Nigerian media personality, Emma Ugolee, started a discussion about the Nigerian entertainment industry on Instagram. In his discussion, he alleged that there is tribalism in the industry. In the same vein, Paschal Uche Ejikeme (Etcetera) posted a reply that accuses the Nigerian Entertainment Industry, Music particularly, of tribalism and bias.

They claimed that tribalism has eaten deep into the Nigerian entertainment industry. According to them, most of the top artists are from the Southwest, even though it is obvious that there are artists from other parts of the country doing remarkably well.

In Etcetera’s allegations, he stated that the reason the likes of MI, 2Baba and other artists aren’t selling out venues in Lagos is because they aren’t Lagosians and ultimately not Yorubas.

Emma Ugolee wrote: “Nigeria’s music treasure is so vast and rich. Great musical tradition from Victor Olaiya, Rex Lawson, Ebenezer Obey, Oliver De Coque, Osita Osadebe, Peacocks international, Oriental brothers before you even talk about Fela, Sonny Okosun, Ksa, Nelly Uchendu, Onyeka, Ras Kimono, Mandators and so many others, the Nigerian discography is rich and varied with a lot of unique genres, it’s a national treasure says my friend Obi Asika.

He, however, stated that he doesn’t intend to cause any commotion with his assertions.

“Without any intention to stir up a hornet’s nest, this widespread representation touches a thought that has been disquieting in me for a while now, he continued”

“Is it a coincidence that the top 10 (if not 15) music acts are from the southwest? Or is there more to it? I ask this absolutely free of any bias and no streak at all of tribalism. I truly just would like to know. 

He spoke of an era when according to him the atmosphere was more accommodating for young talents to come in and blossom.

“I have tried to explain it with the Lagos hub influence but Lagos was still the place to go to (in an era I witnessed) when it was okay for a Zoolezoo to come [and] top the charts from Makurdi.

“When a Flavornabania could become the biggest Nigerian act from Enugu, Jeremiah Gyang doing the same from Jos, Duncan Mighty & Timaya killing all the Lagos shows from PH city. Rymzo & Kaha from Benin. Age Beeka, Style & 6foot plus from ABJ. Nigga Raw Abia!!

According to him, things have since changed after the era of those singers, stating that the “traffic slowed down” in the last 10 years.

He questioned the fact that Erigga isn’t a household name yet considering the huge talent he possesses.

“Does the media still show the same unbiased love we used to? Do music awards go to non-Lagos acts?” He asked

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Nigerias music treasure is so vast and rich. Great musical tradition from Victor Olaiya, Rex Lawson, Ebenezer Obey, Oliver De Coque, Osita Osadebe, Peacocks international, Oriental brothers before you even talk about Fela, Sonny Okosun, Ksa, Nelly Uchendu, Onyeka, Ras Kimono, Mandators and so many others, the Nigerian discography is rich and varied with a lot of unique genres, it’s a national treasure says my friend Obi Asika _ Without any intention to stir up a hornet’s nest, this wide spread representation touches a thought that has been disquieting in me for a while now. _ Is it a coincidence that the top 10 (if not 15) music acts are from the southwest ? Or is there more to it? _ I ask this absolutely free of any bias and no streak at all of tribalism. I truly just would like to know. _ I have tried to explain it with the Lagos hub influence but Lagos was still the place to go to (in an era I witnessed) when it was okay for a Zoolezoo to come top the charts from Makurdi. When a Flavornabania could become the the biggest Nigerian act from Enugu, Jeremiah Gyang doing the same from Jos, Duncan Mighty & Timaya killing all the Lagos shows from PH city. Rymzo & Kaha from Benin. Age Beeka, Style & 6foot plus from ABJ. Nigga Raw Abia!! _ The story is not the same at all. Traffic has significantly slowed down in the last 10years. Has the inroad into national limelight via Lagos been shutdown? _ The same platform that allowed for others who spoke different languages, had a different sound etc to use the same platforms to national acceptance seems to now be region sensitive _ The problem isn’t coming to Lagos anymore, it’s being accepted by Lagos. Seems like the open arms have been folded _ Why is Erigga not a hiphop household name in Lagos? Was rap music from the middle belt and north produced only from the the era of swatroot & did it end with MI & Icepeince? _ Does the media still show the same unbiased love we used to? Do music awards go to non-Lagos acts? _ I speak not of a handful of exceptions. On a grand national scale as it used too, the question is, ….IS NIGERIA STILL represented IN SOUND, LANGUAGE AND MELODY OF MAINSTREAM MUSIC? _ Emma Ugolee.

A post shared by Emma ugolee (@emmaugolee) on Feb 11, 2020 at 8:38am PST

To that effect, Etcetera provided a response confirming that his assertions are indeed justifiable.

“There’s nothing wrong with your assertion bro. We are all aware of what is going on..save for those living in denial and those benefitting from the madness,” he said.

He then went on to state categorically that the Nigerian Entertainment Industry is “soaked in tribalism”, especially Lagos.

“We all know that this SHAM some call Entertainment Industry in Nigeria today (Lagos in particular) is now SOAKED in TRIBALISM,” he asked.

“Ask yourself why all of a sudden the top artists now are all Yorubas???… And why the Likes of Phyno will fill a 40k  capacity stadium and get half the media buzz as his Southwest counterpart who only does a 10k Arena??

“Is it not a sad precedent that artists from other parts of the country are complaining that for your songs to gain traction in Lagos Air-waves or before you are invited to perform at certain quarters in the city, you have to be an Adeleke, Dayo, Aziz, Omoniyi, Yemi, Seyi or Tiwa??

“Does talent and hard work that should position artists generally, regardless of region, not matter anymore???

Is talent and hard work why these Southwest artists in the top 15, stand over the likes of Tuface, Timaya, Flavor, Phyno, Omawunmi, Waje, MI and Duncan Mighty??

He concluded by saying music has no language and as such will overcome tribal sentiments.

“But the good thing is… Like every other TRIBALISTIC venture… THIS TOO WILL FAIL… Because MUSIC and the arts, in general, has no LANGUAGE…NO TRIBE…NO COLOR. It is simply what it is……MUSIC,” he said.