The Coronation IV was an event co-sponsored by Accountability Lab and featuring Voice2Rep finalists Adebanjo “Bliizzy” Boluwatife and Gbajumo “MC Lauda”. Here are some of the audience reactions:

Guest 1 (M):

What did you think about their songs?

I liked the Yoruba rapper. I didn’t know why they didn’t turn the music up a lot but it was actually okay. I liked his lines because I relate to that kind of music. I don’t know about every other person here. Maybe if we were on the mainland, he would have been more appreciated. But it’s dope.

Did you get any messages from the performance?

Yeah. I can’t remember any right now but I heard some dope lines.

Would you recommend the song to another person?

Yeah why not. Definitely. MC Lauda is somebody I can track online right?

Would you like to listen to more Nigerian Musicians speaking about social issues?

There are very few musicians doing that, so any musician doing that is a plus. Aside from marketing or selling music, being able to talk about real life issues and issues that trouble our society are not talked about much. You have rappers that talk about babes and cars rather than true life issues, so it’s actually a plus.

Do these songs affect you as a Nigerian?

Yes. I would say they affect because they talk about issues that affect me too. It’s actually good. It’s nice to see people talk about things that happen in our everyday society. People like to turn a blind eye to such things as everybody wants to act like everything is ok. It’s good to have somebody come and talk about it.

Guest 2 (M):

What do you think about the songs?

‘Omo Naija’ something like that. I think it was a great song and he had mad energy.

Would you recommend the song to anybody else?

Of course, if you’re Nigerian you should be able to vibe to that song, a good song.

Do you think that this song affects you as a Nigerian?

Of course, I feel like “Omo Naija” anywhere I am, any country around the world, there’s something about being a Nigerian. There’s this pride that comes with being a Nigerian and I think the theme of that song goes with it.

Would you like to hear more Nigerian musicians speaking on society and Government?

On Government, yeah. I feel like one major problem is we have those doing it already but they shut them down, they don’t put them everywhere. That kind of music should be listened to by every Nigerian because this is the kind of music Fela Kuti was doing back then. The revolution needs to begin from somebody.

Guest 3(F):

What did you think of the performance?

It was cool. I liked it. I vibed to it.

Would you recommend the song to others?

Well, I would want to listen to it more myself first before recommending it to others.

Would you like to listen to more music that talks about social issues?

I don’t mind it if it’s done very well like if it sends a message to me that I understand and I feel. So, it wouldn’t matter I would be able to play it all the time. It depends on how it is presented when it’s delivered to me. But I heard his (MC Lauda’s) and I enjoyed it. I mean if the quality is there, the message is clear and its creative with bars and lyrics.

Did the songs affect you as a Nigerian?

Yes of course. When I heard what he was saying I thought “I can relate to that. I get that. It brings us closer, because even though I don’t know who he is, I share his experience. So, I can relate to it. I think that as long as the music is relatable, anyone would like to hear it and listen to it.

Guest 4 (M):

In my own view, I think he (MC Lauda) should have made it more hip-hop and diverse. Imagine if he collaborated with another guy that raps in Igbo, then another in English just to get diversity, since you represent the general public. A lot of people of different ethnic groups come to base in Lagos.

Did you like the performance?

Yeah, the song was nice, based on what Accountability Lab stands for and the lyrics. The song was nice basically and the guy is a good rapper. It’s just that it needs to be more diverse. Mostly in the society now, it’s bad vibes that sell but if you want something good on the airwaves, you have to make it catchy.

Would you recommend the song to anyone?

Of course I would, based on what it represents. I wouldn’t recommend it to somebody who prefers music with expletives, but I would recommend it to the general public. It’s dope.

Would you like to see more artists talking about social issues?

Of course I would because a lot of people have tried and a lot of them have bills to pay, plus they’re scared. Even a lot of citizens are scared to fight for their own rights talkless of artists. So yeah I would like to see more artistes talk about such issues until it becomes a trend, if everyone talks about it, before you know it, something will be done about it. They’re (the political class) the minority but they don’t know, it’s just that they are occupying the big offices.

Did you get any message from the song?

Of course. He was talking about how Nigeria is underdeveloped, even with the many resources we have. Even countries with not as much resources as us have somehow managed to catapult ahead of us in terms of development. He was talking about different places in Lagos, the roads are bad and it’s not supposed to be so. Some business icons have houses on these same streets and yet the streets are bad. When rain falls on the island, the drainage system is bad and these same rich men are driving their expensive cars in the flood. They pay their taxes and they expect the government to be responsible.

Guest 5(M):

Did you like the song?

Yea I did. The guy is really good. I saw him coming up and I didn’t even know he had that kind of fire in him. He’s dope.

Did you get any message from the song?

I don’t really understand Yoruba that much, but I really vibed to what he brought to the table.

Would you like to hear more Nigerian musicians sing about social issues?

Yeah, that’s what we actually need right now. We need Nigerian artists with loads of content. Like I heard him talk about being a Nigerian and I was really proud. He really repped Nigeria.

Do these songs affect you as a Nigerian?

Yeah, for the fact that he’s Nigerian and he’s repping Nigeria. His delivery was so good that if I hear him outside, I’ll be proud to say that this guy is a Nigerian.

Guest 6(M):

Would you like to hear more Nigerian Artists doing socially conscious music?

Nah. To be honest it’s not changing anything. I believe the situation will change eventually but not from music performances. I feel like the youths need to actually get into spaces where they can fulfil stuff. Imagine the impact a certain artist who is actually well known and well respected, who has “blown”, has way more followers than the highest number of preachers in the world can make. I feel like people wont listen to you so much until you get to a level where you control the crowd; a level where you can say stuff that will actually influence the economy and the ruling system. Saying things like that has to come from the perspective of fans and what they can do to make the economy better. Not necessarily complaining about the Government because they won’t listen to the music, they’ll only see the artist as rebellious.

This is a hip-hop show so I can take an example from the artist J. Cole. He may not be as versatile as Kendrick Lamar but the persona he carries creates a “Big Brother” impression that makes people around him behave. If an artist can create that kind of impression and then use that agenda to make your fan base do stuff, you then make sure what you’re encouraging them to do can make an impact on the nation. Everybody knows about the problems of the country, but what needs to be done is getting a fan base and a followership. If the music appeals to me, I am willing to join the followership. But don’t complain about the Government, that’s a pessimistic approach, it doesn’t produce results. Do research and think about what the people can do. That’s my opinion.

Guest 7(M):

Would you like to see more Nigerians doing music on society and government?

Nigerians doing music on government is good. But probably the themes of the music are very much important. Because people are there to listen to your messages and recollect what you’re saying.

Personally, would you recommend socially conscious music to anyone else?

(Reflecting) Yeah

Guest 8(M):

Would you like to see more socially conscious songs in Nigeria?

Yes, I think those sorts of songs are good for the consciousness of Nigerians and Hip Hop heads in general. Like, I myself am a rapper and have written such songs so I think it’s good. We’re tired of the bumbum songs, the popping-champagne-in-the-club kinds of songs. We need more socially conscious songs that address issues like politics and depression because people are going through a lot and they need music to heal. Music is a medicine of its own.

Guest 9(M):

Would you like to see more Socially Conscious musicians in Nigeria?

I really don’t have an opinion about what kind of music is out there, let it just be cool and good quality. There’s room for everything.

Guest 10(F):

Would you like to see more Nigerians doing socially conscious music?

I think it’s necessary. I feel like not only conscious music, but music that’s honest to one’s reality.

Would you recommend that kind of music to your friends?

Yeah. I mean it’s the kind of music I make so…