges she faced, revealing that she was once booed out of the stage while performing at a school event.
Speaking in an interview with Newsmen, the Crazy Tings crooner shared that she wasn’t only booed but was also harassed with plastic bottles.
“I remember one time I was going to perform at my school as an up-and-coming singer and I thought I was going to receiving a standing ovation.
“But I got booed. They even threw plastic bottles at me,” she recalled.
Tems explained that despite the embarrassing incident and other such rejections, she remained determined to pursue a career in music.
The Tide Entertainment reports that Tems admitted that some of the initial rejections she faced could be due to her conviction to stick to her originality instead of doing covers or familiar sounds like most of her peers.
The Grammy-winning singer said looking back now, she is glad that she didn’t compromise her style despite the initial pressures.
A close associate of late singer Mohbad, Primeboy, has appealed for the artiste’s burial nearly three years after his death.
According to him, Mohbad’s body remains in the mortuary since September 12, 2023, pending burial arrangements.
The Tide Entertainment reports that in a statement Primeboy urged the family, public, and government to permit the burial, stating, “It’s been almost three years since Mohbad left us. His body is still in the mortuary. I’m begging the family, I’m begging the public, I’m begging the government, please let’s bury our brother. He deserves a befitting burial.”
It would be recalled that Mohbad’s death sparked public outrage, protests, and investigations. Ongoing autopsy examinations, police inquiries, and legal proceedings have delayed burial arrangements amid family disagreements and public scrutiny.