2019 IN RETROSPECT – End of a Decade

Holla Amigos! I’m feeling pumped and here is why… A decade is over and it’s the start of another decade tomorrow. Whoop! Whoop!

Join me as we check out what 2019 has been like on the general scene in Nigeria in 2019.

NIGERIA MUSIC INDUSTRY

Okay, we’ve been going big as a country for years now with the likes of Wizkid, Davido, Mr. Eazi and PSquare putting us out there on the global scene but this year, we really went bigger.

What makes this even more special is the fact that, not only the big guns went big, but 2019 saw a lot of Nigerian rookies like Rema and Fireboy DML going global too. It was simply awesome.

Oh! Another beautiful thing was how Nigerians seemed more opened to different genres other that pop and Afrobeat this year. Who would have thought that someone other than Asa, Adekunle Gold and Simi would really sell market in Naija, ehn? I just love how Johnny Drille, Fireboy, Tems, Wurld and others were warmly embraced. It was pleasing to watch.

You sure must have heard about Burna Boy, the African Giant’s Grammy nomination, right? That is huge, y’all. I felt so proud like he were my brother, lover or even son.

Thanks to all Nigerians and the peeps that particularly played a special role in giving more rookies like Fireboy, Joeboy, Rema, Lyta room to flourish in the industry in 2019. They sure didn’t disappoint us all. Gosh! Have you heard Fireboy’s Album & Joeboy’s EP… iconic!

RAP MUSIC

Oh dear, how dare I talk about the vibrancy in our music industry this year without mentioning the rift between Vector and M.I. I’d be damned!

Yo, that was fireeeeeeee!!!

So here is the gist, for those who slept on it

Vector da Viper and M.I. Abaga gave me the biggest entertainment chills and goosebumps this year. What?! I fell in love with rap all over again and I believe that’s true for a lot of Nigerians. The diss was more than entertaining.

These two great rappers rejuvenated rap/hip-hop in Nigeria. This is what I know rap to be guys, fire 4 fire and that was what King Kong and Chairman gave us in September/October 2019.

Before I say anything else, can I first mention how proud I am of both of them? Bravo, bravo!

Let’s go back to the beginning *singing in Asa’s voice*

The diss started with Martel Cypher (The Purification) from M.I, BlaqBonez, Loose Kaynon & A-Q.

Vector, Payper & Vader replied with the track, The Purge Cypher. Then Vector released Tetracycling dissing the Mr. Incredible, M.I.

The battle seemed to have ended abruptly but no, no, don’t be deceived because two weeks later, on Teacher’s Day, M.I. returned to school Vector with The Viper.

I must say, M.I. really schooled Vector in this diss track. But then, Vectorwasn’t ready for a defeat as he came back just few days after with Judas The Rat where he not only dragged M.I. but everyone else draggable, including ex-governor of Lagos State,  Akinwunmi Ambode.

M.I. never responded to Vector’s Judas The Rat but I definitely enjoyed A-Q’s diss track to Vector titled, Distractions 2.

There’s been a back and forth about who won the battle between Vector and M.I. and even though I am an apologetic Vector fan, mehn, this is a tough one. 

Now you see why I was pumped about the whole brouhaha? LOL

OMOYELE SOWORE

Mr. Revolution, you United our voices. I wasn’t going to vote for you at the last election, heck no, I didn’t even care who you were but now… Let’s just say, you have successfully put yourself on the list of leaders who had to go to prison because of what they stood for or who they stood against before making it into the presidential villa. Well, that’s if the giant of Africa ever becomes a nation whose elections are no longer won by rigging. I really hope with all of my heart that you do not feel pressured to get into power through the ‘old time religion’ because then, what would have been the purpose of all you went through.

In a bit to avoid being picked up (that would be easy) and locked up on the charge of treason and plotting against the current administration, I’ll stop here but not before mentioning that your ill-treatment by the DSS made me shed tears several times for what my beloved country has been reduced to. It hurt really badly and covered me with a cloud of sadness, but, all hope isn’t lost.

Let’s keep praying, hoping, fighting and voting for the Nigeria we want.

NOLLYWOOD

Yo people, I’m proud to be a part of this industry. The industry is really growing and it took major steps in the right direction this year.

Let’s start with Niyi Akinmolayan’s animation, Malika. Malika is a story about a 16th-century Northern Nigerian warriorqueen, Queen Amina voiced by Adesua Etomi-Wellington.

You know I’m extra, right? So, I’m scared of divulging more than I should. Why don’t you just watch and see for yourself why it has won two awards already.

Coincidently, my second favourite Nollywood work this year, The Set Up, was directed by Niyi Akinmolayan, featuring Adesua Etomi-Wellington, Kehinde Bankole, Tina Mba and many more. I was hooked from the beginning to the end.

Living in Bondage: Breaking Free is another 2019 blockbuster. I must confess that I haven’t seen the film but the reviews???? Unless someone paid everyone from different walks of life to give positive reviews about this 1992 remake, then it is an absolutely great movie.

Every single review I have watched or read has rated it 7 and above. That’s huge, guys!

GENERAL ELECTIONS

One word to describe the 2019 general election in my opinion is, PATHETIC. It’s like Nigeria took two steps forward in 2015 and 10 steps backwards in 2019. It was shameful to watch.

What broke my heart the most was hearing learned individuals say they’d rather vote for one of the two biggest aspirants than ‘waste’ their vote on the candidate they actually preferred. When will our mumu do now?

BIG BROTHER NAIJA

BBNaija has always been a big thing and it seems with each year, there is a particular ‘bitchy’ housemate hell bent on out-bitching the previous bitch. Yikes!

I wonder, why do we glorify, celebrate and stan bad attitude?

I pray for the day the biggest winner out of the reality show would be a well-behaved person.

#MeToo MOVEMENT

The #MeToo movement is social movement to raise awareness towards sexual abuse, sexual violence, sexual assault and an advocacy for females who have survived any form of sexual abuse.

The movement became more popular in Nigeria after the rape allegation laid by Busola Dakolo against Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo. That was another big thing this year. It sucks!

TWITTER NIGERIA vs TWITTER GHANA

There can never be an end to this, can there? If we are not fighting over Nigerian Jollof or Ghanaian Jollof, it will be about our artists, or the lack of electricity and good governance in Nigeria, yada yada But this year, we capped it with the fight over pop star, Cardi B’s visit to both countries.

Jeez! Can we lay it down already?

On a second thought, maybe not. I sure enjoy reading all the tweets and clapbacks. They are always, never-failing hilarious! LMAO

FEMINISM

This definitely took a different turn in Nigeria this year. Right now, I can bet, only a handful Nigerians understand the true meaning of feminism. Kilode gan, what’s going on, people?

Someone cannot be pregnant outside wedlock in peace again? Okay, I frown at that too actually but hey, not because of what we have interpreted feminism to be.

All I can say, all of us will be fine, feminists or not… pheeew!

GELAX CHATROOM LOVERS

What? What?? What???

I am nothing without you! You make my heart beat in my rib cage, you are the flower in my flowery world. Big shout out to the realest MVP, Patrick Abanonu. I owe you a huge teddy bear hug MR! 🤗❣️

What have I done to deserve y’all? I don’t know but I love that you love Bolaji Gelax and her Flowery world.

YOU ARE THE BEST GIFT OF THE DECADE!

Happy New Decade in advance lovers!

Featured Image Model: @Joytothewords