The cumulative success of the Nigerian music industry in the last ten years is that it was able to establish itself as the envy of the contemporary African popular music industry. This has translated to a towering pride in the minds of the Nigerian music fans. This leading status can be sustained only by a steady emergence of new stars. When this is not happening, the Nigerian fan becomes concerned. After a period of drought, the apprehension in the minds of the fans ended with the emergence of Waconzy.
Had I taken time to review Waconzy’s music immediately he came out, I would have subsequently regretted my action. This is because it took me time to fully come to comprehend and appreciate his music. I thank Heavens for this delay.
It is occasionally sensible to judge a thing by the general opinion of the people. Waconzy’s song I celebrate lingered on the top of the Nigerian music chats for an unusually longer period than most big stars in the country ever did. A veteran DJ of Peace FM Jos, Jeffery Isaac, it sometimes compelled by popular demand to play I celebrate more than once in a single show, usually the Friday Pop Trucking. On Friday 17th June the MTN music chat again ended with I celebrate at the top of the chat.
From I celebrate, the sound pattern of the bass guitar classifies Waconzy’s song between Highlife and Reggae. This is typical of artists from the south-eastern part of the country. Waconzy appears to allow his life experiences to write his song which is the easiest way to write intelligent and successful songs as music fans will be able to relate well with one’s works. The lyrical pattern is complex in the sense that it is difficult to differentiate between the chorus and the stanzas. In the song, the artist adds an exotic feel with a saxophone that gets one wondering who mentored him.
If I have to change anything in the song however, I would replace the vernacular in the chorus of the song with either plain English or at least the Nigerian cultural English better known as Pidgin English. The vernacular is too heavy and appears to repel anyone who don’t understand what is been said.
Whether Waconzy will stand the test of time like the Tufaces and the P-Squares remains to be seen
