Piracy; bane of music industry
By Bamidele Kolawole
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An Akure-based gospel and folks artiste Kayode Animasaun popularly known as Jeje Rhythms, has said that piracy has harmed music industry in Nigeria beyond remedy.
In this interview with Friday Extravaganza he speaks on his journey in the industry and how he is ensuring that his music career does not interfere with his marriage.
He noted that government should be responsive to the calls of professionals over the years on the need for it to fight piracy. Instead those perpetrating such criminal act are growing wings by the day.
The artiste stated that copyright laws are not enforced. “That was why many musicians accusing others of stealing their piece and instead of them to condemn such act, they will say the claimant should not bother.” He expressed.
In his words, things are changing, many musicians market their songs by themselves, some take them to churches for sales. Saying It is as bad as that. But by and large , technology, social media have changed things now. Musicians don’t trust marketers so they prefer doing online marketing .
Jeje Rhythms who hails from Osun State said that government should takes responsibility and see entertainment as a source of job creation and revenue generation.
The graduate of Mass communication, Osun State Polytechnic ,Iree said that he has been singing for 16 years saying that people knew about him in the year 2013 when he came out with Odun Keresi, Ami Ese and Ariya Repete.
He noted that he was not chosen music as a career. He chose Journalism based on his educational background. Added that music became something he found joy doing.
“It got to a stage I was feeling bad and uncomfortable each time I realised I was not doing enough to build on the love I have for music.
“Precisely in 2003, I started writing songs for myself. Everything around me became inspiration that before 2008, I had written more than 40 songs. When I had challenges recording my lyrics, I used the stipend (#10,000) given me as an IT student by ITF to buy a professional Tape Recorder to aid my music writing then so as not to forget the tunes of the inspirations.
“I immediately enrolled myself at a music school in Akure. It was then I was exposed to what real music training is all about. It was there I had a little knowledge about playing guitar. Though after few years ,I dropped out of the school because of journalism work, yet the music school made me.
As far as I am concerned ,journalism is the real career while music is gathering momentum gradually because my songs have been generally accepted everywhere.
“I then spoke to myself that music was beyond talent. It also involved knowledge and thorough training. In 2008, I had this push to enter studio for recording but I was shocked with what I met at the studio.
“If I don’t sing ,I am still wondering what would have made me to be fulfilled.
“So far, I have not been charging for performance. Places that I have performed were based on the willingness to show my stuff.
“Similarly , I have rejected to perform in many events because they didn’t fall in line with my vision in music.
“I have been trying to come up with a team that will religiously believe in my kind of music but its not working out yet because of various financial challenges.
Jeje Rhythms mentioned some of his mentors, said he had not met some of them, but he became their diehard fan because despite a lot of rots in the music industry, they still dish out good music saying that they inspire everyday, even till this moment.
he said that they include Bisade Ologunde, aka Lagbaja, Segun Akinlolu, aka Beautiful Nubia, Bukola Elemide aka Asa and Jesse King aka Buga.
According to him, all veterans in the industry ,especially in High life music are my mentors. I can’t start mentioning names .”
He mentioned some of challenged he encountered since he started to include the issue of finance, l saying having ideas, but no money to execute, is a big issue.
According to him those challenges will be things of the past because music is about feelings and passion.
He noted that his vision is to perform at corporate gatherings, public functions but not burials.
He stated that he could perform in weddings but will be a short performance that will be a kind of take home to those present.
According to him, his aim is to be a musician of reference. Saying he want all his songs to be a point of reference to people at a particular time.
He said that he want to perform with legends in highlife music and to perform at international stages and want to be among top artistes.
He advised all the artistes to be focused, disciplined , determined as well as developing good attitude towards the development of their talent .
“I can allow my children to sing if they choose to go that path. In fact my wife sings and will be coming out with her project very soon, he said.
