WITH “ARIYA EKO”, THE FUTURE OF NIGERIAN MUSIC INDUSTRY IS BRIGHT – Event coordinator; Bimbo Esho
Easy going Bimbo Esho is an OSUN CITIZEN, but was born and bred in Lagos state. She attended Aboa International private School, then proceeded to Mayflower Primary School then later had her secondary school education.
She is from a Christian background, having a grandfather who was one of the early founders of The Christ Apostolic Church (CAC).
She is the Managing Director of Evergreen Musical Company. Evergreen is the initiator of Ariya Eko Music Festival and she is the Event Coordinator working with project consultants in the diaspora including Malio Entertainment, African Contemporary Art and others.
In this interview with Osun Citizen’s Executive Editor; Dotun Olanibi, she spoke about the much anticipated “ARIYA EKO MUSIC FESTIVAL” taking us through the conceptualisation, objectives, sponsorships, projections alongside other issues.
Enjoy reading…
How did the idea of “ARIYA EKO” come about?
The idea became necessary because of the continuous decline in music that is truly ours ie Juju, Fuji, Highlife, Sakara, Agidigbo, Waka , Afrobeat, Folk etc Also the demise of many indigenous musicians has left the indigenous music industry in a semi comatose shape. Also the decline in the use of liveband and local instruments. We believe that as Africans, we have a musical identity and this event to us is an avenues to showcase and revive the true African spirit in creating an identity.
Eko is Lagos as we all know, why “ARIYA EKO MUSIC FESTIVAL” and not “ARIYA ABEOKUTA”, “ARIYA IBADAN”, “ARIYA OSOGBO” or “ARIYA ILORIN”?
Wow nice question. Lagos as we all know is a place where everybody come for fruit that rejuvenate and without mincing words, a melting point of Ariya ,Faaji, Fun.
I am not sure if any popular artiste today became popular without singing on the soil of Lagos or connecting to the Lagos root.
This particular name is for Lagos alone but we are hopeful that if other States buy into this concept like His Excellency Babajide Sanwo Olu did, we shall be ready to spread our tentacles to all States in Nigeria.
It was “FAAJI AGBA EKO” last year, it’s “ARIYA EKO” this year, so is it going to be an annual event with different titles or what should we expect?
The concept of Faaji Agba Eko was a rescue to celebrate Lagos Music, particularly to create a concept that the elders will be in tune with since many of the music festivals in Nigeria seems to have relegated them to the background without considering the fact that they have music mind.
The Ariya Eko is all encompassing for both old and young.
What does the organizer of the event; EVERGREEN MUSICAL COMPANY intend to achieve with this project?
The event is borne out of the need to make every African man think inwards that they have a musical root and identity, hence they should promote and preserve for posterity.
This is a multimillion naira investment and with the look of things, the organizer is more interested in the projection of the core objectives of the project than the monetary aspect, so what happens to ROI (return on investment)?
We are happy that the Lagos State Government have bought into this concept as partners so we are hopeful that other stakeholders will support same.
Hence, we hope that proceeds from this concert over time will be used to set up a EVERGREEN MUSIC HALL OF FAME that will be a public museum space where the story of every Nigerian musician home and abroad will be told in pictures, relics and audio visuals.
How do you select participants, especially artistes you’re featuring?
There is really no criteria for selection but what is key is that such an artiste must have been in the Industry whether celebrated or uncelebrated for some years. He or she must also be able to feature with live band and must have songs that is truly ours and can stand the test of time.
Is this project a mainly “YORUBA” music industry thing, because the medium of delivery of artistes billed to perform this year is basically YORUBA plus how do you intend to expand the horizon?
Music is universal hence we can’t relegate it to only Yoruba music. Having said that, many musicians even of old that made their mark felt in Lagos are from different ethnic group, like Victor Uwaifo , Bright Chimeze, Rex Lawson ,etc, I think it is just a coincidence though we have artistes like Victor Uwaifo, Tee Mac, Helen Ibe ,they are not Yorubas.
What should entertainment lovers be expecting at this year’s event?
It will be a blast as it is a star studded event that will feature popular music icons like Ebenezer Obey who will be inducted into the Evergreen Music Hall of Fame, Sir Shina Peters Lifetime achievement award and 30 years celebration of his ace album, Tee Mac, Victor Uwaifo , Yinka Davies , Jimi Solanke, will also be at the event which will also feature other artistes like Buga ,Ibitayo Jeje, Segun Blessing, Omileyan, Vector, Sola Vibrator,, Helen Ibe , Dollarz, Wasiu Oseni Ejire, Eko Brass Band and others.
YORUBAS are people known to be living in different parts of the world and wherever they go, they take their music and instruments with them, how will this project help unite YORUBAS home and the ones residing abroad?
The strongest tool that has been known to connect people together from all over the world is music. This project is an effortless way of using music to connect to Yorubas all over especially those who are also into Indigenous music and also music lovers all over the world who crave to stay connected to their roots.
We all know that hip hop has taken over the music industry in Nigeria because the top players in the sector who are the youths believe they can make quick money doing hip hop, this has adversely affected the indigenous music. So, what will you say is the future of Nigerian indigenous music?
With Ariya Eko the future is bright as it is no more news that many of today’s youths particularly hiphop artistes infuse many of these songs, effortlessly displayed in their songs.