Nigerian musicains
After their botched plan to take over the leadership of PMAN or at least get elected into elective positions in PMAN last week Wednesday January 26 in Osogbo at the PMAN’s new election that returned Admiral Dele Abiodun into office as President of the association, the new generation acts, predominantly of the hip-hop genre gathered together on Monday January 31 in Lagos in order to come up with a new association that will represent them adequately well. One of the names suggested for the new association is Nigerian Artistes Alliance (NAA).
The list of the artistes in attendance was endless. Present at the gathering were D’Banj, P-Square, MI, Eldee, Sound Sultan, Baba Dee, Azadus, Darey, Jesse Jagz, Dr. Sid, Dekunle Fuji, Blaise, ID Cabasa, K-Solo, Docta Frabz, KSB, Weird MC, Side One, Jah Bless, Steel, Banky W, Rooftop MCs, Nomoreloss and so many others. Journalists and various observers were also present at the gathering.
The main speakers at the gathering were MI, Eldee, Sound Sultan, Paul of P-Square, KSB, Weird MC, Nomoreloss and few other contributors. The agitation was that PMAN has failed them and the need for a parallel association to rival PMAN.
In their speeches, the musicians insisted that the lack of structure of the music industry has been denying them access to their rights and priviledges as artistes. They are now clamouring for a new umbrella which will protect their rights as artistes.
The new association is touted to protect the interest of the artistes in the aspect of airplay, which means that radio stations or any other broadcast media including restaurants and bars will pay for the music they use. There will be free legal advice to every member of the association and opportunities to participate in different concerts across the country.
The interim executives of the association are the following artistes: Eldee, MI, Sound Sultan, Efe Omorogbe, KSB, Don Jazzy, Banky W, Jude Okoye, Mr. Kool and Jatto.
Speaking with Rhythms and Sounds shortly after the meeting, Eldee and MI revealed that they are working on an enduring structure for the organization. “Some of us are financing this project for now so that it can work and produce the desired results. We will get all the data base of various artistes across the country and make sure the right of every artistes are protected”, they said.
Problems The New Association May Encounter
The artistes who disagree with the new coalition including some observers said there can never be another body for musicians in Nigeria except PMAN. Their reasons being that PMAN is the only recognized registered union for Nigerian musicians.
Some members of Fuji Musicians Association of Nigeria (FUMAN) said their association will not be part of any other union aside PMAN. They challenged most of the acts that were present at Osogbo to present their PMAN membership cards as a legal performing artiste in Nigeria. They claimed that it is illegal for any body to be identified as an artiste in Nigeria without being a member of PMAN not to talk of being an executive member. They however advised the new generation artistes to limit the association to hip-hop music alone, which will still be answerable to PMAN.
The obesrevers at the the gathering too were quick to add their own suggestions after the meeting. They advised some of the executive members to enjoin all their members to join PMAN and participate in all their activities. Through this, some of them will vie for elective positions after tolerating their supposed misrule for a little period.
Tony Okoroji’S Role
Former PMAN President, Tony Okoroji is said to be one of those behind the new movement.
During the inaugural meeting on Monday January 31, Okoroji said publicly that PMAN has failed the Nigerian artistes. “PMAN is currently a shadow of itself. The present leadership of PMAN has failed the performing artistes in Nigeria. I was the PMAN President at the age of 29, looking very active and articulate. The leadership of PMAN should give the younger generations a chance to take over the leadership of the association”.
Some observers at the gathering however faulted Okoroji’s intention. He was described as a smart businessman. Their reasons was that, The Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) which Okoroji is the chairman is being proposed to be in charge of the collection of royalties of all the artistes in the new association.
PMAN’s Reaction
The President of PMAN, Admiral Dele Abiodun spoke to Rhythms & Sounds on the rights of the artistes to form an association. “It is allowed under the constitution of PMAN to form an association but the Federal Government will never recognize them as union. They are free to form their own association but the association will still be answerable to PMAN. There are other associations’ outhere like FUMAN, GOMAN and others.” he explained.
On the role of the former president of PMAN, Tony Okoroji in the current brouhaha, Abiodun expressed disappointment at Okoroji’s conduct. “I expected Okoroji to have educated the artistes about the constitution of PMAN before bringing them to Osogbo since he was once the former president of the union. I was surprised at his conduct in Osogbo during the election asking us to give the young acts a chance to run the union. According to PMAN’s constitution, you need to be an active member of PMAN for at least one year before you can vie for any elective position. Most of the artistes he came with to take over the union are not even registered members of PMAN. We understand Okoroji’s fear but he is going about it the wrong way. He is afraid of the future and is therefore looking for an alternative to COSON. PMAN does not have any problem with the young artistes. They are all welcome because the union belongs to all Nigerian artistes”, he concluded.
