A pop culture illiterate met ‘Baba Nla’ and this was his experience

Who doesn’t know Wizkid in Nigeria and Africa? Who doesn’t know the boy who released a classic Nigerian album in “Superstar”and proceeded to rip out the record books with unlimited hit singles? These days he is in the US, trying to push our music, and getting us all to smile with joy and glow with pride. Who in their honest minds will say they don’t know the young Pablo, who is immortalizing Ojuelegba and Modogg studio? Who haven’t had a taste of Drake’s ‘One Dance’ and Tinie Tempah’s ‘Mamacita’?

At the moment only three things are constant in the Nigerian music industry; Psquare fighting, hungry upcoming artistes, and a Wizkid hit. Three constants of life as we know it in the music industry.

But alas, there are some people who have choosen the dark path, and shunned every layer of pop culture, including a national hero such as Wizkid. These people exist in Lagos, the boiling pot of everything that is good, noble and progressive about the music industry. Yet they choose to abandon the ways of the world, and pursue a very selective brand of illiteracy.

I have met a couple of them. Once I had a conversation with a UK returnee financial analyst in a networking event, and he shared this story:

I once went to Quilox, where I was having a party with some of my friends. We were having a good time, dancing and sharing dirty jokes. All of sudden I feel dizzy, and needed some rest. I found the nearest chair, and dashed for it. Another young man was resting too beside me, and I said ‘hello’ in courtesy.

“Hi how’re you?,” he replied.

“I’m fine. Wild night eh”, yes. I’m just waiting for my manager to finish some business and then we can go home.” He looked visibly tired.

“You mean to say you and your manager at work club together? That’s some nice office culture. Where do you work?” I asked.

There was a puzzled look on his face. “You don’t know me?”

I thought it was rude. I had only just met this stranger, and he expects me to magically know him. Perhaps know his history, and also his mother’s favorite dress.

“Excuse me, I have never met you before, and I can’t remember us being acquainted in any way. Who are you please?”

The perplexed look on his face turned to mild anger, and he said: “You are serious, you don’t know me?

I felt unsafe, and taught I was about to be scammed. I have heard stories of people being ripped off with the ‘familiarization’ technique. This man is a stranger acting like he was entitled to my acquaintance. I have never met him in my life. I felt insecure. So I brought out my phone, and made the threat.

“If you don’t get off me, stranger, I will call security to throw you out. You are making me unsafe.”

The young man was clearly offended and angry now. But I didn’t care. He was trying to scam me. Just then a couple of guys came by and whispered to him that it was time to go. He was still angry, and tried to express it to them.

There was loud music, and he had stood up, so I didn’t hear what he was saying. But they calmed him down, and he followed them out. I simply felt thirsty, and walked back to my crew who were observing the encounter.

“Why did you make Wizkid angry?” one said.

“Wiz….who?” I replied.

“That’s the biggest African musician right now”.

“Oh.” I said. As I reached for the Hennessy and cranberry juice. There were more pressing things on my mind. Like how to get my party back on track, and flush my throat with some alcoholic goodness.

“I don’t know Wizkid, and I don’t f***ing care. Period.”