NIGERIA @65 : Afrobeats hitting the right notes in Nigeria – Puffy Tee

By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye

One of Africa’s leading music producers, songwriter, singer and entrepreneur, Temidayo Joseph Babatope, affectionately called Puffy Tee says Afrobeat music is hitting the right notes in Nigeria and the world.

Temidayo Joseph Babatope gave this verdict in his Nigeria @65 Independence Day message tagged ‘We Are Proving Our Worth’

He explained that Nigerian artists, musicians, songwriters, producers and other individuals in the entertainment industry are pulling the right strings and are singing from a similar hymm sheet.

“We are halfway there, the journey to stardom for Afrobeats is still far. Afrobeats is recognized globally, but only a few big time artists have made it to the top.

“But that’s not the desired height for Nigeria, the country is filled with talent, once these talents are harnessed properly we will be in the top 20 and 30 afrobeats artist in the world.

“We are doing it right, when you look at the top 5 big artists or musicians on the continent we are there but we need to take control of the airwaves, that’s, having the top 20 or more,” Puffy Tee stated in his Independence Day message.

He lamented that Nigerian artists are doing so much for the industry but financial returns leave much to be desired.

“In the area of revenue, funds earned from Spotify, iTunes, Apple, etc, entertainment isn’t receiving the due funds. The payback to artists for releasing songs is not at the right level, we are far behind in Nigeria, it doesn’t equate the hard work, put in by the artists, and the entire production team to release the songs.”

Temidayo Joseph Babatope, the man behind numerous hit songs including Yahooze, further explained that when the entertainment and showbiz world in Nigeria is more rewarding, more talented and gifted young ones will embrace its wholeheartedly.

“From the early 5Os down to our days, Nigeria; the Royal white and energetic Green has produced world class entertainers and we will continue to produce more as long as the environment and policies are right.”

Puffy Tee, therefore calls on all the three tiers of government in Nigeria to open up the entertainment industry space with well cut out policies programs, up to date infrastructural development and the much needed funding for the industry to thrive and compete favourably with Europe and America, the hub of showbiz.

“The private sector is doing their part, however, a lot more needs to come from them as well as from well meaning individuals with deep and fat pockets.

“A little token form of support will only do more harm to us who toil day and night to make Nigerians sing and smile,” Puffy Tee, a judge in the Next Afrobeat Stars Initiative said.

The entertainer and entrepreneur who has spent the last three decades in the industry, stressed that the government should keep a close mark on all digital music platforms and regulate them so that musicians and record label owners are not ripped off.

“The idea is for it to be more rewarding, and until then we are not there yet. The real money is only flowing in a little circle, it’s not where it should be.”

The Ekiti state-born, music producer had some pleasant words for the initiators of Next Afrobeat Stars (NAS), “That is why platforms like NAS are there to do a little part of the work by discovering and grooming talents and sponsors like MTN back it up financially.”

Puffy Tee, also suggested that Nigeria should have multiple national and international annual Afrobeat Festivals, this he believes will enhance the art and culture industry.

“We need more corporate bodies and individuals to help transform the music industry with events that host the continent and the globe at large. We should be having afrobeats festivals across the country and on the continent, that brings together artists across Africa.”

“I pray that we find our path and do not deviate from it. Reggae was once a global sensation to the extent that a song was produced entitled ‘Nobody can stop reggae’, but now no one is after reggae again. Now the story is different, it’s afrobeat and we need to sustain the momentum.”