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The Church and Religion – Unsung Heroes of the African Music Success

The Church and Religion – Unsung Heroes of the African Music Success

The Church and Religion - Unsung Heroes of the African Music Success


Nigeria; the most populous African nation with a diverse culture. Most times this is how the country is qualified. However, when it comes to the discussion of sound and music in a global worldview, we are always categorized or put in a box. People rarely talk about the rich and diverse soundscape that comes with the cultural and historical diversity that exists in the country 

Not only in Nigeria alone, but in Africa in general. It is a common knowledge that the negros are somehow musically inclined. That musical inclination, however, seem to be occurring tripple fold in the bloods of certain specified people. Are these people just innately talented? Or are they outliers who had access to certain advantages which made them a master of their craft. In clear terms, what we are trying to do is paint a picture of the possible cause(s) of the Nigerian music ingenuity. 

The Nigerian music industry is being the case study here, because it appears to be the most popular industry in Africa, with a catalogue of global superstars, who seem to be taking the world on a roll at the moment. Dishing out a dose of the Africanness through sound, and conquering the world tour by tour, hits by hits, and ultimately country by country. Before moving to the case study, we will first look at the Historical factors that might have influenced the Africa’s musical know how

Historical factors that may have influenced Africa’s Music Inclination. 

African musical talents have been shaped by a rich tapestry of historical factors that span centuries. One of the most significant influences is the continent's deep-rooted tradition of oral storytelling and communal participation in music. For centuries, music has been an integral part of African culture, serving as a medium for storytelling, religious ceremonies, and social rituals. Drumming, singing, and dancing were not only forms of entertainment but also essential components of communication and cultural expression. And this may have been passed down through DNA or Socialization.

Slave Trade:

The transatlantic slave trade also played a pivotal role in shaping African musical talents. As millions of Africans were forcibly transported to the Americas, they brought with them their musical traditions, which profoundly influenced the development of various musical genres such as jazz, blues, gospel, and later, hip-hop and reggae. The resilience and adaptability of African musical traditions allowed them to survive and evolve in new environments, creating a powerful cultural legacy.

Colonialism:

Colonialism further impacted African music by introducing Western musical instruments and styles. This interaction led to the creation of unique hybrid genres, blending traditional African sounds with European musical elements. The post-colonial era saw a resurgence of interest in indigenous music, as newly independent African nations sought to reclaim and celebrate their cultural heritage.

Role of the Church and Religion in creation of Nigeria’s Modern Supertalents.

Having outlined the potential historical factors, we will now check the influence of religion and the church on Nigeria's contemporary musical success. We will also highlight examples of significant artists who benefited from fundamental music development through the church.

The Church has faced significant criticism from modern Africans due to various controversial issues. These include an excessive focus on profit-making, the desecration of its sanctity, and inadequate religious teachings. As a result, Africans or Nigerians seem to have a huge magnifying glass on the churches today. 

However, despite the criticisms leveled against churches, it is important to acknowledge their role in being a makeshift musical academies for young people. They provide valuable opportunities for musical education and development that might otherwise be inaccessible.

The musical departments within churches embrace young individuals and teach them the fundamental theories and principles of music. This training equips them to navigate and comprehend the intricacies of the music ecosystem. The church imparts this foundational knowledge, which these individuals often carry into the secular music world, where they subsequently flourish. Undoubtedly, without this vital influence, many of today's preeminent Afrobeats superstars might not exist. Here are example of people who religion or the Church influenced into music

Síkírù Àyìndé  Barrister

Barrister was not groomed in a church, but his sound and musical success was influenced by an Islamic tradition in Nigeria. “During the 1960s in post-independence Nigeria, Síkírù Àyìndé Barrister (1948-2010) pioneered and coined the term fújì, a Yorùbá genre of popular dance music. He transformed wéré/ajísari music, songs performed by and for Muslims during the Ramadan fast, into this new style of dance music.” Wéré/Ajísari was a type of music Muslims performed to wake each other for Sahur — the early morning feast during Ramadan period.

Timaya

Timaya revealed during an interview that he started from church before starting up as a backup for Eedris Abdulkareem. It happened that Timaya eventually became a mentor for Africa’s biggest artist, Burna Boy. 

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Wizkid

The Starboy began singing at the age of 11 in church before rebranding to 'Wizkid' in 2006. From there, he took the Nigerian sound International, and became the most decorated African musician of his generation.

Don Jazzy

One of the top producers in the Nigerian music industry, and Mavin Records boss was a multi-instrumentalist in church. This informed his dexterity at music production. Years down the line, Don Jazzy had contributed to the success of Icons like Wande Coal, D’banj, and currently some of the biggest Afrobeats acts in 2024, Rema & Ayra Starr. In 2024, Don jazzy sold majority stake of his label, Mavin Records to Universal Music Group (UMG), one of the world's largest music companies in the world

Wande Coal

Music star, Wande Coal started singing in the teenage choir at his church. Years later he signed to Mo’hits records and went on to inspire a lot of new school afrobeats acts.

There are numerous examples of superstars that could still be mentioned. The likes of Terry G, Ruger, Waje, Cobhams Asuquo, Chidinma; And Producers like MasterKraft, Blaizebeats, and many others also had their musical journey shaped by the Church

Even till date, the church continues to nurture talents; indirectly adding to the value of our industry. Despite all the negatives, this is part of the positives that we can thank religion and the church for. 

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