Nigerian singer Bella Shmurda has called on fellow artists to prioritize creating purposeful music and living exemplary lifestyles worthy of emulation, expressing concern that the industry has adopted negative influences from Western music culture.
Speaking on a recent episode of the Afrobeats Intelligence podcast, Shmurda criticized the growing emphasis on materialism in Nigeria's music scene, challenging his colleagues to focus on building meaningful legacies rather than showcasing luxury items.
"Many in the music industry are not on their own lane. The industry has made everybody, you know, our industry now is now a shine shine thing. Everybody is copying American hip-hop lifestyles, purchasing expensive jewellery and exotic cars," Shmurda stated.
Impact on Young Artists
The "Vision 2020" hitmaker expressed particular concern about how these materialistic displays affect aspiring musicians, noting that such behavior makes young artists "lose their purpose" in the industry.
"You need to have a reason for doing music aside from material things. There is no rollout plan from some artists now without them flaunting their cars and jewellery. There is no reason. You are not giving the younger ones reason to do music," he emphasized.
Shmurda revealed that he personally stopped wearing jewelry after realizing it didn't align with his artistic purpose. "I felt like that's not my purpose. I came out with 'Vision 2020.' And that's the vision. That's a song with purpose," he added.
Legacy Over Luxury
The singer's comments highlight a growing conversation about substance and longevity in Nigeria's booming music industry. Shmurda questioned what impact current artists are making beyond commercial success.
"What impact do you want to make? Because in the long run, we call this thing legacy. What legacy are we leaving for these people?" he questioned, suggesting that many artists are focused solely on fame without considering their broader influence.
This isn't the first time Shmurda has spoken about the music industry's challenges. In previous interviews, he has discussed financial stability among artists and his own journey in finding his authentic voice in the industry.
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