Are We Entertainers Socially Irresponsible? - Etcetera writes | Welcome to Linda Ikeji's Blog

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Saturday 16 August 2014

Are We Entertainers Socially Irresponsible? - Etcetera writes

Another 'bombshell' article from singer turned writer Etcetera. Read below...
I got a call on Wednesday morning from one of our popular female artistes asking if she could be a guest on my radio show to promote her new album that is meant for release this month. I said, “Why not? It will be my privilege to have you on my show.” As we talked on, I tried chipping in a little advice that it might not be a good idea releasing an album in the middle of an ebola crisis; suggesting that right now people might be too worried and preoccupied with the ebola scare to care about a new album. I told her she would stand the risk of being branded insensitive for dropping her album at a time the country is having a crisis of some sort. I went on thinking I could convince her to postpone the album release to a time when she can easily get people’s attention. But she wouldn’t hear of it.

She said “Bros forget dat tin abeg, Naija no dey send tins like dat. After all, Dorobucci was released on the day of the second Nyanya bomb blast and just after three weeks of the first blast? Why didn’t they call it insensitive or irresponsible?” She got me chewing on that for a minute as I couldn’t think of anything further to say than, ‘Ok dear, you are on for 7pm this Thursday.’ Isn’t it wonderful how the peculiarities of this country knows no limit? Even in entertainment, we are of a different cloth. It’s a party with no checks. How possible is it that Dorobucci’s release on the same day of a major disaster could go unnoticed even by the legion of entertainment journalists in Naija? Little details as the timing of a song release has never been an issue here as much as it is in other climes. In the US for instance, a simple thing as that can make or kill a song. But how lucky it is for the musicians and music stakeholders in Nigeria that nobody bothers with such. The social irresponsibility of the artist has never been an issue. As a celeb you can slap a police officer on your way to an interview, brag about it live on air and get endorsed by a multinational brand that same day. We are indeed a unique people. Maybe that explains the bulk of unnecessary issues we face as a nation.
Let’s move further into today’s topic before they say Etcetera has started again, with his exaggerations. I am already having akpatoyi (goose pimples) with the thought that some have already called for my excommunication from entertainment’s holy of holies for daring to defecate on the alter of Naija entertainment’s ecclesiastical sanctimonium . Please forgive me Father for I have sinned against the Cherubims and Seraphins. Inomine patri et fili et spiritus sancti amen.
When I mentioned artist responsibility, I am not talking about the responsibility of a musician when he receives money for his studio upgrade, or the responsibility he owes the arts when creating his music note by note or chord by chord. The responsibility I am referring to here is the personal responsibility that he owes to the society, his obligation to his fellow human beings. Some have attributed the nonchalant nature of the Nigerian artist to a deeper societal moral decay that has developed into our entertainment tradition. But it can also be traced to the separation of the artist as an individual from the message of his art. Very little connection is seen between the evaluation of the artist as a person and the evaluation of his works and its messages. You don’t have to look very far for evidence of this separationist attitude in the industry. You only just have to look at the artist whose songs about humanity, equal rights and justice touched millions, while he goes to concerts in his Bentley protected by vicious bouncers flogging his fans away; or the ones who preach against corruption but always disobey traffic regulations. In some other countries, the aesthetic judgement of an artist is intrinsically linked to how the artist lives. The concept of an artist’s craftsmanship that is not connected strongly to other aspects of the artist’s life is unacceptable. As a matter of fact, the ideals of the religious songs that formed the basics of our beliefs in these parts should be integrated into the devotional life of the artist. Why has this hypocrisy flourished in our society? It has become a standard operating procedure for the social interface used by creative artists today. And by accepting this status quo, we ensure its survival. Now more than ever, it is extremely important that people realise that they are personally responsible for their actions. When an artist is able to isolate himself or herself from the messages in their songs, they come chillingly close to the “I’m just doing my job” mentality of a suicide bomber. If you preach nudity and alcoholism in our music, how do you correct an indecently dressed child? In fact, it is through the role models that we hold forth for the rest of society that we can work to change the society. I am certain you can list some artists who are active in trying to shift our culture towards more humane approaches to living. But my emphasis here is not the rhetorical espoused in an artist’s song, but the way in which the artist leads his or her life; the practice-what-you-preach idea. But in my opinion, the practising is far more important than the preaching. As creative artists, we are in the business of manufacturing culture. We are helping to define cultural attitudes. Through our works, and more importantly the way we work, we can demonstrate to the rest of the society more desirable and appropriate ways of being human. Why not use your fame and visibility for the betterment of humanity? Some of you might read into what I am saying as a call for some sort of police to crack down on social violators within the entertainment industry. But I am only just insinuating that the methods some of us use to achieve our goals say a lot about the goal itself. Of course I am not advocating for music designed to show off some imaginary golden world that artists live in because I believe that the traditional picture of the artist as the quintessential bohemian existing outside of society, marching to the beat of a different drummer, is tempting, but also false. The very act of we artists placing ourselves outside of society is a profound statement about the society we live in.

I don’t want you to take this as an attempt of handing down a list of “Thou Shal Nots” or see it as trying to establish a moral yardstick by which arts should be measured. I just want to appeal to our inner sense of right and wrong. We shouldn’t model our arts in conformity with some set of political and social preconceptions (unless that’s what you want to do). And as you go ahead and create whatever you are inspired to create, you should also think about the model of the society that you are putting forward. Would you want to live there?

71 comments:

Unknown said...

There's sense in what he said!

Anonymous said...

Freeze was right this guy is a total moron

Anonymous said...

Have you heatd linda? Some lady set a maternity suit against bey and jay

Debbie Chelsea said...

My man

Unknown said...

Mr Notice me Etcetera don come again o.
⌣̊┈̥-̶̯͡»̶̥♡thanks ⌣̊┈̥-̶̯͡»̶̥ 

D ROCK said...

This guy don turn FFK thesedays ooo. I don tire for his articles.



Female Student Clemetina Leaks Her Sextape Online.. She Wants Prostitution To Be legalized In Nigeria

www.glowyshoes.com said...

Gettin tired ov hz articles

Pls visit my shoe blog

www.glowysofiscated.blogspot.com

#king said...

ok nice write up..but mr Etc dis doesnt make sense....................................#KingOfKings

www.glowyshoes.com said...

Gettin tired ov hz articles

Pls visiy my shoe blog

www.glowysofiscated.blogspoy.com

juliet said...

No comment

Unknown said...

Nice one bro

Unknown said...

a.k.a EDWIN CHINEDU AZUBUKO said...
.
Bros this is naija and not the US and incase yu dont knw, anything goes in this country.....
.
.
***CURRENTLY IN JUPITER***

jerrytosin2@gmail.com said...

This man and his quotes again. Follow this and make cool money I've tried it and its real its not a scam o LIB readers. http://monthlyyouth.com/?ref=312704

Unknown said...

Life must go on, no matter what happens so 4get plenty talk.

queenreigneth@gmail.com

Unknown said...

Chai! Dis guy can lie. For africa! My dear nobody called u, neither did u anyone abt realeasing an album....u just wan indirectly tell jazzy dat he released an album @ d wrong time. Mgbe obuna ina akogheri....smh

austine ihechukwu said...

On the day of major national disaster nd even with the present ebola scare shebi ppl still dey open shops dey go market, 2 me I dnt tink is being insensitive, we cnt shut down our country totaly, I tink is a personal thing jor

BONARIO NNAGS said...

You couldn't have said it any better brother. This is the reason why I choose to call them entertainers and not celebrities.
To me a celebrity is a person of distinctive character,a role model to many. But over here what we have is a set of insensitive and arrogant bunch, who don't care the impact their behavior have on their teeming follower.
When you command a large number of followers, it will do you and the society so much good to always chew your words before letting them out,coz you're the foolishness and wisdom of many.
Oh! When corrected they'll reply by letting you know how they've made more money than your whole generation.
What we have here are entertainers and not celebrities,who are to a very large extent socially irresponsible.

~BONARIO~says so via NOKIA LUMIA

Bonita Bislam said...

This guy is claiming to be a patriotic Nigerians while the very core of him is filled with bile and frustration.He was in this country when Chibok girls were abducted,why didn't we hear his voice? Where was he when all the bombings and kidnappings were /and is taking place in Nigeria? Why is he attacking only the artists when our common enemies are out there walking freely,instilling fear in us all.Maybe I should remind him that Nigeria is a happy -go -lucky. country with alotta resilience and happiness even in the midst of hardship and suffering.I'm tired of the undue comparison between Nigeria and America.Its not like anybody stopped him from being a succeSsful musician.Enough with the negative write ups biko.He's got great writing skills,why can't he channel it to something positive!

Unknown said...

Nice piece

Unknown said...

I dnt like this guy

Unknown said...

It pains me u write this fine piece 4 dummies dah call u names they dnt deserve to see ur writin pls if u knw ure a dummy skip this is nt 4 u jux wait daddy showkey news #teametc

Anonymous said...

etcetera no dey tire

Anonymous said...

its beautiful to know there are objective writers who are sensitive to the issues plaguing the nation and how we the citizen are nonchalant about it...the cited example about the US isn't disputable.lets rise above mediocrity.

Unknown said...

great article i must say...

Anonymous said...

its beautiful to know there are objective writers who are sensitive to the issues plaguing the nation and how we the citizen are nonchalant about it...

Anonymous said...

ETC A tuo nu bomb ozo oooooo! Hmmn! Akpatoyi just filled my whole body as I was reading through! Lol! U cudnt have said it better! They dont rilli care, bizness is bizness! We as d ppl listening r even a nonchalant bunch! Nigeria may b catching fire now nd we will b using it to crack jokes! D part dat rilli got me was d role model nd advising issue! I dont see d reason y an artist who does a video in a sheer dress, barely covered wud see a teen on d street who is barely covered also nd advice dem on morality! If am dat teen, I go pour u spit!
Btw ETC, stop looking 4 Tiwa's trouble! We all know dat she is one dat harasses policemen always! Lol! Nice writeup nd love d humor! A real bombshell has exploded, get ready to b fired back @! Frozen! Olisa! Tiwa! Etc don drop one ooooooooo!
#our morality is @ d airport bidding us goodbye#





#GozManuel Says#

Anonymous said...

Finally, this guy has written a well- thought through article....while we may have faulted previous articles he may have written, He is right on this one.... Anyone who says the article is too long is biased!

Anonymous said...

Dis guy sha, dorobucci was released 2 -3 hrs b4 d bomb blast, so wot shld jazzy do? To withdraw d song already going viral? Lol ode ni padi yi sha, I think u write uncooked info on purpose to get his attention u desperately crave for

Anonymous said...

Nice one bro!keep up the goodwork!

Unknown said...

I see some senses in what he wrote..

Anonymous said...

He made some sense.. If our celebrities can watch what they sing on their music video, how they behave in public, show off less of their borrowed or gotten wealth and dress properly, that will be nice because young boy and girls watch and idolize them.. I use to think the was some if the celebrities dress when I was younger was hip, only that find out it was all for show..

Ibudeh Steve said...

Thumbs up for this man with a critical eye for wonderful details that must not be ignored.

Anonymous said...

Well said bro

Unknown said...

He aint dumb one bit, and the rate of insensitivity in this country is scary, all they really care abt is their wallet, and why shouldn't they? You listen to our songs without the sounds and all you would hear is "ass, seX, ass, boobs", terrible lyrics, (yansh no get teeth but e de cut shit, wtf is that!) brags which is exactly what the doro song stands for, I am still a fan of the 80's when music made you fink positively, these days their songs make youths want to steal, rape, kill, become flirts, internet fraud, its boring! All the songs just want you to drink, have seX and dance dance dance! None teLls you to fink abt making your society a better place. Its nice to kw we still have less than a handful of sensible artists among the many noise makers.
Bros keep writing, their kids are on their way to a full dose of the society they are creating. To all yall non talents corrupting our kids With the words you say to them daily...just like your songs you will fade away soon....

ary said...

Shut up

Anonymous said...

Well said bro! Our artistes has not inculcate gud moral behaviour in society which has cause decadency in every aspect of our life.

APPLE said...

Etcetera i like you..Slap a Police officer and brag about it, she has no home training, Tiwa i am talking to you, you were not properly brought up at all.

Anonymous said...

Linda I love this guy.one. Day he is goin to be a professor.

Anonymous said...

If you really care to know Mr.Etcetera not all entertainers are in any way responsible.


All Of You Shut The Fuck Up: Dad Got Me Pregnant Doesn't Mean He Didn't Love Me

Anonymous said...

Etcetera is just a waste

Anonymous said...

Yeaa! Yeaa U are very correct on this bro! The social irresponsibility of most artists compared to what they're supposed to examplify has been grossly overlooked!
Uummh "When i mentioned artists responsibility,i am not talking about responsibility of the musician"waoo Etcetera i love those lines,u are toomuch! U are grammatically correct and i love the way u clearified that line b4 they start falling on themselves and saying that Etcetera said they are not responsible whereas it wasn't what u meant! They can be responsible at home but socially irresponsible and insensitive that was what u meant and u are very right on that!and they (artists /musicians)claim to be responsible only when it's gonna be profitable to them like carrying placards with the inscription "bring back our girls"and snaping instagram pose with it for their self gratification! Or making public donations of bounced/dude checks to fellow artists with kidney diseases with NTA fake reporters on standby with media camera men! i don't blame them,Etcetera many of them are living lives of what they're not! Most 9ija artists are living in bondage of false glorified status!
(i'm 9ijaborn yankeebased)

Anonymous said...

Slap a police officer and brag about it? Tiwa that's terrible. smh

Kimmy*****

nikkiebillz said...

Ecetera u are so on point! Tiwa savage slap a police officer,brag about it & still get endorsed by a foolish company.

Unknown said...

It pains me u write this fine piece 4 dummies dah call u names they dnt deserve to see ur writin pls if u knw ure a dummy skip this is nt 4 u jux wait 4 daddy showkey news #teametc

Okoro said...

"Catching" article.

Anonymous said...

Hilary Obiora try borrowing sense cause its obvious you lack it.

Unknown said...

Hmmmm trouble waiting for reply though

ΞS̤̥̈̊Æ«Æ´ kudos said...

I'll read later. Still in sobber reflexion over d heartbreaking Liberia ebola pics.

Anonymous said...

when will people stop boring us with lengthy write ups as if we are in National Confab.Everybody wants to be a writer.
Etcetera make u park well as for u Linda if u no post my comment eh...

Anonymous said...

Etc. Nice.
Apart from the fact that you have found a way of staying relevant in our faces with your bombs, which of course speaks wisdom to the marrows, i'd say you killed truth mixed with substance on this one.
While the vast majority of the critics that will shout you down with comments because obviously they are too ignorant or plain dumb to comprehend or at least appreciate a brilliant piece before criticising, the very few advocates of a better society will still applaud your efforts at redressing the already dead societal issues. The critics that jump on comments for entertainments and to qualify for Linda's Jamboree spree.
Won't you agree that chidinma is under-utilising her God given talents by doing our jogodo dance songs? What about Praizes' Mercy? Is that what he's worth? Waje too, she's been dangling, trying to fit in somewhere. Tiwa nko? She can do way better. Burna boy can do big hit inspirational songs that will sell out worldwide and still remind us of our roots. Have you heard Shaydee, am not sure. What about Wande Coal? Wizkid can't even write nothing more that doesn't include, "wine and dance for me". All for the benjamins, to of course, be advertised on IG. Then the upcoming lads jutst want to make money rather than good music.
To say they are socially irresponsible is romancing the situation and buying out cheap English tenses!
It is Well!
2B246089

Anonymous said...

Enough said. May God bless you brother...

Anonymous said...

Keep writing and do not let any criticism put you down.I always take my time to read your article and the truth is you make alot of sense.

beezy said...

Excreta abi wetin be ur name? Dorobucci was released b4 d bomv blast... same day. I remember vividly cos i downloaded it immediately it was released. Hw were de to know dat d bomb blast wld go off dat day?.

Anonymous said...

Donations to motherless babies and passing for the camera maketh not social responsibility. That is what these artists do and calling your breed out is a very brave thing to do. One point to emphasize is that the attitude you have documented is a reflection of Nigerian society. The artists behavior simply reflects how we now are as a people.

Anonymous said...

Etc well done for this wonderful article, all these so called entertainers from D'banj to Tuface Idibia are not really good role models for our youths, all they stand for is moral decadence, promiscuity, addiction, murder, sex, materialism, rape, etc!!! Linda didn't put up the story of when Tiwa Savage slapped a police officer, even when Libers complained: because Tiwa is her friend!!! Sadly Tiwa has no home training, because if she did, she wouldn't do that... In Nigeria, we are all about the money, no matter what is going on around us, humanity is no longer sacred!!! We promote things that are bad, rather than promote good things, and it is going to take years, before we can repair the damage done: I just really sorry for this generation, I really do!!! Whizman

Anonymous said...

Etc well done for this wonderful article, all these so called entertainers from D'banj to Tuface Idibia are not really good role models for our youths, all they stand for is moral decadence, promiscuity, addiction, murder, sex, materialism, rape, etc!!! Linda didn't put up the story of when Tiwa Savage slapped a police officer, even when Libers complained: because Tiwa is her friend!!! Sadly Tiwa has no home training, because if she did, she wouldn't do that... In Nigeria, we are all about the money, no matter what is going on around us, humanity is no longer sacred!!! We promote things that are bad, rather than promote good things, and it is going to take years, before we can repair the damage done: I just really sorry for this generation, I really do!!! Whizman

Anonymous said...

YES! Nigerian entertainers are socially irresponsible and selfish. I am yet to see any of them stage a show to raise funds for ebola, or malaria, or cholera or polio or to help the plight of the poor. Instead, they stage shows to promote brandy, beer, alcohol, smirnoff, whatever brand of alcohol out there. So, you guys have always been selfish. The likes of U2 have been campaigning for the eradication of malaria in Africa. P-Square dey buy new motor every 6 months.

Ada said...

U are so on point.

Ada said...

This guy is making a whole lot of sense. How many of our artistes are socially responsible?? What they do is to impregnate gurls before marriage. Wonder if they are just out to test the quality of de goods. The kind of vulgar words they use in their songs makes you wonder the extent of their reasoning. That's why those songs no matter how interesting they are fades into thin air within a short period of time.
All through my 19yrs of age, I still cannot pinpoint any of them that I can look up to as a role model. I wish they can start reasoning better.

Anonymous said...

Linda, these massive chunks of text are hard to read. The return key is your friend.

Anonymous said...

*sigh* She has come again

Anonymous said...

Thank you(3ce). A lot of people think material accumulation is a sign that you must be doing something right. Which is why when these entertainers are reprimanded, usually their first action is to compare their wealth to the person doing the reprimanding. Saying, what's wrong with what I did if I was able to sell a million copies, or earn so and so amount? This perception of success or right doing is problematic.

Then again, I don't blame the entertainers but us who do not have the common sense to see things for what they are. If we, the consumers of this filth that is called entertainment today, can change the demand.., supply will ultimately be changed.

Anonymous said...

one afternoon all 4 songs I listened to had wine ur waist, ukwu, shake it and roll it and I began to question the singers intent at being musicians. We need nation builders not ignorant destroyers. Ecetera has said the extra truth.

Anonymous said...

It's a shame a lot of Nigerias have selective reading.. Am sure more than 70% of pple who have commented didn't read the piece to the end and have have made up their mind just bcos it's etc writing...

Anonymous said...

He's articles actually tell alot of truth. Nigerians, unfortunately hate hearing the truth. Nigerian music artistes are terrible lyrists, copycats,same beat,promote social vices/prostitution and chronic autotune users...lazy.

Eagle Eyes Media said...

I think he has written many wonderful pieces!

nsi..CAN! said...

..Ur landlord was so right abt u..u are a COMPLETE moron#

nsi..CAN! said...

Dats cos..u dnt read#

nsi..CAN! said...

Jst like im gettin tired of ur shoe-blog#

ZeeZee said...

They may call him a failed artist all they want, but this man is a very articulate writer - and he writes the TRUTH that so many do not want to hear - May God bless you and people learn from him that if one door closes another opens - his writings are getting attention - from this peice and a few others Linda has previously featured - I am now interested... But Linda I know exactly why you featured this - it has very extensive reference and criticism to Tiwa savage - its either you are throwing shade at her (since she did not invite you to her wedding) or you're tryig to get her to respond - either way you are a sly person

blaque pearl said...

excess sense!! very poignant piece

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