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AmEE is a multitalented musician, music teacher and producer who has brought up numerous protégées into the Nigerian music industry. In this interview with DAYO EMMANUEL, AmEE talked about his next project; a musical concert scheduled for 22nd April at the Freedom park, Lagos. He also laments the disappearance of good music from the public space. He profers solutions and also wants the media industry and rich brands to assist artistes struggling to produce good music for the benefit of the Nigerian society.
Can you tell us the significance of this concert?
This is a concert that means a lot to me. It is a concert conceived to help project myself back into the music industry after being away for some years due to a ghastly accident I encountered. It’s a celebration of my survival from the accident and my coming back to the stage against all odds. The scene has changed with so many great acts. Creating great content in the media space is key now. So this concert is aimed at getting contents that will help propel the growth of the AmEE brand.
Which other artistes are you inviting to participate in the concert?
My artistic friends such as Seyi Solagbade, Femi Slide, Edaoto, Afowoslide, Santafe, Segun Asiko, Jojo Body Beats, Steve Moore (Young Orlando) and a lot more have shown interest to support by performing at the concert in solidarity.
How are you financing this huge project because it’s definitely going to cost some money?
It has really not been easy. I started by using part of my salary. However I had to seek support from friends, colleagues and well-wishers of which some have responded while some are yet to respond. As it is, we are almost ready. However some fund are still needed to finalize a few things before the day.I believe God will surely make a way
Apart from your own ambition which you stated above, what else do you want this concert to achieve for the industry?
I believe the music industry needs great musical platforms to project good music which seems to be gradually fading into extinction as we have very few platforms in the country. This has over the years discouraged creativity and continuity by many of great acts. Many of them leave the shores of the country in search for platforms. Some even tend to go to African countries which seem to appreciate and accommodate them more than Nigeria. Some of these musicians have been trying their best in pushing their brands. I believe by staging this concert, I will be doing a lot in complementing their efforts in projecting cautious music to the world.
The quality of music in terms of content these days has been reducing as against what we had in the past, have you noticed this and what do you think is a possible solution?
Like I said earlier, this concert is more of creating quality content for not just the AmEE brand but also for all artistes on board.
The reason the quality of music seems to be reducing is actually not because there are no good contents but because the contents mentioned are pushed more into the media space than the good ones. With this concert, we will be pushing more of this great content into the media space. I believe this will gradually phase out bad content eventually.
What are brands like yours doing to project good music into the public space, any suggestion?
All I can say is that we will continue to stand by what we believe in, which is using our music as a tool for correcting societal ills
Many brands like mine have in the past staged their own concerts. This has to be a continuous effort. We will also work more in publishing our songs more in the media space. Though financing has been a problem. When big brands see our persistent efforts, they will definitely have no reason not to partner with us at some point. I suggest that. The press should help more in projecting good music. In the past, journalists like Mr. Jahman Anikulapo, Benson Idonije of Guardian newspaper helped Fela Anikulapo Kuti’s brand because of their consistent publications then.
Please your last word on this all important concert…
All I would say is that this concert is a show that will provide the desired entertainment needed this period of Easter and Eid Moubaraq. There’s great music, great food and drink in a relaxing environment, so if you are looking for a place to enjoy the holiday, look no further as AmEE’s Rebirth and back to stage concert is the place to be with your friends and family. Tickets for N1,000 regular, N30,000 for table of 3 and N50,000 for table of 6 are available on request. Get your ticket by calling or sending WhatsApp message to 08023696489 and be sure to have a great day.
