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The Sunday Platform With Yemi Michael
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There have been bad news on a daily basis in Nigeria. It’s so bad that you might not hear or read about one good news in a Week. It makes me feel sick. Despite the bad news, there are things we should celebrate. One of such things is the introduction of Afrobeats Hall of Fame (ABHF) held on February 26, 2022 at Amore Gardens, off Freedom Way, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, a long-overdue and commendable idea meant to recognize People in the Nigerian Entertainment industry-Performers and non-Performers who have made significant contribution to the sector through music and other entertainment-related things.
Many People including some of our Readers/Subscribers knew just few things about me. Here are some other information about yours truly. My Father is a Juju Musician. He is known as Oluremi Sakadely. He has done reasonably well. I inherit my love for entertainment from him.
I grew up listening to different forms of music-Juju, Fuji, Apala, Rock and Roll, R and B-Rhythm and Blues, Rap, Highlife, Reggae, Ragga (variant of reggae), Country music, Hip hop, Afrobeat and some others. I have worked as a Student Entertainment Writer and Editor for a Magazine and as Artiste Publicist.
My interest in local and international entertainment has grown over the Years. I have at different times wanted an African-originated awards for African entertainment that is globally recognized.
And so when the Afrobeats Hall of Fame was introduced, I was excited. Excited because, I felt, at last, Nigeria where this genre of music originated from realized the need to recognize African entertainment’s contribution to the world. Excited because, many international awards did not really recognize and reward African Entertrainers duly. For instance, Femi Kuti have been nominated for Grammy Award more than Two Times. King Sunny Ade (KSA) has also been nominated. Despite their widely acclaimed musical prowess, they did not win. Even Fela Kuti, the very talented artiste was not recognized. Modern-day artistes like Wizkid won because of the collaboration with Beyonce. Same thing for Burna Boy.
This Article is a tribute to ABHF. Afrobeat is a style of music incorporating elements of African music and jazz, soul and funk.
Typical instruments include: Bass Guitar, Congas, Drums, Guitar, Horns, Hammond Organ, Keyboard, Percussion, Saxophone and Shekere. According to the Organizers: “ABHF is first of its kind in Africa (induction in Africa) created to pay homage and honor African Achievements in music and to showcase the African pride of the entertainment industry. It celebrates the historic and cultural significance of African music by honoring the artistry and the contributions made by those who have played major roles in the dissemination and creation of African music.”
ABHF recognize the outstanding and legendary artistes and contributors who have contributed significantly to African music.
The Vision is to induct African musical legends and honor them in a way that will be engaging, that will teach and inspire other stakeholders.
The Mission is to engage our people through the power of African music. According to Kenny Ogungbe, one of the organizers of the event, the award is aimed at “building a serious level of credibility, respect and acceptance across Africa and the entire world.”
The induction was split into two classes: Performance and non-Performance Categories.
A. The Performance category was further divided into three classes namely:
The Early Influencers: Those recognized in this category are Tunde King, Onitsha Native Orchestra, E.C. Arinze, Victor Olaiya, Mamman Chata and Bobby Benson.
The Mid-Influencers: (1960s-70s) Category: Chief Osita Osadebe, Fela Kuti, Rex Lawson, Fuji Music Maestro, Alhaji Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, KSA, Dan Maraya Jos, Peacock Guitar Band International and Bala Miller.
Modern Influencers (1990s-2000s): 2Baba (Tuface), Onyeka Onwenu, Femi Kuti and Daddy Showkey.
B. Non-Performance Category: Keke (Kenny Ogungbe) and D1 (Dayo Adeneye), Olisa Adibua, Obi Asika, Sunday Are and Eddie Lawani.
C. Lifetime Achievement Awards: Fela Kuti, Toni Odili, KSA, Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey, Sikiru Ayinde Barrister.
D1 in his remark said “we started the game of music before the internet and we introduced Nigeria to the UK musically.”
Barry Jhay, popular artiste and son of late Sikiru Barrister said “we are here to celebrate my father’s life as the Supreme Master of Fuji Music. Sikiru Ayinde was an astute Storyteller who used his music to shape the opinion of life.”
I like the concept behind the initiative. But, there are couple of things I think should be addressed. These Things are stated below:
The Publicity/Awareness was poor. Many People that were supposed to attend/that would have loved to attend the event like me did/could not attend.
I got the information after the event. A lot of people would likely experienced this. There is a need for better publicity through all the possible means-radio, tv, online-email promotion, event press release and offline.
In order to keep track of the conversations on Social Apps such as Twitter, the organizers should use more hashtags (#). They should ensure that the events’ key participants push the event on Social Media and use relevant #.
They should get messages out there through the Press-Newspaper Houses, Bloggers, OAPs-On-Air Personalities and others. They should also have free entry passes. The more, the better.
Many of the big names/contributors in African entertainment were not recognized. Such people include: IK Osakioduwa, Toke Makinwa, Victor Uwaifo, Ayo Animashaun, CEO of Smooth Promotions (Hip Tv and The Headies Awards), Mr. Ben Bruce, Founder of Silverbird Tv and Silverbird Cinema, Don Jazzy and several others.
The Organizers need to get the names and contacts of as many stakeholders/contributors as possible in subsequent event.
This will help create a sense of belonging and the desire to use entertainment to make lasting, good impact.
Finally, they should ask for feedback. They can do this by asking participants to fill a printed evaluation form online. This can also be done offline. They can ask people about the various aspects of the event-logistics, publicity, performance of the organizers and others.
If possible, they should get feedback through social media or record video review at the end of the event. This will be useful during another event.
I hope the organizers will find these few sugestions useful.