Nigerian rapper and singer Erigga has voiced his frustration over what he describes as Nigerians’ tendency to celebrate foreign entertainers while neglecting homegrown talent.
Speaking in an interview with Yanga FM, the Warri-born artiste addressed the recent decision to relocate the Headies Awards to the United States — a move he believes highlights a larger cultural issue.
According to Erigga, many Nigerians attach more prestige to international recognition than to local achievements, despite the abundance of talent and large fan base within the country.
“Nigerians have this attitude when it comes to our own; we don’t regard our own. The average Nigerian prefers to show you 300 people wey dey dance for London than to show you 5,000 people attending a concert in Nigeria,” he lamented.
Erigga stressed the importance of supporting local creativity and giving Nigerian artists the same level of respect and admiration shown to foreign acts.
“I feel like music should be for everyone. Regardless of where you are, you should appreciate your own because they (London) appreciate their own. We have this disconnect issue; we prefer what is outside,” he said.
On the subject of language and style, the rapper also shared how fans sometimes pressure him to rap in English rather than his native slang.
“Sometimes people be like, ‘Erigga, do one English rap for me,’ and I’m like, shey me na English professor? I dey educate people wey I meet for street,” he added.
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