Cyrus tha Virus has condemned what he termed the lack of diversity of sounds in the works of new generation of Nigerian artists.
The rapper in a series of tweets described the Nigerian music industry as non-existent adding that what was trending in the country was “only Lagos Music Industry”.
He said that all the musical elements that was supposed to form the basis of Nigerian music was lost in the “Lagos sound”, noting that most artists from other parts of the country had ignored the sounds peculiar to their parts for a sound that was peculiar to Lagos.
“The elements that separate Idoma music from Edo music, from Ikwerre music, from Ngwa music is blurred. Lagos is the sound of Nigeria.”
The rapper said that the artists were often in a difficult position to create their own unique sound because of the preference of radio stations in their locality.
“If you take your music and it doesn’t sound “lagos-ey”, chances are it won’t get played. There is no sound versatility in Nigerian anymore.”
He said radio houses often preferred the Lagos sounds compared to their own local sounds.
“But to be honest, Radio stations in other states apart from Lagos, don’t even play their sound, they prefer anything Lagos before their own.”
Cyrus tha Virus claimed that this was the reason why most artists now sounded the same way, adding that they had lost their ability to create creative music.
He argued that what the audience regarded as Nigerian sound was Ghanaian and new wave American music which has recently encroached airwaves of radio stations across the country.
“Nigerian artistes are headlining shows. But Nigerian Music is dying. in Copying Ghana Music, Ghana is infiltrating our radio systematically.”
“The new wave and new vibe yall are hailing is just Nigerian Versions of Trap Music, Bryson Tiller Music,and Juls Ghana Beat Music. What else?”
Cyrus also called out Nigerian DJs, too, saying that they have ignored their role in the evolution of artists.
“Nigerian DJS used to break Out new artistes. Ask your favourite DJ today, who you discovered?Which artiste can you say ONLY you 1st played?”
Lastly, he added that journalists should start asking artists hard-hitting questions instead of focusing on the insignificant parts of their private life.
Read his tweets below:
There is No Nigerian Music industry.
There is only Lagos music industry.
And that's why everything sounds the same, looks the same.— Cyrus Tha Virus (@Cyrus_ThaVirus) October 3, 2017
The elements that separate Idoma music, from Edo music, from Ikwerre music, From Ngwa music is blurred. Lagos is the sound of Nigeria.
— Cyrus Tha Virus (@Cyrus_ThaVirus) October 3, 2017
If you take your music and it doesn't sound "lagos-ey", chances are it won't get played. There is no sound versatility in Nigerian anymore.
— Cyrus Tha Virus (@Cyrus_ThaVirus) October 3, 2017
A Rapper from Kaduna will look for yoruba hooks. A PH singer will be "komole-ing" because that's what it will take to be played in Lagos.
— Cyrus Tha Virus (@Cyrus_ThaVirus) October 3, 2017
But to be honest, Radio stations in other states apart from Lagos, don't even play their sound, they prefer anything Lagos before their own.
— Cyrus Tha Virus (@Cyrus_ThaVirus) October 3, 2017
This same thing happened to the generation before us, they all started to sound alike,they imploded.There was nothing, until plantashun boiz
— Cyrus Tha Virus (@Cyrus_ThaVirus) October 3, 2017
Nigerian Music won't survive the next 5 years as a sound.When was the last time you heard a sound that's EXCITINGLY Nigerian? Can't remember
— Cyrus Tha Virus (@Cyrus_ThaVirus) October 3, 2017
MTVBase used to travel allover Nigeria to get narratives,HipTv used to do it,too. But now,all they do is sit in Lagos. Lagos is now Nigeria.
— Cyrus Tha Virus (@Cyrus_ThaVirus) October 3, 2017
We've all gotten lazy creatively.
Artistes, Journos, Radios, Blogs, DJs.
Nigerian sound is now one very boring Lagos party music extension.— Cyrus Tha Virus (@Cyrus_ThaVirus) October 3, 2017
Nigerian artistes are headlining shows. But Nigerian Music is dying. in Copying Ghana Music, Ghana is infiltrating our radio systematically.
— Cyrus Tha Virus (@Cyrus_ThaVirus) October 3, 2017
I listened to a street mix. It had 6 Nigerian artistes on that Ghana pon pon wave. Ghana has 15 on it. Soon, Ghana will own Nigerian Sound.
— Cyrus Tha Virus (@Cyrus_ThaVirus) October 3, 2017
We'd be lying to ourselves if we say our generation has added any new element to African Music.Only Afrobeat,Fuji,Juju etc.Are our exports.
— Cyrus Tha Virus (@Cyrus_ThaVirus) October 3, 2017
The new wave and new vibe yall are hailing is just Nigerian Versions of Trap Music,Bryson Tiller Music,and Juls Ghana Beat Music. What else?
— Cyrus Tha Virus (@Cyrus_ThaVirus) October 3, 2017