Veteran music producer, ID Cabasa has blamed the older generation of Juju and Fuji music artistes for the decline in production of the genre, noting that they have effortlessly allowed Afro-Pop overthrow the indigenous genre as a whole.
During the ongoing 7th Edition of “Ariya Repete” – an indigenous music talent hunt show to celebrate talents in South-western Nigeria – on which ID Cabasa is one of the panellists, he noted a large turnout of Afro-pop artistes than the traditional Fuji or Juju musicians.
“Many of these musicians will hardly be found on social media, not even Facebook. In this modern era where people are making huge amount of money on the internet. There is so much money to be made when your music is digitalized than in the local market,” ID Cabasa shared.
The producer also noted another problem affecting the genre to the undue criticism mete out on many upcoming acts by the older musicians.
“They are not free to display their creativity in front of the legendary panellists. Many young Fuji/Juju musicians are actually playing the genre in a stylish way which I expect their role model or elderly ones to at least encourage them but no. Unlike hip hop, nobody is going to direct or tell you how to play it and they get endorsement deal or signed based on freestyle creative. I think they should be free. It is not a must the up and coming acts sing the same pattern the old ones play their music in 70s or 80s. Music is evolving,” he added.
