Bright Chimezie, known for his influential music style called Zigima Sound, has expressed deep concern over the decline of meaningful music among contemporary artistes.

The Abia State native, who rose to fame in the early 1980s with his unique blend of Igbo highlife, traditional rhythms and funk, expressed concern in a recent episode of the CreativTea podcast. He lamented that while today’s artistes are producing high-quality music in terms of rhythm, they often neglect meaningful lyrical content.

The Ala Eze, Ube Nwanne, Because of English, Respect Africa, and African Style hitmaker advised younger colleagues to incorporate rich lyrics into their music, stressing that during his peak, he and his contemporaries made music that stood the test of time.

“Music is more profitable now than my time. The only problem I have with the present crop of artistes is their lyrical content. In terms of rhythms and every other thing, they are doing quite okay. But, what message are they passing to the society?

“Some of the things we (me and my contemporaries) sing stuck. I remember I did Respect Africa in 1984, that’s about 40 years ago. But I can still watch what I did 40 years ago and be proud of my lyrics.

“These days, I ask these boys, the things that are coming out from your mouth, by the time your music stays up to 40 years, can you sit back with your children, see yourself and be proud of yourself?’

“So, those are the things. They are doing very well. But I think it is very important for them to add good lyrics to their music,” he stated.