Forman Performing Musician Association of Nigeria (PMAN)’s copyright council member, Prince Umukoro, aka Kabalistic has criticised the association which he alleged has not contributed to the success of any reigning musician.
The veteran songwriter and musician who has just released a new single titled ‘A Brighter Day’ after his last effort in 1996, said the music industry has thrived as a result of the hard work of the musicians and not because of any input from music associations which he labels ‘incompetent’
“When you have negative thinkers as heads of organizations, who only think about self-interest and not selflessness, it is very bad. The music industry has not really thrived because of the associations. It has thrived because of the hard work of Nigerian musicians who have survived on their own. My only sadness is that what these “boys” are playing are mere copyright of instrumentation. They just sing whatever they like on it. In those days, you must be creative enough to play your own style and pattern to move ahead. All I’ve been hearing since I came back to the country have been gban gban gbi gbi gbo baby baby everywhere (Laughs). “Honestly, I think it’s time to come back to playing meaningful music that will not only sensitize the people but will give good feelings and foster positive thinking in our children. The “boys” are trying, no doubts, and it’s okay since the youths are blending with the style. We are not young anymore and we are trying to bring these corrective measures so those of them who are now very popular will come back to singing positive songs because it is their time now to be more useful. They have already made their names and money, so they need to come back and sing positively,” he said.
Umukoro who said he’s back to reclaim his rightful position in the music industry says he plays pop and ballad.
“Sometimes I mix it with reggae. My first album was quite experimental; I did an afro beat track, a pop track, a ballad and a kind of funky reggae. I believe music comes from inspiration and so whatever comes to your mind at any point in time, maybe as a gift or through dreams or out of your own personal inspiration, you just put it down. If it is reggae, play reggae. It depends,”
On his mission as a musician he says, “I believe in the philosophy of the goodness of life and the survival of the living. I’m very much interested in the emancipation of the suffering masses and the good of not only our nation but the world. I have been preaching this since 1993 when I released my first album titled ‘Suffering’ and then the second album titled ‘Good’ in 1996, after which I relaxed a bit, and then in 1999, I contested the presidential elections of PMAN with King Sunny Ade which he won and I was drafted into Copyright committee in PMAN then. Even when MCN had copyright problems, I was the one who chaired the occasion in the copyright council, removed the case from court and resolved the issue. Battles never end you know, they still have their problems but I did something then. I am from Sapele in Delta State Nigeria and all my life I’ve always believed in the survival of the living.”
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