Nigerians Write About How Music Performed By Non-Nigerians Was Very Popular In That Nation Before Afrobeats

Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post presents a compilation of comments about recorded music that was popular in Nigeria before Afrobeats. Many of these comments document that a lot of recorded music in Nigeria prior to Afrobeats was from Congolese, Cameroonian, Ghana, South Africa, and other non-Nigerian and non-African artists. These featured comments are just a few examples of comments on that subject from the discussion thread of a January 2021 YouTube video of a Cameroonian talk show. In that particular edition of that talk show, the host and guests discuss the call that has recently been made by some Cameroonian entertainers to ban or limit Nigerian recorded music in Cameroon. For that reason, most of the comments in this compilation refer to that unofficial call to ban Nigerian recorded music in the Cameroon. The Addendum to this post includes comments from another YouTube discussion thread about the call to ban or limit Nigerian recorded music.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2021/02/should-nigerian-recorded-music-be.html for the closely related pancocojams post entitled "Should Nigerian Recorded Music Be Banned In The Cameroons? (Comments From A January 2021 Online Cameroonian Talk Show)."

The content of this post is presented for historical and socio-cultural purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners. Thanks to all those who are associated with this featured talk show and thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post. -snip- Note that "Afrobeats" is different than "Afrobeat" that is associated with Nigerian singer/ songwriter Fela Kuti. Also, note that Cameroon is located next to the West African nation of Nigeria. Some sources categorize Cameroon as being in West Africa, while other sources categorize that nation as being in Central Africa.
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SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THIS VIDEO'S DISCUSSION THREAD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gX1oSxiZnuQ&t=401s&ab_channel=DcodedTVShow

These comments are given in relative chronological order with the oldest dated comments given first, except for replies. Numbers are added for referencing purposes only.

All of these comments were published between Jan. 18th and Feb. 17, 2021. 

I haven't added any information about the recording artists who are named in these comments. 

1. caligula julius
"@Philip Aloha  Thanks for reminding other Nigerians that other countries dominated africa . Congo ( kinshasa) dominated Africa from the 60s up to 2000s . SOME Nigerians forget that AWILO LONGOMBA a Congolese artist became a phenomenon in Nigeria.

And Nigeria has been dominating africa for the last 15 years.

Congolese dominated africa from 60s to 2000s = more than 40 years."

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2. heads, Feb 2021
"Big up 9ja. 💥💥💥💯!  From the days of  Sonny Okosun, Evi Edna Ogholi,  Onyeka Onwenu, Felix Liberty, Shina Peter's, Kwam 1, Alex O, Danny Wilson, Majek Fashek, Ras kimono,  Oritz Wiliki, to  Eedris Abdul Kareem, Daddy Shokey, Baba Fry O,  Tony Tetuila, Lagbaja,  Rugged man, Azadus, Pasuma, Tuface,  P Square, Style plus, Mode 9, etc etc. We  been recycling for years and never stopped listening to the rhythm and flow of foreign music despite all that. American and European music always been present in 9ja. All genres of world music , from Hip hop to Jamaican reggae and dance hall all had their airwaves in 9ja and we never bothered to kick em out. We loved and played Makosa and music from East, north and Southern Africa when they banged. Ghana music have had their stage in 9ja airwaves too. 9Ja rocked VIP ?... But 9ja continued to dig deep till our sound got heard too.  Shouts out to all our dead legends......shouts out to all our living legends. Big up FELA ANIKULAPO KUTI. Afro beat forever !!. One love Africa !. One Africa. 👍🏾👍🏿💥💥💥"

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3. Presidoe Okuguni
"Papa Wemba, Awilo Logumba, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Lucky Dube, VIP and a lot more non-Nigerian artists were so big in Nigeria to the point that if their songs aren't played in parties then there is no party. Nigerians enjoyed it even when it was in french or other langauges. I think its about acceptance and promotion of local music in collaboration with local artists."...

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Reply
4. Nnamdi Egbuchulam
"How about "a alhaji" from ivory coast. We consume so much of youssou ndor"

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5. ebiekem
"Or Angola's Windeck"

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6. Tosin Fam
"My advice to cameroonian artist is that they should improve  and work on the quality of their music, promotion, branding, management etc Then naturally cameroonian citizen will listen to more of your songs than that of Nigerian music. Trying to play 20% or whatever Nigerian songs in cameroon will not improve anything. There was a time when foreign music including cameroon, Ghana and American music was reigning in Nigeria. We never complained then.But with time and proper planning and management, we created afrobeat, and it took over Africa and the world. So my brothers cameroonian artist have a lot of work to do"

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7. Omo Eledumare
"Nico Mbarga, a Cameroonian “Sweet Mother “ was made popular by Nigerians worldwide,not by Cameroonians. Manu Dibango, a Cameroonian was once a popular giggle in Nigeria. Nigerians still dance till today to Zangalewa by the Golden sounds of Cameroon.Awilologoba, a Congolese,his songs are very much alive in Nigeria,if not more than in his country,Zaire. In fact, Awilo,according to him considered Nigeria as second home. Yvonne Chaka Chaka, a South African was and still an household name in Nigeria. Her songs are still much around and played in Nigeria. Alpha Blondy, an Ivorian was an household name in Nigeria especially in the 70s and 80s. A particular station in Nigeria devoted 6 hours every Saturday playing Sasa, Cuban songs. Nigeria radio stations,every Sunday,in morning plays “ Classical music “ called the masters. The masters is typically European. All these shapes Nigeria music.

I am 53 years old and in my entire life I never heard or seen Nigeria,both old or young agitating or suggesting that a particular music from a particular country or place should be ban or don’t listen to it. Nothing behind that than hate and jealousy. Unfortunately, people with that mindset can never grow. They would continue to crawl. The young man on T-shirt is right all the way. Music is not something you force down people’s throats. Nigerians till today still listen to America r&b. The last time J.Cole was in Nigeria,it was jammed packed. Evidence has shown it’s people who are scared of competition who hides behind banning. I am yet to see someone coming up with evidence that Nigeria banned a particular country’s music from being played in Nigeria. Nollywood is most watched in Africa. Meanwhile, Nigerians watch lots of Indians and Chinese films. The world is big for everyone. Peace.❤
-️snip-
This comment is reformatted to increase its readability. 

The word "giggle" in sentence #2 is probably a typo for "figure", i.e "Manu Dibango, a Cameroonian was once a popular figure in Nigeria.".

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Reply
8. Government Nwankwo
"Nico, was half Nigerian his mother is from Nigeria and he lived in Nigeria."

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Reply
9. Omo Eledumare
"@Government Nwankwo I know that. In most African societies,a man’s origin is linked to the father,not the Mother. Manu Dibango and Zangelewa by the Golden sounds of Cameroon were also hits in Nigeria at some point."

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10. Omo Eledumare
"I am 53, born and raised in Nigeria. I am yet to see any evidence of Nigerians banned any music from any country. It has never happened. Nigeria was and still melting pot of global music. Awilologoba,A Congolese is has popular in Nigeria like any Nigerian artist till date. Yvonne Chaka Chaka,a South African. Her music is as popular in Nigeria like in South Africa,if not more. Nigerians still dance to Zangelewa by the Golden sounds of Cameroon. Nigerians still listen to American pop. J. Cole concert in Nigeria was sold out in minutes. It’s only people who lacked confidence and scared of competition would be thinking of banning. Despite Nigerian’s Nollywood success, Nigerians in millions still watch both Chinese,Indian and South American films. All these shaped Nigeria music."

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11. Favoulites
"Earlier 2000s in Nigeria clubs and parties, western music was the thing. Then guys like 2 Face, D'Banj, P-Square came through with improved content and within 5 years, everyone did not need western music anymore. Its a free market Cameroon, improve your sound and it will definitely sell itself organically"

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12. Kele Buay
..."I grew up listening to Bob Marley Lucky Dube, Alpha blondy Eric Donaldson, Peti Payes Marian Macceba Cezar Evoria  Koffi Olomide, Awilo Some Ghanaian artist that I don't even know their names, I can go on and on , I never thought for once what country they came from"...

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13. sky T
@Patrick Akhere Matthew even in 2002, there was a collaboration between Nigerian music industry and Ghana music industry where the likes of Tictac and Tony Tetuila collaborated to give us FEFE NE FE. The likes of Tictac and VIP, Mzbel and Bollie all had their music getting into Nigerian music industry. During the collaborations between Nigeria and Ghana, Nigeria broke into the Ghana music industry and since then, Nigeria music has been influencing Ghana music since 2004. Also Ghana music is also influencing Nigerian artistes. Now some Nigerian musicians add some twi in their songs.

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14. Sunday Uwem
"Is nice to hear 1 of ur guest talked about makoso in d 70s, 80s n 90s makosa from cameroon was all over  Nigeria. Our Entertainment industry has gone through a lot of changes n development. There was a time that when u go to clubs all u hear is foreign music but today is different.

We don't fight anyone but just grow ourself"

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15. legalize pidgin
"Makosa was huge in the 90's/00, Nigerians never complained"

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16. Fa Fa
"... So true. Makosa literally diluted every Nigerian music genres: juju, fuji, gospel etc back then."

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17. Johnny Breezi
"People forget that Awilo Logomba was at some point bigger in Nigeria than any Nigerian artist"

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18. Osaye Okungbowa
"In the 1990s, there a certain Mbila Belle from Country, her songs were popular in Nigeria and no one complained.

Nigerians don't care where the music come from, if the music is good we will listen."
-snip-
"Country" is a typo for "Congo" (Democratic Republic of  the Congo-Kinshasha) 

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19. chinwe ezeilo
"The title attracted me here...My candid advice, don't start a war you cannot win... If you have better sounds and productions and of course the market, Nigerians will listen to your music. Nigerians in the 70's , 80's and 90's listened to Cameroonian music with joy. I remember Prince Nico Mbarga, Makossa, soukous and co. These songs dominated our airwaves until Nigeria developed its own sounds...

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20. Abdulbasit Abdulsalam
"I'm Nigerian, big ups to you all. However just like every other Nigerian in the comments section, if Cameroon brings out a song that we Nigerians can vibe to, trust me we will vibe to it. Remember in 2019, a certain Ugandan song called "Parte after Parte" blew up in Nigeria and is still a club banger in Nigeria. No hate baby, just do better!"

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21. Ibrahim Salisu
"Back in the days, we Nigerians woship foreign artists too in our shows and events. Likes of Usha, R Kelly, Chrisbrown and lots of them have been the stars in our shows and events. Not untill nigerian artists understood what the people want, and also learnt from the foreign artists, learn from Nigeria, stick to your originality, your  people will definately appreciate your good works."

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22. Joshua Sunday
"Cameroon Artists should put in more work. Diamond platnumz is Tanzanian and as Nigerian I love his music. He collaborated with lots of Nigerian artist. Remember when Awilo, Koffi olomide, Brenda Fassil, etc, we Nigerians love their sound back then. Let’s spread love amongst ourselves we are one Africa. 🇳🇬🇳🇬🇳🇬🇳🇬🇳🇬🇳🇬🇳🇬"

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23. mustafa ali
"Good market sells it self all I know. I'm Nigeria I listen to any music from any country despite not understanding the language. I remember when.Awilo Locomba .bob marley. lucky dubey shaggy chris brown etc.. back days when I was kid music is part of life happiness no one should tell me what to do that makes my life happy Nigeria music is viral now some part of the world is part of your hardworking artist Cameron not hating on each other African.is not the matter Try hard motivate your spirit challenge ur fellow pertner.practice make u perfect we Nigerian love challenge and motivational spirit hot blood.only Cameron artist I know is only DJ Arafat which i have some of his song RIP legend."

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24. Manis Themeasure
"There was a time in Nigeria when Cameroonian music, Ghanaian, Congo music where played everywhere in Nigeria, even to the detriment of Nigerian music. At that time, we had Fela as the single internationally recognized artist. Most of our artists back then were, for the most part, only popular amongst their respective tribes. Today, Nigerians have managed to cut out a niche in the music industry and are doing very well both at home and internationally. Cameroon just has to figure out how to monetize and promote their products, that’s all it’s all about. And then there should be laws that regulate how much of local music should be played on the airwaves. We do that with individual artists. We play certain artists more than others on the radios, depending on the ones you want to promote. As one of the panelists there said, most of what sticks to us is conditioning. Sometimes you have to condition your fans to stick to us."

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25. Etin Yabo
"Awilo Logomba, Lucky Dube,  Brenda Fassie,  Angelique Kidjo,  and a host of other musicians are among African talents that has ruled the airwaves in Nigeria . A good music sells itself  you don't listen to music because of who made it, you listen to music as it appeals to your sense of appreciation. I have not heard Africans complain of American music dominating the airwaves …. this is just shameful that our African relative is pulling another down because of envy. Nigerian music is recognized all over the world so you listen you don't listen  I doubt Nigerians will notice."

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ADDENDUM: SELECTED COMMENTS
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgISZ2rkXro&ab_channel=AjimMaczy

1. cynthia sugar girl
"There was a time Nigerians dont play Nigeria music,

but America songs alone in everywhere you go in Nigeria, today we enjoy playing our artists song in everywhere we are in the world

 please my fellow brothers in Cameroon be patient ur glory will soon come

Hardworking brings  good results

Of course yes, you are right because I can attest to that fact that, Nigerians also face the same problem but, the difference is,  our artist never call Nigerians to boycott Congolese music, South Africa music, US music, Jamaica music etc. Our artist were actually copying this genre of these country  music and people don't just fancy it, because the feel the originality is not there, and the original from these countries they were busy copying is better than what our local artist were doing."

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Reply
2. Cyman d'creator
"You are wrong dear , maybe only in your area , my area from day 1 is Fuji music and our Afro"

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3. EfemzyEkun
"@Cyman d'creator 🤣🤣🤣✅...she is actually referring to those who love English, pop, rap genre."

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4. Prince Aghamiogie
"@Cyman d'creator those days only the adult love Fuji. When we growing up, we love the likes of Jackson five, Michael, lake side, rick James and many more. "

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5. Emmanuel
"Awilo was so massive in Nigeria, his music was more played than the national Anthem. We did not hate, we have great love for all good music in Nigeria. Jerusalema, khona, etc are massive songs here."

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6. Oge Marony
"@Emmanuel awilo used to sell out 40-50k stadiums star mega jam and the rest."

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7. Ugoaustin TV
"I remember when we Nigerians always playing American , Cameroonian and Congolese music like Macosa and awilo longomba.

My Cameroonian brethren, please try and rediscover your music again and many countries we start playing them again, no hard feelings, instead of being Jealous or bitter about Nigeria Hard works"

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8. Terwase Gusha
..."infact in 80s and early 90s there's no party in Nigeria without Makosa then we don't have top musicians, but today we have so many of them. musicians like Blender,50 cent ,Chaka chaka and Awilo logonba was once invited to play in Nigeria We don't have time for this, what we Nigerian think is Africa to the world. Weather they listen or not, two hundred million in population is enough for us to sale our music."

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9. Joseph Abah
"Please I will like to meet you bro. I'm a Nigerian and live in Abuja. You just spoke the bitter truth and I can feel the love you harbour for your country entertainers  to get to that level with their originality. 

But, with time the trend change when Remedies, plantshun boys, marvellous Benji, African China , Danfo Drivers, Zulezu ,trybesmen, etc came up with what Nigerians can relate to, that genesis itself lay the foundation for Afrobeat and Afropop for the next guys like P-square, 2face, Dbanj, Olu maintain, Styple plus, Naeto C, Biggiano, Kelly handsome, Nomoreloss to build on, then followed by another generation like Davido, Wizkid, Tiwa savage, Yemi Alade, Olamide, Kiss Daniel, Runtown, Mr. Eazi, Tekno, patoranking, Burna Boy, and followed by the new school artist like Joeboy, Fireboy, Omah Lay,  Olakira, Johnny Drile, Rema, etc.

Cameroonians should not boycott our music they should encourage their artist to change the trend and do what the people like and understand just like my brother here has said. "

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