Legendary Nigeria disc jockey DJ Jimmy Jatt, production genius Don Jazzy and veteran Nigeria Afro-Pop singer Dr Sid discuss the evolution of Nigerian music to the world over the past two decades.
They discussed the current musical climate in Nigeria, and how the term “Afrobeats” can be problematic. This project is brought to you in collaboration with the British Council and Boiler Room.
Over the past few years, Nigeria music has explode to the international scene with the emergency of D’banj‘s ” Oliver Twist ” that top the UK Billboard Chart to the Wizkid‘s collaborations with the likes of Drake, Septa, Chris Brown, Trey Song, Tinie Tempah and French Montana.
DJ Jimmy Jatt talked about how music was sold on tapes from the back of a truck early in the days, while Don Jazzy further explained how listening to ‘Junior and Pretty’ then signed to Storm records, and Kennis music groups Plantashun boiz and The Remedies influenced and shaped his decision to pursue music as a career.
He narrated how he was opportuned to travel to the United Kingdom, how he got to meet with Nigerian band JJC and 419 squad, D’banj and Dr Sid, and eventually go on to record D’banj’s first album back in Nigeria.
They debate on the genre Afrobeat and if modern day Nigerian artistes are truly practicing Afrobeat as they claim.
“ I think it’s limiting when we begin to generalize our music under Afrobeat,” DJ Jimmy Jatt said, believing that would help Nigerian artistes not be limited in the universal space and contest for nomination in categories like R&B and Hip hop for music awards on a worldwide scale.
They also referenced ‘Oliver twist’ by D’banj as being instrumental to Nigerian music world acceptance. Dr Sid to wrap things up talked about how the music from Africa is the new sound to be reckoned with.