Why Music Awards Don’t Move Me – Beautiful Nubia

By Paul Dada

Segun Akinlolu popularly known as Beautiful Nubia, is a Nigerian-born songwriter, music composer and band leader. He is a foremost performer of contemporary folk music. In this interview with

P.M News Deputy Editor Paul Dada,

he shares insights about his kind of music, why he does not care about awards which other artists crave.

I have followed your music for years. And I see that it is markedly different from other kinds of music in Nigeria. How would you describe your kind of music?

For want of a more appropriate label, we have called it “Folk and Roots” over the years. Folk, because it takes its main inspiration from traditional folk rhythms; Roots, because it reflects the roots of many modern genres of music and aims to take us “back to our roots”.

What is the message you seek to pass through your music?

Our message is universal in thrust and theme: value life, respect nature and learn to live in peace with others. Our music speaks for the voiceless and champions the dream of a balanced society where individuals are truly free and equal. It preaches love and tolerance but also urges people to stand and defend their rights when trampled upon anywhere in the world.

It seems to me that you are not really bothered with winning the big awards such as the Grammy Awards. What do you have to say about this?

I have never been one to give much weight to awards. I have always said awards are subjective and dependent on the whims of those giving it and so should never be overvalued by artists. I have also stated, over the years, that I do not play music for awards or similar recognition. To me, the people’s love and patronage is the biggest award and I have received that. But I do agree that awards play a very important role in an artist’s career, as a marketing tool, especially when you are just finding your feet and lacking in believers. An award throws a beam of light on you and makes people look at you in a different way. When an artist has done all the hard and preparatory work and is ready for his moment, a timely award can make all the difference. So, awards are useful, they just don’t really mean that much to me at this stage in my career.

How do you get inspiration for your compositions?

Inspiration comes in several ways. Some of my songs come almost fully formed with all the words and melody in place – for example, “Seven Lifes” which I wrote one evening after a stroll while I was a student at the University of Ibadan in 1989. Others come as basic melodies onto which I later add lyrics. Several started out as poems and became songs once I layered on some melody. Some are finished in less than one hour; some take years – for example, I wrote the main Yoruba part of “What A Feeling!” in 1984 while in high school but it took me another 10 years to compose the English chorus and another 5 years to write the concluding Yoruba part. I prefer to write when the impulse comes, but I am sometimes approached to write on demand. I do not like to work under such pressure, but two of my most famous songs, “Owuro L’ojo” and “Ikoko Akufo” came from that process. Some tunes come to me while I am asleep; so many arrive while I am taking my habitual leisure walk; some come from virtual thin air; and others are inspired by things going on around me. I do not try to write what I think people will like, I write whatever comes to me, I write what I like.

Your music is characterised by serious orchestration. Do you insist that all your instrumentalists must understand how to read sheet music?

No, not at all, but it’s important to have some understanding of music theory. That makes things go a bit more efficiently and fluently.

When did you go into music and what informed the choice of your genre?

I started writing songs down in a notebook in 1981, recorded my first demo tape in 1994, released my first album in 1997 and have been on this path since then. The sound you hear now was in incubation for a long time. I told myself from the outset that I would only make the kind of music that would enrich people’s minds and lives; the kind that aids the positive development of society; the kind that would move your mind and your body.

In days of yore, Nigerian singers and musicians used their art to enlighten the public, criticize government policy, crusade against injustice. It seems that the focus has shifted to lighter issues such as sex. What do you think is responsible for this shift?

Perhaps, this is a reflection of the state of society or a manifestation of the direction the Media has steered the populace in recent years? However, I am sure there are many artists talking about more serious issues in their music, they are just not getting that much Media and public attention. This cannot and must not distract folks like us from doing what we do. We carry on doggedly and resolutely; when the people are ready for change, the positive music and messages will be waiting for them.

How many albums have you released?

40 albums (over 500 tracks)