I think I am very qualified to write on this aspect haven been on both the receiving and the giving end. Upcoming artistes surprisingly are laced with a touch of unnecessary pride. This very bad omen has sadly become the reason for the slow progress of most of these guys, especially those who actually got the sauce.

I once had an experience that I would almost never stop talking about. I was on the verge of releasing my official mixtape under my new management BLACK ACE DYNASTY. I contacted one upcoming artiste who’s not done so much for himself aside releasing a bunch of average mix-tapes for a place like the naija music industry. He asked to listen to the particular song I wanted him on. He was disappointed., why? I wasn’t sounding like an American. I was doing the ingenious thing. Pidgin English as we popularly call it. He said it was not his style and he wouldn’t want to do something that’s below his concept. He was that blunt and I at-least appreciated that fact. But come to think of it, what is the concept behind having another artiste feature on your song? I thought it was to have two totally different style blend in one song? Please correct me if I am wrong. Anyways, the topic of sounding fake aka “too foreign” trying to appeal to a local crowd is a topic for another day.

Why is networking so hard for the upcoming Nigerian artistes? Why is there so much division? As a matter of fact how am I sensing this act of tribalism even amongst up coming artistes? I have taken my time to observe this but I will be civilized enough as to not go tribal on this.

Upcoming acts are filled with this special self confidence. The “i can stand alone” syndrome. It’s all pride. When Rapper A is feeling way better than rapper B, there is suddenly tension and an unofficial competition. Hiphop has no real beef anymore aside jealousy for your fellow artistes. It is hidden within all of us. We have to start seeing music as a network first, then the rest will become easily understood. I have had alot of stories, events, incidents, situations where your fellow rapper gives you an unreasonable fee to pay just to feature. Stuff like that. I am not saying it is not right to take upon yourself some financial responsibilities that might be incurred by the guy whom you are trying to feature, but we all know when someone is trying to rip you off given the fact that he clearly knows your financial status. I know it is supposed to be business, but we should know when we are really in business. How much have you invested on yourself? How well have you publicized your art before you welcome that stupid pride in?