Entertainment

How Afro Beat Revolutionalised Nigerian Music Culture

Published

10 years ago

August 26, 2016

The 90s were an amazing time in the landscape of music. The incredible wave of Hip-Hop that took shape in the late 80s continued to build into a tidal wave bringing RnB and Funk along for the ride. Reggae, was taking the world by storm like no other global music import in decades and became the fuel for a conscious uprising.

Highlife was developing a life of it’s own in Africa alongside Fela’s outspoken musical jambalaya that moved the people in the 80’s. All of this swirl of creative brilliance was contributing to the movement we know today as Afrobeats. Some of the best and most beloved musicians of the time from across the globe were pushing the boundaries, creating innovative, revolutionary music that would be just as powerful over Twenty years later.

Reggae, born decades ago in 60’s Jamaica, was a crowd favourite, continuing to grow in influence. The genre, named for the 1968 song “Do the Reggay” by toots and Maytals, combined jazz, rhythm and blues, African music, Calypso and traditional mento- a type of rural folk music, producing a hip, Chill Sound and Vibe. Early Reggae legends were musicians such as Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and Jimmy Cliff. They left the songs “No Woman No Cry”, ‘One Love and ‘You can Get it if you Really Want’, paving the way for legions of musicians that would come after them.

The 90s saw new masters of the genre. “Boombastic’ by Shaggy, ‘I can’t Help falling in love With You by UB40, ‘Shy Guy’ by Diana King, ‘Murderer’ by Buju were tremendous successes, becoming modern classics. But Reggae was more than just music, it was culture too. The Language, fashion, sound and Rastafarian religion invaded society. Everywhere black, red, yellow and green clothing and wool hats became instantly recognizable.

The 90s were also undeniably great time for the Rap genre. The late 80s and the early 90s were largely considered the golden age of Hip-Hop. Rap artistes such as LL Cool J, and Run DMC C, Ice and Ice Cube, known as the top Iyricists of the genre were at the peak of their game. In underground spheres, the beginnings of the Gangsta Rap Sub genre was being developed. And who can forget the infamous West Coast and East Coast Rivalry which culminated in the deaths of two of the best and most revered rappers in history. Tupac Shakur and Notorious BIG? Both Rappers created their hit songs ‘California Love’, ‘Dear Mama’, ‘Mo Money Mo Problems’ and ‘Notorious B.I.G’ during that time, inspiring dozens of future rappers with their music.

Back in Nigeria, the sound and swing of Highlife was thriving. Oliver De Coque in particular is remembered as an exceptional musician without par.

Infinitely talented, Oliver de Coque is one of the most popular and productive Highlife musicians till date, recording over 73 albums, including the songs “No More War, ‘Tolerance’ and ‘Identity’, His music style was joyous, blending Highlife with traditional Igbo music, painting pictures of affluence that people could relate or aspire to. Quintessential Juju Music Singer, Shina Peters and his band ‘Sir Shina Peters and his International Stars’ lit up the scene as well. A King of Juju Music, Shina Peters took things a step further, combing the genres of Afrobeat and Juju to create a brand new sub genre of Afro Juju which he drove so successfully that ‘Shinamania’, as it was referred to in the press, took over the people.

Not a lot of female musicians graced the scene but Onyeka Onwenu more than represented women everywhere. Beautiful, articulate and talented Onyeka Onwenu or the Elegant Stallion, as she was sometimes called-begain as a secular singer, releasing some of the best songs of the day such as “iyogogo’, before shifting to Gospel and Inspirational music that focused on social issues like AIDs and female rights. Decades later, she is still regarded as one of the greatest of her generation. In 1997, technology took a big leap forward with the emergence of the Mp3 player. The first successful Mp3 player was produced, changing and significantly upgrading how music would be listened to from that point onwards. With that the magnificent 90’s inevitably came to an end but even better was on the horizon. Out of magnificent 90’s and in with the grand 2000’s.

Entertainment

Why Fans No Longer Faint For Musicians – Paul Okoye

Published

2 days ago

October 30, 2026

The Tide

Nigerian singer and half of the defunct P-Square duo, Paul Okoye, aka Rudeboy, has claimed that social media has reduced the prestige and value fans attached to musicians due to the mystique that artistes had before the era of social media.
Speaking in a recent interview with Lun Lifestyle TV, Rudeboy argued that social media, despite all its benefits, has shattered the illusion of artistes being mysterious and godlike.
This he said has reduced the buzz artistes previously enjoyed whenever their fans got the opportunity to see them whether physically or visually.
The ‘Reason With Me’ crooner explained that because artistes are no longer mysterious, fans are no longer eager to watch them in music videos.
He claimed that shooting music videos is now a waste of money.
Rudeboy said, “Music videos somehow now, because of this generation, is a waste of money. I am sorry to say this. But do you remember us [P-Square] before? You don’t see us anywhere. You just watch music videos, you see us and that’s it, or we come to your country, you see us.
“The reason you don’t see people faint for artistes anymore is because they see them on TikTok every day dancing and promoting your music. If Michael Jackson was alive now and doing promotional content on social media, nobody would see him and faint.
“Unfortunately, it’s too late for us to bring back the era of artistes being mystiques. How can you advise an artiste to post every day? How? Post what? You don’t need to.
“Social media brought positive change to the industry but it also led to ‘see-finish.’ Artistes are now too exposed. Fans see how they eat, cry. Before when artistes go to club, they stay in restricted VIP areas, but now when they are clubbing, everyone is filming.”

Entertainment

Davido’s Aide Offers Cash Reward For Missing Phone At Zlatan’s Wedding

Published

2 days ago

October 30, 2026

The Tide

Afrobeats superstar, Davido’s aide, Damilare Aladegbola, popularly known as Dre, has offered a cash reward to whoever returns his phone, which he claims went missing during rapper Zlatan Ibile’s wedding ceremony.
Dre made the appeal in a post on his Instagram page on Monday, pleading with the person who allegedly took the device to return it in exchange for money.
“If na u carry my phone for Zlatan wedding, abeg return am, I go give you money please,” he wrote.
The aide also expressed frustration over what he suggested was a method being used to take phones at social gatherings.
He said he would no longer tolerate waiters asking whether guests had finished eating so they could clear their plates, alleging that the practice could provide an opportunity for phones left on tables to be taken.
“From now on, if I go any party or dey any party and any stupid waitress tell me say are you done eating so I can pack your plate, na swear I go swear for you cause na pattern wey una dey use pack phone for table be that now,” he added.
However, Dre did not identify anyone suspected of taking his phone or provide further details about how the device went missing.
Zlatan Ibile tied the knot with his longtime partner, Davita Lamai, during a traditional wedding ceremony on Saturday, October 24, 2026.
The ceremony, held in Lagos, attracted several celebrities, fans and well-wishers, with Davido among the prominent guests and leading the groomsmen.

Entertainment

I Ran Away From Nigeria, Never Wanted To Come Back-Chidinma

Published

2 days ago

October 30, 2026

The Tide

Popular singer, Chidinma Ekile has revealed that before transitioning from secular music to the gospel genre, she “ran away” from Nigeria.
Speaking at a recent Eezee Conceptz event, Chidinma explained that she travelled abroad and wanted to secure permanent residency because she didn’t want to return to Nigeria, but failed.
She revealed that while she was abroad, the CEO of Eezee Conceptz was the only person calling her from Nigeria, so she decided to work with him upon her return.
“I travelled. I ran away from Nigeria. I was processing my papers not to come back to Nigeria, but for some reason, it didn’t work.
“While I was abroad, the CEO of Eezee Conceptz was the only one who was calling me from Nigeria. He kept encouraging me, and I found the strength to come back to Nigeria. When I came back, I asked him to give me a gospel music contract because I want to spend time with God. And he gave me a contract that even my lawyer said seemed like a charity,” Chidinma stated.
The music star added that she did not transition into gospel music because she wanted to make gospel, but because she wanted a serious relationship with God.