By Yinka Oludayisi Fabowale
KEEP HOPE ALIVE. That is the title of the wave -making hit
song by Lagos–based musician and comedian, Black Hero (Okoro Emmanuel
Izukamma).
The hit single released on audio CDs and currently enjoying
generous airplay on some radio stations in the nation's former capital and
Abuja, comes in three popular musical genres- reggae, gyration and hip hop,
obviously to cater for the tastes of the diverse segments of music loving
Nigerians.
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| Black Hero |
It is the first time in Nigeria that a particular song by a
particular musician would be composed and produced in diverse art forms and
languages and released in one album!
The highly inspirational musical fare seeks to promote hope,
love, perseverance, peace and unity, Black Hero, a self-styled Apostle of Hope,
said.
The song, delightful blend of vocal and instrumental melody,
could not have come at a better time, at this critical moment in the troubled
national life, when many Nigerians are despairing and losing hope in the
country.
It seems a tonic and balm to sooth frayed nerves, restore
hope and rally the citizens together from the brink of division to unity and
cohesion towards building a new Nigeria. That, perhaps, is why it has been
described as"the song of the moment," by some listeners of the
phone–in radio programmes that have so far aired it. The feedback from radio
audience indicates that, indeed, it is the song Nigeria needs at a time Nigeria
quakes under a concert of crises including economic recession, unemployment,
insecurity, alarming crime wave, insurgency, and beating of war drums by the
various ethnic nationalities.
With simple, albeit exhortative lyrics, the song, preaches
love, unity and calls individuals, groups and the government at all levels to
action to salvage the nation from going under. It enjoins one and all not to be
discouraged by the dire circumstances they and the nation may be passing through,
saying they would blow over. It predicts a new dawn for the country and urge
the despairing to hold on. It has the same message for the Africans and other
nations of the world.
But uniqueness of this album is not only in its
inspirational and instructive lyrics,but also the versatility of its packaging.
The reggae, hip hop and gyration versions show a creativity that is comparable
to some of the best endeavors in the three genres in the contemporary music
scene and thus, likely to appeal to the various sections and classes of the
Nigerian society- In these categories are: the youths, school children, members
of the old school, the elite, middle and poor working class including market
women.
Keep Hope Alive could thus be a veritable tool for effective
mass mobilization, sensitization and reorientation of the citizenry towards
nation-building.
"Each of the versions has instrumental version, with
strong and highly melodious African beat/jazz background. Thus, everybody’s
interest, whether he belongs to the upper, middle or lower class is very well
taken care of. . . the rhythm and the melody unite to achieve perfect harmony.
It is these striking qualities that give the album its uniqueness," says
Black Hero.
However, this
musical elixir has been forged in pain and tribulation. Its birth is in fact, a
triumphant testament and ode to the tenacity and indomitable spirit of the
musician himself, whose career has been checkered by protracted health
challenge.
Black Hero suffered a stroke precisely on March 29, 2011,
which left him partly paralyzed.
But, he refused to allow the affliction to kill his ambition
to become a music star.
Rather than resort to begging for a living, as some victims
of such disease would, Black Hero doggedly fought the dark fate. “This is
because I believe the sick and the physically challenged also have a lot to
offer their world. There is ability in disability. Disability is just a state
of the mind. There are no handicaps, except in our minds. Sickness or
disability is not the end of life. We can be whatever we want to be no matter
our earthly circumstances," he says proudly.
He cites American blind pop star, Stevie Wonder; late
Kokoro, the blind Yoruba folk singer; Yinka Ayefele, the Juju music rave
confined to a wheelchair; as well as the midget, King Pango of blessed
memory, as models he seeks to
emulate.
"I have chosen to keep hope alive, in spite of the
hopelessness that I see around me. I want my brand of music to speak for me at
all times. My conviction is that, by His (Almighty) special grace, I, the son
of Mr. Nobody, can rise from zero to hero, as I truly believe in myself and
work assiduously towards the realization of my lofty goals”.
Black Hero revealed that: “Actually, I have more than a
hundred composed, but unrecorded songs. But, Keep Hope Alive has a special
appeal for me. Reason: the song came in my time of greatest need, a time I was
almost overwhelmed and consumed by the challenges of life, when bad conditions
drove me to tears, the time when everybody, except God Almighty, had given up
on me. Lying down on my sickbed, I reflected deeply on what I could still do to
give hope to people in the same condition. And, in a flash of inspiration, the
song came”.
He counsels: “You must learn to lavish jubilant thanks unto
the Lord at all times because whatever bad thing that may have happened to you,
it could have been worse. A popular Yoruba proverb says: “What could have cut
off the head, has merely removed the cap.” No one in distress is without help.
So, learn to go through pains without bitterness. The more you complain, the
more you suffer. In anything you want to do, pray first for spiritual guidance,
aim high and stay focused. Remember also that you can succeed in life if nobody
believes in you, but never will you succeed if you don’t believe in yourself.”
The physically challenged musician, however, appeals for
sponsorship of the completion, final release and promotion of the full
complement of his debut album, as well as shooting of its video, in order to
carry the message of hope across the length and breadth of Nigeria.
Specifically, he solicits the financial assistance of the government and other kind–hearted
Nigerians at home and abroad, so his dream would not die, or his musical
talent wasted.
•This article was originally published by Daily Sun
•This article was originally published by Daily Sun
Good effort.
ReplyDeleteThat Black Hero could still struggle to be productive and be exemplary in the dignifying way he carries himself, despite his health challenge, which I strongly believe he will soon overcome, is highly commendable. That he does not hit the streets, or make demands on his friends or associates, carrying the beggar's bowl,is commendable. So also his resolve to go to work with his talents and rally his countrymen and women behind Project Nigeria. And sing Justice, Peace, Love, Unity, Brotherliness and Harmony to a Nation that is in dire need of these values, to a Nation whose children need to throw themselves fully into the ongoing efforts to build a Home where nobody is oppressed. Where we will live joyfully in prosperity regardless of our rich diversities. Black Hero, by virtue of his courage, his humaneness and burning wish to serve his fellow human beings through Music, deserves the support of all men and women of Goodwill. And for bringing his case to the world, kudos to Mr Yinka Fabowale.
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