These 10 contemporary Nigerian musicians have existed before as older legendary artists

We love to think that everything that happens in the music industry is new. That it came from a place of genius-level creativity. We are not wrong. The music we are currently consuming, and the musicians that make them are new creations, designed through years of hardwork and planning to get to this level of success.

But the influences that they consumed as raw material to make the art are not new. And although the artists would hate to admit this to you, they are in one way or another knock-offs or refined versions of older artists.

How many times have you found parallels in the careers and artistry of new artists with that of the older icons in niche markets?

These parallels are there for a reason. These generation of artists grew up listening and perfecting their craft by watching, listening and studying the works of various artists. These influences are what make up the sum of the younger artist.

D’banj and Sir Shina Peters

D’banj is one of our biggest stars but his career, performance, and the musical composition is well-tailored after Shina Peters. A maverick to the core both D’banj and Sir Shina Peters share so much in terms of the size of their celebrity at their prime and the success of their records. Where D’banj once made music by playing within various genres to create hit records, Peters did the same. His album, ‘Ace’, produced by Laolu Akins is a musical fusion between Juju and Afrobeat; a rhythmic collaboration which pierced Ethnic, Cultural and language barriers in Nigeria. Afro juju musical style mixes fast percussive beat with the use of electronic keyboards, saxophone and guitar. Some of the lyrics in the album especially in 'Ijo Shina' were quite racy for the period. D’banj has done the same, although right now he is more focused on other aspects of business.

Tekno and Bright Chimezie

Who has seen Tekno and not considered him a younger version of Bright Chimezie. Both from the East, Tekno and Bright Chimezie not only share complexion, they possess the same lyrical composition skills, using the most hilarious songwriting skills, exquisite dancing and handsomeness to conquer. This hilarity range from love to social issues. Tekno just began to experiment with conscious music. His ‘Rara’ single, when taken down the years, will be straight out of Chimezie’s handbook. But the most striking correlation between both acts aren’t even down to them. It’s the woman-charmer quality that they both have. Bright Chimezie was a woman magnet, and that quality manifests in Tekno.

Adekunle Gold and Chief Ebenezer Obey

We all know that Adekunle Gold isn’t playing on something original. He is hacking it with heavy influences from the masters of Yoruba Highlife. But when you narrow it down, it comes down to Chief Ebenezer Obey, whose music and style and composition heavily influences the sound. The great positive and educational messages and lessons in Adekunle Gold’s music is straight out of Obey’s style.

Terry Apala and Pasuma Wonder

Terry Apala is still on the come-up, but his style of music is conceptual. It relies heavily on fusing the traditional Apala delivery into Hip-hop and Trap music. And so far he has had relative success with it. But you can still draw parallels between Terry and the Fuji legend,  Wasiu Alabi Pasuma aka ‘Oganla’. The duo possess electric delivery in Yoruba which doesn’t float over the instrumental, but attacks it. It’s a delivery that they have both perfected. On voice texture, they possess uncanny similarities too.

Yemi Alade and Stella Monye

While Yemi Alade has assumed a greater mantle by branding herself as ‘Mama Africa’, the truth in her brand and music is actually closer home. Yemi Alade is Stella Monye, only younger. With over 3 decades in the business, Stella Monye’s primary goal has been to raise Nigerian music, and push it out in a better light by creating music with a greater appeal.

Yemi Alade’s is happening right before us all, but the key relation between both artists is in the vocals. Yemi Alade and Stella Monye utilize their voices as primary instruments, while a core African beat acts an accessory. The subject matter is the same; love. Yemi Alade and Monye treat it as a necessity, and wholesomely chase it eulogize it and benefit from it.

And then there’s their outfits. Yemi Alade and Stella Monye, proudly rock African print, and have inculcated it into their brand.

Flavour and Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe

Flavour is straight up Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe. Flavour’s highlife, which has been his signature genre has elements drawn from all over the man’s discography. Highlife is the bedrock of Igbo music, the foundation of their recording prowess, and performance skill. And Flavour excels in it. From music arrangements to performances.

Seun Kuti and Fela Kuti

The great Abami Eda deserves the highest respect for all that he achieved in his lifetime. And his shoes are rather large and difficult to fill. No one can lay claim to his throne, neither can anyone attempt to replicate his success. But by a long stretch his son, Seun Kuti is the closest to fill those shoes. Seun embodies Fela’s spirit. He makes protest music, and delivers Afrocentric and protest records. And when he performs, it’s like watching Fela again, only this time, it’s his offspring.

Wizkid and Adewale Ayuba

You could find a lot of what is happening to Wizkid worked out for Adewale Ayuba too. Both were child musicians, who chased music from an early age. They both rose rapidly in their respective genres. Where the older one embraced Fuji, the other was a sponge, soaking and utilizing fusion genres to nake pop music.

In early 1990, Ayuba was signed on by Sony Music (Nigerian) to record an album, Bubble. Bubble released in 1991, brought Ayuba into international prominence. For the first time in history, a Fuji Music album dominated the scene, topping musical charts for six consecutive months, winning multiple awards at the Nigerian Music Awards, (NMA). It bagged Ayuba the coveted Artiste of the Year Awards, Including the Album of the Year Award, Song of the Year Award and Best Fuji Album of the Year Award-four in all. It sold beyond expectations and made Ayuba a mega-star artiste. With the success of Bubble, it become obvious that Ayuba had hit the pinnacle of his career in Nigeria.

Think about Wizkid and his Sony deal. His collaboration with Drake has brought him immense success and recognition. All that is left is for him to push through with an album.

And then there’s their delivery. They both possess hi-tech instrumentation from great producers, and use their distinct voices to create amazing music.

Mike Okri and Kcee

Mike Okri and Kcee are a long stretch. But seeing how they both stand out, and the similarities of their personalities, you would agree that somehow, these two performers are linked. First the fashion. Okri and Kcee are literally cut from the same cloth. Fashionable, edgy and always possessing colour. Kcee and Mike Okri also share a propensity for dancing. And as for the music, love is mostly what they sang about. Thematically, if they were both to do a song together, they would be a perfect fit for each other.

Brymo and Majek Fashek

These two acts would hate to admit it, but Brymo and Majek Fashek are similar in music, and aspects of lifestyle. They both make conscious music, which is both melodic and possess a bounce that can be danced to. And they are fiercely independent. Brymo once rebelled against Chocolate City in 2013, and he got the freedom to chase the genre of music that he appreciates. Majek on the other hand, has a long history of rebellion against bands and label structures, and at each point, he made evergreen music that has outlived him. Both are hermit-mavericks, with a strong creative streak that is both spiritual and immersive.