Renowned Nigerian singer, Korede Bello has recently expressed his concerns about the impact of young artists in Nigeria on the music industry.
According to Bello, the rise of young artists in Nigeria has led to a noticeable decline in the quality of music emerging from the country.
The 28-year-old artist shared his perspective on the issue. Bello pointed out that many young artists in Nigeria lack the necessary experience to produce high-quality music.
“When you start to have young artistes in Nigeria blowing up, the quality of the music starts to reduce because they don’t have quality experiences. They don’t know how to live yet. Young people don’t yet know how to live, they just know that they are living. They want to live large, so that’s what they’re going to sing about.”
Koredo Bello
He contrasted the current trend with older Nigerian musicians like African China, Timaya, and Fela Kuti, who have drawn from their rich experiences to create music that reflects real-life struggles and stories.
Meanwhile, Korede Bello has also shared his views on the value of music awards versus making a positive impact through music.
He stated that while winning a Grammy is an honor, the true goal for artists should be to make people happy through their music.
Koredo Bello recently questioned whether Nigerian artists should rely on foreign awards like the Grammys for validation. He emphasized that rewards, such as economic success or return on investment, are preferable to awards.
“There is a common pidgin saying that can loosely be translated to mean, it is where one works that one will eat. Part of the things we eat as artists is validation for our art. Validation for making great art is good.
“And, that can be very inspirational for others to make better art. When an artist makes it to the nomination list of a prestigious award, they are already winners in my opinion.”
Koredo Bello
The ‘God Win’ hitmaker, however, noted that every other thing is subjective, adding that he believes in rewards over awards.
“Rewards can come in the form of commercial success or returns on investment. That way, one knows that the quality of what one puts in is what will determine what one will get. Awards are good, but knowing that one’s art makes many people happy is a better feeling.”
Koredo Bello
Regarding inspiration, Bello mentioned that he draws creativity from various sources, including pain.
“As far as I am concerned, there is no place that is too weird to get inspiration from. Everything is art, and everything can be inspirational. Pain is a beautiful place to create art from. As a matter of fact, this question is already giving me inspiration for a new song. Is that weird?”
Koredo Bello
Why Koredo Bello Left Mavin Records
Korede Bello revealed that his departure from Mavins Records was motivated by the need for personal growth and self-reflection, highlighting the pressures artists face in the industry that can distract them from their true passions.
He revealed that his exit in 2021 was primarily motivated by a desire for personal growth and self-reflection.
Bello, known for his hit song “Godwin,” expressed that he reached a point in his career where he felt more like a product designed to generate profits for the label rather than an artist. “I was at a season in my life where I needed to metamorphose, to explore my inner worth, and understand my purpose,” he stated.
The artist emphasized the pressure in the music industry to continually produce hits and maintain relevance, which can often lead artists to lose sight of their true passions and values.
He remarked, “You lose sight of what matters when you chase after the next hit or whatever can get you into conversations. Many artists become addicted to that cycle.”
Bello’s reflections highlight the challenges faced by many musicians as they navigate the demands of the industry.
His journey toward self-discovery and understanding underscores the importance of reconnecting with one’s artistic vision, urging others in the industry to prioritize personal fulfillment over commercial success.
