By ULOKA, Chibuike
Sometimes I wonder what’s wrong with Nigerians and the way we think. There’s definitely something off.
I still do not understand the debate surrounding the trending sound and lyrics of Mike Ejeagha’s folklore, and how Brain Jotter’s efforts to reintroduce Mike to the limelight are being questioned. Some argue that Mike Ejeagharibe was already popular and that his sound surpassed Brain Jotter’s numbers. To me, these arguments lack common sense.
Yes, Mike Ejeagha was popular in his time, and his unique folktale style resonated with his generation. However, the younger generation no longer shows much interest in folktales. These stories were significant to our parents and their ancestors, but today’s internet age has created new ways of story telling, music genre they appreciate and building communities.
We should respect Brain Jotter for finding a way to reintroduce a once-popular music genre through his comedy and skits. This effort revitalized the sound, giving it new value among the younger generation and evoking nostalgia for those who had long forgotten Mike Ejeagha and his folktales.
It took Brain Jotter’s creativity and mastery of modern tools to resurrect appreciation for Mike Ejeagha’s once-popular tracks, which had faded with time. There’s no need for further debate over who contributed what, as such arguments only undermine the achievements of both generations.
Due to the limited reach of the past, many talents like Mike Ejeagha’s were not fully realized. We should be grateful that Brain Jotter is helping Mike Ejeagha revive his creativity when many thought it was forgotten.
The high numbers for Brain Jotter can be attributed to the mixed generations that appreciate both his creativity and Mike Ejeagha’s timeless talent. Beyond the particular sound promoted by Brain Jotter, can anyone point to other of Mike Ejeagha’s many sounds that’s trending currently? The folktale about the Elephant and the Turtle is one that many generations will continue to appreciate when it’s appropriately adapted to their times just as Brain Jotter has done with the Generation Z. If the current generation claims that Brain Jotter made the sound and Mike Ejeagha popular, they are only reflecting their own time, not Mike’s era. They were not around when Mike Ejeagha was at his peak, and his efforts were not as recognized then as today’s artists like Davido, Burna Boy, and Shallipoppi.
Time and moment will always reign Supreme.
Brain Jotter deserves his due recognition and accolades; he has earned them all.
ULOKA, Chibuike is a public commentator, policy analyst, PR expert and member, Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR)
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