No More P-Square!!!! (Post #3)

I attended the Hip Hop World Awards held recently in Lagos. While there were many hiccups (venue was too small etc.), it generally went well. I was proud of what Ayo Animashaun and his team had put in place. I’m always fascinated by the “creators” amongst us; how they dream and bring their dreams into reality, creating this “thing”, this “substance” that never was before but alas that is another blog post…. This particular post is an attempt to put into words my utter disgust and the shame I feel for Peter & Paul of PSquare and their brother Jude. So they were up for something like 5 awards this year and won none of them but what do they do??? They start railing and complaining to any press that will listen that it was cheating and so on and so forth. What actually particularly disgusts me is Jude saying “it might have well been called the Yoruba Hip Hop World Awards…” I mean how juvenile and stupid can you get??? See I hate even responding to things like that because there are so many things wrong with that statement and attitude that I don’t even know where to start.

First I’m very disappointed that these guys are tribalists and they’ve let their real selves be shown. What a limiting way to view the world and to view your achievements. We are supposed to be the new generation who doesn’t think like our parents and who believe in one Nigeria while still taking pride in our roots and culture. What is a Yoruba Hip Hop World Awards anyway??? Did he feel stupid saying that? I mean if it were a fuji awards ceremony I’d say okay, maybe, but Hip Hop? I feel idiotic even considering his words I can only imagine how he felt thinking it. I always marvel at how people come up with these ideas as if all Yoruba people got together under some sort of conspiracy to rob PSquare of awards. Pleeease, get over it. I would feel insulted if I didn’t first feel ashamed for these guys.

Second, let’s even take a look at the category that’s causing all the confusion. Best Music Video. For some reason PSquare reasons that because they spent all their savings to go to South Africa to shoot their video in 35mm then that automatically makes their video the baddest video in the land. Even to the extent of calling Jimmy Jatt’s video Stylee “trash”…..trash? I know many people have varying opinions of who they thought shoulda won the award but I actually truly liked Stylee and voted for it to win and all we need are just a few more people that think just like me. Presto! I’d like to think that my opinions are valid too abi? I saw both videos and the Do Me video actually made me NOT like that song. I had bought the cd and liked the song beforehand but when I saw the video, I was less than entertained, I was bored. Is it because you have oyinbo girls in it gyrating in a non-talented manner or the belly dancers? Or the chain of uninspired mono dance moves the guys were exhibiting? I’d pick TY Bello’s Greenland or Asa’s Fire on the Mountain over it ANYDAY, talk less of Stylee. I mean Psquare just had no prayer. They should also get over this and actually conceptualize next time.

Thirdly, Peter and Paul won 5 freaking awards last year! I don’t get it. Was it the Igbo Hip Hop World Awards last year cuz I missed that. They didn’t complain o! These guys are arrogant, petty, short-sighted, sore losers. Bad. Bad. Bad. More so, I was reading the This Day article by Ayeni Adekunle (which actually inspired this post) and I noticed that a pattern with PSquare was evident. A pattern of being sore losers, a pattern of arrogance without merit. They complained about not winning the MOBO, they complained about not winning the MTV EMA, they complained about not winning HHWA. Indeed like Ayeni said they need to learn graciousness and humility but I’m afraid with former fans like myself, it’s a little too late. They should go and cue up in the hot sun with the thousands of their mates for a gmat test for that Oceanic job and take that time to think of what a priviledge it is to be doing what you love to do and making money at it. How many of those guys cueing would love to be dancing to sampled old tracks and getting paid for it………..shame!

HHWA Winners List 2008

Album of The Year – Asa
Artiste of the Year – Dbanj
Song of the Year – Yahoozee
Recording of the Year – Bibanke (Asa)
Best Music Video – DJ T (Stylee)
Best R&B/Pop Album – Grass to Grace
Best Rap Album – Ruggedy Baba
Best Dancehall – True Story (Timaya)
HHW Revelation – 9ice
HHW Next Rated – Wande Coal
Best Vocal Performance Male – 9ice
Best Vocal Performance Female - Asa
Best Rap Single – MI
Lyricist on The Roll – ModeNine
Best African Act – Batman (Ghana)
Best Collabo – Stylee
Producer of the Year – Cobhams Asuquo