Why January is slow for Nigeria music industry

As expected, there’s been a bit of an anti-climax with the star of 2016. This is in stark contrast to the last quarter of the previous year, where everyone and anyone who had a prayer on their mind, believed they had a shout to give out the next hit.

A total of 30 mainstream albums were let fly in that everyone-is-everything, year. Even the street hop act, Small Doctor, came through with an album for his loving followers who reside in the corners of the mainland, and the hinterland of Ajah, Epe and the lands thereafter.

But this year, it appears the levels of creativity has tanked. Our mainstream acts have nothing to offer yet. There have been negligent levels of recording made public, so also has there been very little music released, and consequently, very few videos.

Only Tiwa Savage who is battling for the success of her “” album, has any concerted effort at music releases. The rest are still biding their sweet time.

Although slightly frustrating to still be rolling in the music from the past year, it is understandable that this is happening.

First, musicians need to take a creative break. They have only just emerged from the festive season, where performance and appearance obligations have run them ragged. So also have the intense promotion of their materials drilled a hole into their pockets. That hole wouldn’t have constituted a concern if record sales were at an all-time high. But thanks to the shady sides of Alaba, and our lax Copyright law enforcement, we have an industry that is dependent on performance fees (or show money), and corporate interventions.

January is also a key planning period for many music houses. I have been privy to many plans by respected record labels, and the planning process is still ongoing as we speak. Chocolate City, with their multitude of talents has a minimum of 20 music videos to shoot this year. Efffizy Music Group, would have to work their socks off to make sure Yemi Alade’s sophomore album, becomes an iconic piece of work to consolidate her Pan-African persona. They also have to make magic come from their new act Geniuzz. YBNL do have a Lil Kesh album to release, Ketchup and the powers at 606 Music have an album in their lap, so does Patoranking and Foston Music.

With all of these plans still coming through, with the fine details currently been developed, analysed, tweaked and fawned over, the music will have to wait a bit more. There’s no point to releasing a record without a plan and support system to make it commercially viable.

January will definitely be dry. We will have to continue on last year’s brilliance.