MTV Base musicology: Falz, Olisa Adibua, Edi Lawani discuss Nigerian events and concerts

It is no gain say, Nigerian artistes have gone global and they are slowly taking over the world stage, from performing at festivals like Coachella, SXSW and Wireless to selling out concerts across the continent and beyond.

In Nigeria, the business of events and concerts has become a booming one. MTV Base flagship roundtable show, Musicology, gathered some of the biggest and brightest minds on the Nigerian entertainment scene to discuss the challenges and future of the business.

This episode’s panel is made up of multiple award winning artiste, Falz; superstar disc jockey, DJ Kaywise; music entrepreneur, Olisa Adibua; co-founder/business strategist operations, Nairabox, Jay Chikezie; Head West Africa ULIve, Bayo Fatoba; Digital Media Manager, VIMN Africa, Adetola Adekoya and Special Projects Consultant, Edi Lawani.

Hosted by VJ Ehiz, the new episode examines and dissects the prospects as well as the many problems facing the nature of events and concerts in Nigeria presently. One of the many problems discussed during the enlightening session is the nonchalant attitude of artistes toward their performances.

Speaking on this issue, rapper, songwriter and actor, Falz, said, “Generally speaking, I feel standards of events and concerts have gone down. It’s almost like the consumer takes whatever is thrown at them. As a result, artistes have naturally become lazy.”

Buttressing Falz’s point, Fatoba said, “We believe in creating experiences for artistes at ULive, it now depends on how creative the artiste is, in accepting what you have sold to them.”

Other issues discussed at the panel session include creativity, financial constraints, quality control, consumer experience and research. In order to arrive at the solutions for these issues, the panelists began the journey to discovery by asking some salient questions.

Lending his voice to the discussion about creativity as it concerns performances, promotion and ticket sales Olisa Adibua asked, “if from January to November, I see you at everybody’s show popping up here and there, then you say in December you want to do a concert, why would I come to watch you? What’s the value you are bringing?”The show aired on Thursday, April 11, 8pm local time on MTV Base.