The African people are no strangers to a good tune and an even better artist. The people know what they expect, and for the most part, the labour and toil our music pioneers endure to churn greatness leave the people’s souls at peace.
Music most certainly comes with its perks, but all in all, such a blissful and sound-saturated space comes with a singular purpose: to provide entertainment. Some deem it an escape from reality. Some go as far as calling it an obsession. Still, the African people embrace diversity in music immensely, and such a profound appreciation for the expansive craft leaves applaudable results in its wake.
However, in previous years, the people’s gaze has shifted from the power of music from the greatest ever to other unfathomable means. Falling down the rabbit hole of social media, you are bound to come across someone big issuing a press release on inappropriate actions from an unspeakable scandal.
The life of a celebrity is daunting, as eyes are constantly on them, and opinions from the public can invalidate their craft or actions. This can lead to cancel culture depending on the situation. The question remains: how did we get here?
How did the people of Africa turn away from the love of music, to placing a magnifying glass on the tiniest flaws and imperfections of our artists?
In actuality, these famous influences in music are as human, if not more, as you and I. Just as we as people tend to develop the propensity to fall and to act out of place, so do our artists. For whatever reason, we as music lovers have become spectators of the high and mighty, holding them accountable for any mishap.
Yes, it is the role the gifted have signed up for, and heavy is the head that wears the crown, but with such a gleaming crown comes the thief of public opinion.
With just a Tweet, a viral video or hearsay from a random account online, millions, if not billions of fans of artists hit unfollow and unsubscribe from stars they once admired.
What power would music have if it did not originate from a story? How would a connection develop between an artist and a listener once there is no sentiment behind a body of music?
Music carries meaning, and this can fall under many definitions for just about anyone, artists inclusive. To be a fan means to accept an individual for their shortcomings and develop a relationship with what they have to offer. To be a fan is to not hurl the most gruesome words at these gifted faces with the mission to entertain when a matter arises.
The dawn of music stems from the conveying of emotions, and these forces would not have a perfect picture to paint without the chaos and how they made beauty from it.
There is a reason why some artists still maintain a cult-like following after a so-called scandal. The reason tends to be their music. For we would be nothing without our experiences, and such a law will eternally apply within the music industry.
