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Afrobeats is Nigeria’s most popular export. The music can also be found in the Swiss hit parade. The song Calm Down by Rema, for example, has been in the top 10 almost continuously for months. In Nigeria itself, thousands dream of being the next big music star.
The 24-year-old Habeeb Olalekan aka “Shine Boy” sits in front of his friend’s hairdresser’s shop in the Agege slum in Lagos and freestyles. “Music is about delivering a message. Especially when you live in the slum like me, where life is hard, where you have to work hard to make ends meet.”
People I worked with gave up long ago. Certain people thought I was just wasting my time.
Shine Boy has been making music since he was 13 years old. He has already produced several tracks that he plays over the rattling loudspeakers in the small hairdressing salon: “My main goal in life is to become a big star. And I believe it will happen. So many musicians in Nigeria have made it from the slums to the world stage.” Shine Boy is hoping to be discovered on social media by a major music producer. From producers who produce world hits like “Calm Down”.
Legend:
Freestyle at the hair salon in Agege. Here “Shine Boy” (front left) dreams of the world stage.
SRF/Anna Lemmenmeier
Catchy tune «Calm Down»
The song has conquered the charts worldwide. It has been certified platinum or diamond on every continent. In Switzerland, too, the song has been at the top of the hit parade for months. The song was produced by Andre Vibez, whose real name is Alexander Uwaifo. The 34-year-old has made it and made it to the top of Nigeria’s music industry.
People from the slum make it here every day.
“People I worked with gave up long ago. Certain people thought I was just wasting my time. With the hit ‘Calm Down’ I’m at my peak now,” says the music producer. Andre Vibez can now afford to rent a house in an affluent area of Lagos. Every day the young man with the afro sits in his small studio, which is equipped with a red light, and creates beats.
Legend:
Famous musicians can be found everywhere in Nigeria, including on tuktuks.
SRF/Anna Lemmenmeier
Social advancement through music is not a myth
Vibez’s career didn’t start in the slum. His father was already a well-known musician. Nevertheless, social advancement in Nigeria through music is not a myth at all: “People from the slums make it here every day. Even Wizkid comes from a humble background,” says Vibez. And Wizkid is now one of the most successful musicians in Nigeria and worth millions.
We Africans don’t like sad music. We have to go through too many things, so we prefer to make music that makes us happy.
Afrobeats has been an integral part of clubs around the world for several years. For music producer Andre Vibez, who works for Africa’s largest record label, Mavin Records, Nigerian music owes much of this to social media: “Social media has made the world smaller. People from all over have started to see what we’re doing here.”
Legend:
Andre Vibez produces beats every day in his «Sonic Room».
SRF/Anna Lemmenmeier
Another success factor is the type of music that is produced in Nigeria: “We Africans don’t like sad music. We have to go through too many things, so we prefer to make music that makes us happy. And this kind of music pulls you along.” Afrobeats, Nigeria’s most popular export, is sweeping. Whether in the slum or in a luxury club. Whether in Lagos, New York or Zurich.