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Etimology: Its oldest etimology is Greek with variations such as Mousa, Muse or Muosikĕ which translate to arts of the muses that connotes poetry, goddess of music, art and dance.
Origin: There is no consensus on how music originated.
Some claim music debuted in Africa. Yet there are histories of 40,000 years ago of between the evolution of Homo Sapiens and the extinct of the Neanderthals. It is even believed that music had been present in the ancestral population before the people scattered all over the world. There are so many postulations but where there seems to be a consensus is that music has always existed in every known culture and religion in the eon of time.
Functions Of Music:
Six of the ten functions of music according to Alan P. Merriam in his book , The Anthropology of Music’ are stated as follows:
1.Emotional expression.
2.Aesthetic enjoyment.
3.Entertainment.
4.Communication.
5.Symbolic representation (symbols within the text, notation, and cultural. …
6.Physical response (dancing and other physical activity).
Effective combination of the six functions reflects soul lifting function; courage and hope in down moments; cultural reinforcement, knowledge and healthy living.
Examining Our Local Artistes:
Since we have been able to define and determine to a reasonable extent, the purposes and intent of music regardless of the genres, we can now come home and critique our artises and their contents.
A little digression before this, indulgence sought, is that music that promotes profanities, calibrates hubris; celebrate criminalities and unwholesome acts; eulogises deplorable conducts; and corrupts the pysche of the young ones to negativity have no place in music definition. Rather it is an abberation.
These assertions are further justified by different countries laws that regulate/vet the works of musicians in what they produce for public consumption. Sadly, the advent of social media has robbed us the proactiveness and efficacy of regulatory bodies such as the National Broadcasting Corporation, (NBC).
Part of NBC responsibilities is “Establishing and disseminating a national broadcasting code and setting standards with regard to the contents and quality of materials for broadcast; Promoting Nigeria indigenous cultures, moral and community life through broadcasting; Promoting authenticated radio and television audience measurements and penetration.”
Nigerian Artistes Whose Works Fit The Functions Of Music:
[Name ] { GENRE}
1. Chief Osita Osadebe Highlife
2. Chief Oliver De Coque Highlife
3. Bright Chimezie Highlife
4. Dan Maraya Jos Hausa
5. Maman Shata Hausa
6. Tunde Nightingale Juju
7. I.K. Dairo Juju
8. Ayinde Bakare Juju
9. Adeolu Akinsanya Juju
10. Ebenezer Obey Juju
12. Haruna Ishola Apala
11. King Sunny Ade Juju
13. Ayinla Omowura Apala
14. Fela Anikulapo Kuti Afro
( Fela: I have strong reservation with his way of life)
15. Lagbaja Afro
16. Odolaye Aremu Dadakuada
(Odolaye: Not too adroit in harmony of his lyrics but rich in mastery of his local language).
17. Jaigbade Alao Dadakuada
18. Sikiru Ayinde Balogun Fuji
19. Kollington Ayinla Fuji
20. Adewale Ayuba Fuji
21. Saheed Osupa Akorede Fuji
22. Sefiu Alao Fuji
23. Salawa Abeni promotes ‘Waka’ genre and she has used her brand to promote the essence of music; “Gentle lady ni mi emi ki i se fighter o, k’eni k’eni ma ti mi lo si’bi ija o.” is an artistic piece.
Couple of Hip hop artistes who have successfully returned our young guys to our own home-made hip hop songs from their penchant for foreign hip hop artistes and rappers. Their effort is comendable.
It is also instructive to let it be known that all the above mentioned musicians have their own lows in many of their works but they are so skillful such that they are euphesmistically applied irreverent slangs so as not to offend sensibilities. Odolaye Aremu was brazen and raw in one of his works though, but his other works qualified him to make the list.
Another branch of music is the ‘Ewi’ genre. This brand pricks the conscience of bad conduct of leaders or society. It also appeals to morals.
Olatunbosun Oladapo and Olanrewaju Adepoju are geniuses of this genre.
For some artistes, there is no standard and there is no due dilligence. What motivates their vulgarity and obscenities is money. In the process of love for money they destroy the social fabrics and the sinews of moraĺity that safeguard the society. Through the recklessness of such greedy musicians, our young ones now see the baddies as role models; embrace vices where virtues are needed.
When the late Sikiru Ayinde was caught between the devil and the deep blue sea. Even though he aligned with the devil at that particular instance, he applied wisdom to preach morality. It was a gathering of the high and mighty. This character was an hatchet man of the VIPs. Mr. Fuji was on bandstand for the VIPs and the baddie must also shine.
Even though Fuji crooner must praise sing him, he still used wisdom to admonish him to thread softly in his inglorious trade and anti social behaviors of his followers. That demonstrates the hallmark of a true musician.
As for those who are ready to be unprofessional provided the price is right; they should know that nemesis is real. Apart from the spiritual angle, what goes around comes around.
