How Port-Harcourt Has Become The Next Best Music Hub in Nigeria, After Lagos.
The fact can be that enviable as Port-Harcourt creators are special to consider, with the treasures they posses and the edgy nature of their prowess.
Over the years Lagos has become the biggest entertainment hub in Africa, through a variety of multi-talented folks that has been refined and given the opportunities to showcase, create art, and grace the myraid lights of stages both on national and International spaces, the Lagos music sector have grown rapidly, and has stood the test of time enough, as the frontier of it all. Lagos is the center stage.
Beginning from the likes of legends, Fela Kuti, Shina Peters, Raskimono, Majek Fashek, Sunny Ade and a host of others who've laid certain level of influence and support to see the Lagos entertainment sector thrive, even before the elders of the Nigerian music industry caught up with the stint to develop the visions and embolden them for the vanguard's to get caught up with them, as the elders of Nigerian music industry continued to raise the bar high enough for the vanguard's to break through the limits, now the new generations have arrived, only relating with the visions towards an upward trajectory of the industry's transition in quote. All this development and evolution has continued to thrive in the Lagos State entertainment industry.
The likes of elders,Tuface, Banky W, Donjazzy, Dbanj, Wande Coal, culminating the Mohits in between as well as the Plantashun Boiz, 9ice, Faze, Eldee, Kelly Handsome, and many more, delight in the music and have been engraved as the industry elders who have passed on the banton alongside the visions on a long run to the vanguard's to embolden. The likes of Wizkid, Davido, Burnaboy, Tiwa Savage, Tekno, even Mr. Eazi, and many more of them in their numbers have expanded the culture's range, and is seeing it go to the hands of the new generation acts, who have come to amplify and set the pace apart for the entire cultural taste to become more appealing. They yearn to reach for the bigger heights, where the stars in global music exists in.
The Port-Harcourt entertainment industry, is also a range of super talented folks who rose to nationwide limelight only to set the pace for the industry to thrive, yet, alot of evolution have taken cause lately, as the recent story of Port-harcourt's music and entertainment industry culminates a range of star-studded treaks. In the beginning, Duncan Mighty's effort was as strong as ever, even the incredible Mr. 2kay and Mkaze, as well as MTriella in the hip-hop scene back then when he also went further to earn a variety of recognition in the continent, thereby putting his city on the frontiers as well.
Other great stars also includes, Frank De Nero, Sky B, Waconzy, LeriQ, Ijawboys all stars, Timaya, and a host of others who's artistry and works have been archived in the history books of Port-Harcourt music and entertainment industry. Julius The Genius Agwu, as well as Dan D Humorous, Arinze Baba, and others in the extraordinary comic scene, have entirely shaped the culture of comic bedrock right from the city. The evolution has continued to establish as new waves of talents are been poured in, even some yet to be refined as many others are conquering spaces right from the southern part of Nigeria and unto creating rippling effect and a huge impact in the western parts of the country, and beyond, the Nigerian music spaces.
Today, the Portharcourt entertainment industry has begun to build upon a bed rock of value that is to enlighten and help upcoming stars breed and develop the creative skills they posses. The South South Media Week, is a part of the bedrock established to build and develop a concrete foundation for creatives of the city.
"The Listening Party", every last Wednesday of every month holds in Micheal's Garden where acts are given opportunities to showcase musical talents, reaching a range of demography that might find interest in what they curate. The Listening Party as well, have begun to assist the rapid and organic growth of the music industry in Port-Harcourt. Expansion is on the brink.
The Port-harcourt music industry has also proofed a point that is unarguable; producing one of the best new generation acts, Omah Lay, as well as Ajebo Hustlers and 1dabanton who've been taking over the airwaves in the Nigerian music industry, and even beyond. The Grammy award winning Burna Boy, and LeriQ have continued to grow relentless, refuting weariness in creating a row of art with consistency and have taken pride in using star power to influence greatly.
Burna Boy believes he is the biggest in all the ends of Africa, and he proofs it by conquering international spaces, selling the O2 Arena in London for his Spaceship Tour alongside the new generation acts. Burna Boy has curated a successful story to motivate a range of stars and that comes with his city at heart by helping each creative, showcase their creativity range right as they put the city on the map as well.
The fact can be that enviable as Port-Harcourt creators are special to consider, with the treasures they posses and the edgy nature of their prowess.
Duncan mighty's rebirth, is undeniable. He was one of the most featured Nigerian singers in 2019. He rose & took everyone by surprise; earned himself to the top of critical acclaim. His talents serve as a spicy recipe to taste & enjoy on, it gives a special flavor.
His effort on Wizkid's "Fake Love" was strong & handy relishing, alongside his delivery on Tiwa Savage's stupendous "Lova Lova", including a range of other records he was on that received his ingenius penchant ability which is perfect enough. Even on 1da Banton's debut album.
Duncan has laid a trademark in his city as well, earned himself a moniker that serves him right. He is the Port-harcourt's first son. No doubt. He has worked hard enough and deserves every glorying that comes with it.
He is doing absolutely well and have retained apt tracks alongside his golden name. And with the vanguard's and new generation curators in the scene, he has contributed his talents in the music they've curated. His most recent feat alongside Burna Boy, is another big sign of how the city has become the next music hub in Nigeria, after Lagos, as Port-Harcourt has taken pride to represent in genuine ways.
Timaya is doing well in between. Though he is Bayelsan, yet, was a the kind raised from the Garden city fully before he left for Lagos to chase his career in music after he dropped out from college. He released his 7th studio album, 'Gratitude', last year and have been up and doing good as to putting the city on the map as well as the other new generation acts who've continued to proof how adept and lustrous they're. The likes of Dr. Barz, Siki, Swiss Horsfall, Dandizzy, Timi Kei, Kenehimself, Illgod, Kella Kay, Benjiszzy Zaaki, and many others who have been riding through the same path to reign; most of them have taken up their influence beyond the Port-harcourt's music industry that have begun thriving.
Portharcourt has been ready. The city has been preparing & today the talents they bear have also begun to grace the biggest stages. Omah Lay, performed at the O2 Arena in London few days ago after Burna Boy sold out the center and made an official introduction for his appearance.
The audience connected to the music and they embellished love upon him. Your most beloved Lay, is full grown Port-Harcourt, as there are other stars burgeoning to take the lift up, high enough to reach beyond the moon.
Port-Harcourt is on the verge to become Africa's next music hub after Lagos. Ph has been carving out to be the hub to scout the best talents Africans must have to reckon with, as to look out for what next that is fresh & new to lay them as what they should expect.
Omah Lay, even performed at the Yam Festival in London as well as other vanguards and new generation curators in Nigeria, who took the center spotlight, in between. With that successful movement and stride alone we believe it could be another stronger sign, and a deliberate effort showing the hard-work that the city has been laying. And that as well, you should believe that the time is ripe for the Garden City to reap the fruits her predecessors have planted long before now. Long in time past as Port-Harcourt is unarguably, the next music hub after Lagos. They're taking over.