Entertainment
How Afro Beat Revolutionalised Nigerian Music Culture
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
“French Up Your Career” PH, 2025 :Consul General Of France Harps On Proficiency In French
The Consul, General of France in Nigeria, Laurent Favier has encouraged French Learners to improve their skills on the language, as there are lots of opportunities up for grabs on the job market with fluency in French Language, saying that there are many other career paths which are often less well known to learners of French.
Participants at the “French Up Your Career” event held in Port Harcourt.
Favier who disclosed this during the just concluded third edition of the seminar tagged “French Up Your Career” organized by Alliance
Française, Port Harcourt explained that learning French doesn’t mean adding a language to your resume. It rather provides learners with new opportunities. Irrespective of their area of interest, be it diplomatic and International relations, international development, translation and Interpretation or journalism.
According to the Consul General, it was important to create awareness for young Nigerians in Port Harcourt who desire to have better understanding of how been fluent in French can create diverse career opportunities for users of the languages in Nigeria and the world at large, emphasizing that proficiency in French could possibly make learner a bridge between Nigeria and fast-developing regions.
“You previously heard this morning about how you can improve your French skills. This afternoon you will discover how being fluent in French can provide a significant edge on the job market and lead to professional careers that you may not have even considered before,”
“This event comes at the right time, as it launches the celebration of the richness and diversity of French-speaking cultures, which will mobilize us for more than a month throughout Nigeria and alongside other French-speaking countries,” Favier added.
He further highlighted that French is spoken by over 300 million people across the world, saying that, it’s one of the official languages of the United Nations, the European Union, and the African Union.
“There are many neighbouring African countries to Nigeria ,who have French as one of their primary languages of communication including Cameroon, Chad, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. So, what does this mean for you as students here in Nigeria?” He asked
“These sectors in which the French Embassy is often mobilized are the business and marketing field for example, as French is often the preferred language in many multinational companies, particularly those in the energy, oil and telecommunications sectors. I’m thinking as well in technology and IT,” he said
He noted that French-speaking countries in Africa are investing heavily in tech, innovation, and infrastructure, revealing that companies in Tech are looking for bilingual professionals to assist with software localization, customer support, and managing projects in French-speaking regions.
“The French embassy is not only mobilized to help learners discover promising sectors. We are also providing our support and expertise in
training teachers and optimizing university programs,” he summed up
Also, the linguistics cooperation attaché, French Embassy in Nigeria, Magaly Losange, who also gave a lecture at the seminar, in an interview with Newsmen said that the main purpose of the seminar was to be more informative and supportive to those who want to make a skill out of French Language,saying that as the linguistics cooperation attaché of the French Embassy it is her duty to promote French language through culture.
She cited traditional stereotypes as a major challenge affecting the growth and development of French in Nigeria, as school, teachers at the primary and secondary level in most cases teach French using the traditional way, where students learn French, but could not put words and grammar together as a skill for communicate.
“French is important. I don’t see French as colonization, l see French as a key to embrace globalization, l hope that learners will be inspired and ready to embrace the global village,” Losange said.
She however said that the French Embassy is working to ensure that equipments to facilitate the learning of French is put in place to enable learners improve their skills fast, which in two to three years learners should be able to communicate with French, advising learners to be intentional with learning the language, through social media and other workable devices to advance their skills for certification and better opportunities.
Highlight of the event which had about 250 participants in attendance was the eloquence award ceremony where students were awarded for their eloquence in French language by the Director, Alliance Française Port Harcourt, Mrs.Marina Lacal alongside the Linguistics cooperation attaché of the French Embassy in Nigeria, Magaly Losange.
After two edition of the seminar it was the turn of the Alliance Française, Port Harcourt to host the Third edition.
It would be recalled that the first edition of ” “French Up Your Career” event was organized at the Alliance Française Lagos on October 23, the second one at UNILAG on November 24, 2024 respectfully.
Popular Nigerian comedienne, Tomama has revealed how she waited for Afrobeats superstar, Wizkid outside the bathroom.
She shared this while recounting her encounter with the singer at a recent event with heavy security.
In a video posted on her Instagram page, Tomama explained that she waited by the bathroom in an attempt to have a one-on-one conversation with Wizkid.
She stated that she positioned herself near the restroom, hoping Wizkid would eventually use it, giving her the perfect opportunity to speak with him.
“Wizkid, I saw you, and I waited for you to pee, but you didn’t even stand up from where you were sitting. You just stayed there. All your crew members standing around got up to go pee. I was standing by the bathroom, waiting for you to come pee so that you would notice me,” she said.
Content creator and actor, Mr Macaroni has opened up about his financial struggles, saying he was both a victim of a scam and a failed investment in 2021.
He revealed that after losing all his savings, he resorted to borrowing to settle pending commitments and slipped into N500 million in debt.
He admitted that he is financially reckless and generous, impacting his financial stability negatively.
In lengthy post shared via his X handle yesterday, Mr Macaroni wrote, “Sometime around 2020/2022, I was a victim of a scam and simultaneously a failed investment that cost me all I had saved at the time. It shook me deeply but I told no one about it. If you know me well enough, you would know I do not like to share my problems. I could be going through the worst and at the same time helping others solve their own problems but I just would never share mine.”
“After I lost all the money I had then, Trouble started when I had to borrow money from different sources to settle all pending commitments and also fulfill certain responsibilities I have always believed were mine to fulfill. I make money in millions so I never thought borrowing money to pay back with interest could ever be a problem. But I got too comfortable and it took me a long time to realise that I was using the money I was earning to pay back interests. Also, my financial recklessness did not help. Please don’t borrow money! But if you must, please be responsible.”
The actor stated that 2024 marked a pivotal moment in his acting career but it was also the most challenging year for him as he faced over half a billion naira in debt.
Mr Macaroni revealed that his frustration grew worse after he was betrayed by someone he considered “a friend and sister.”
He added that with the support of family and friends who stood by him during his trying times, he now “feels better than I have felt in the last three years!”
The comedian stated that he decided to finally share his story to encourage others who are going through challenges.