THE NEGATIVE EFFECT OF MUSIC/RECORD LABELS IN THE NORTHEASTERN AFRO/HIPHOP COMMUNITIES AND WAYS OUT.
I have a copy of a record contract in my archive for studies but I doubt so much if there is any artist from the Northeast (including me) that is currently signed genuinely by a well documented, structured and financially stable record label.
I doubt if we've ever had 1.
In March 2014, I moved into Lagos with my friends only to watch lots of music enthusiasts back home saying many things out of mere assumptions and making crazy moves in a manner that I couldn't correct.
With the name of the defunct music outfit (MPR) attached to my name without any official involvement, lots of young music enthusiasts (Mostly from Yola) panicked, misread my sojourn and thought the height of music is to get signed.
With more of facebook stunts than meaningful arts, they formed labels to create artist who could match up to what they presumed about "Martino" and this "label" issue quickly spread to other Northeastern states (especially Taraba). I called it the "Martino Effect".
With no ideas of how a label is run, no finances to polish their Artistes, the over ambitious and inexperienced Label bosses pushed their artists into senseless beefs to give them a mirage of being major Musicians. NONE OF THESE LABELS WAS REAL AND I DOUBT IF ANY ARTIST HAS BEEN REALLY SIGNED FROM HERE.
Some producers took advantage of that trend to enrich themselves by siphoning the little resources spent on the various artistes to their studios until many artists got damaged.
Talking from my own experiences, the beefs I got from such "signed artists" who weren't truly developed by their so called labels pushed me away from a lot of young talents I could have collaborated with. I guess it's safe to say the numerous record labels we had affected the combination and development of artistry in the Northeast by dividing the heads of musicians and not really empowering them.
These CEOs who usually have their major hustles only dumped the artists back on the streets after wasting their time cluelessly; giving rise to lots of failed talents sinking in the street corners gradually.
Even though a music contract is good, artists need to know that they are the deal not the labels. ARTISTS MUST FOCUS ON MAKING THEMSELVES BETTER UNTIL COMPANIES COME TO WORK WITH THEM NOT sign them.
Young artist must not blatantly run away from knowledge. Young artists must bend down and learn to avoid wasting time and talents.
Hear from artists who tried it before you and ask questions.
Young artist must be sharp in knowing people who only want to use you to shine. When labels approach you, you must first get incentives that will ease your stress of life before you flaunt them and documents must be presented and sign with legal representative involved.
Young artists in the Northeast must squash the beefs and divisions created between them by labels who don't put food on their tables and combine to discuss way forward.
Young artist MUST KNOW that the music business is about improving the standard of life NOT destroying the name of others.
Well meaning Record bosses of the recent past and the ones claiming to have labels should endeavors to call their discarded and current artists to talk to them truthfully.
Entertainment if done well can bring good things to the land and keep the youth busy.
Let's avoid fake, unofficial, undocumented, clueless and power-drunk record labels.
Let's focus on making beautiful music, an association and great events as artists in our various states.
Northeast artist must interconnect and give avenue for artists to be able to perform easily in states other than theirs.
Ignore the "sign up" and work until a genuine company comes to work with you.
God bless youth in Arewa!
God bless artists in the Northeast!!
God bless Nigeria and African Entertainment!!!
#NorthernXposure
Written by Martino Elcasino
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