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From Asake to Fireboy:  How OAU graduates are conquering, dominating the Nigerian music scene

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By David Adebayo

If anybody needs to introduce music sensation, Asake, to anyone by now, it’s most likely the person has not been following happenings in the movie industry. It’s practically impossible for one to have missed the music wave that has hit the Nigerian scene since the turn of the year.

But there is a current dominance on the music scene by graduates of the world-class Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU),  Ile-Ife in Osun State as their breakthroughs in the last few years could not be ignored by anyone who pays attention to the music industry.

With blistering pace, Asake has jumped about three to four steps on the music ladder, moving right from the bottom to the very top, making him the heavy favorites of bookmakers for every eligible category by the time award shows start to roll in.

 

Asake

 

Debuts don’t get better than ‘Mr Money With The Vibe’

Great runs have now become a feature of the Nigerian music industry. When in the form of their life, an artiste goes on a musical run, dropping hit after hit, dominating charts and airwaves, just as a footballer (Haaland should come to your mind now) nets in consecutive matches, until the gas runs out.

In recent times, Naira Marley had such a run in 2019, Omah Lay in 2020 and this is 2022, it’s Asake on everybody’s lips. He climaxed his blistering start to the year with an album that answered all the questions surrounding his impressive run which comprised about seven singles.

On his maiden studio album, the YBNL/Empire recruit clears doubts about his versatility – an aspect many critics felt was missing in his pre-album singles.

Opening the album with Dull, he makes an appeal to the elders to allow him to stay on top of the world, while making a promise that he would maximize the opportunity he’s been given.

Acknowledging the elders is typical of culture-conscious singers, something customary for someone like Qdot or a regular Fuji singer. The opening track sets the tone for the thematic structure of the album – Asake is conscious of his background, humble enough to acknowledge the elders and OGAs, but self-aware to hold his ground and embrace his greatness.

All through the album, Asake balances feel-good music with slang and philosophical thoughts, touching sensitive issues concerning life, hustle, success, religion, upbringing, aspirations and his belief system. He was careful to throw snippets of his life (experience) across the album, just enough to relate to but maintain the mystery about his person.

Amapiano may have had its origin in South Africa but the way Asake bent, blended and fused the genre is something even South Africans would be proud of.

Niniola came close with the way she deployed the Afro-House genre on her 2020 ‘Colours and Sounds’ album but Asake’s Mr Money with the Vibe is perfection – coalescing elements of Fuji and Afrobeats with Amapiano.

In timing, the album was perfectly maximized for replay value. 30 minutes and slim-fitted tracks that run into one another is commendable stuff that shows an acute awareness of the present reality.

 

The “Awo” Boys Taking Over

Fireboy DML

 

Fireboy DML— An English graduate now known for his musical brilliance

No thanks to his label mate and the overall speed at which the industry moves, Fireboy ’s August album release already feels like a distant memory.

Nonetheless, these do not remove anything from the English graduate’s musical brilliance and he’s one of the music stars who moved from “hustling for bedspace [at OAU] to investing in real estate.”

 

Blaqbonez

 

Blaqbonez— trained engineer for out-of-the-box ideas

Blaqbonez has been atop trends for his creative genius and this trait is something that is not rare to see for people who passed through Ogba Femi. Emeka Akumefule’s rap flair is arguably surpassed by his creative genius.

His latest single video, Back in Uni, underlines what many have always adored the OAU-trained engineer for out-of-the-box ideas.

 

Bayanni

 

Bayanni — also gives up Accounting for a flourishing career in entertainment

Bayanni, born Oluwafemi Oladokun, studied Accounting at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, and is another product doing the school proud on the entertainment scene.

With a successful EP launch and Mavin forces behind him, Bayanni is a rising star that has been touted for bigger things in the industry.

 

Chinko Ekun

 

Chinko Ekun — dumps law profession for entertainment

The self-acclaimed Tiger, born Oladipo Olajide, may have studied Law at OAU but he’s rather renowned for his acts in the studio and not in court.

The Able God crooner is an established artiste who will be looking to get his stocks up soon after a bit of a hiatus.

It only remains to be seen what the future holds for these lads but given their musical prowess, they may rule the industry for a long time.

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