Nigerian artiste, “Fakia Lafarge” shines in South Africa

A Nigerian Hip Pop artiste, “Fakia Lafarge’’, says he is working hard to break into the South African music scene.

The musician, born Ifeanyi Nwadiulu, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Pretoria, South Africa, that his brand of music was accepted in that country.

Nigerian musician, “Fakia Lafarge” born Ifeanyi Nwadiulu currently based in South Africa.

“My kind of music is hip hop, afro-pop and hip life,’’ said Fakia Lafarge, a native of Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra.

“ I have recorded 20 songs in four Compact Discs (CDs) and I have more in the making.

“In South Africa, my music is accepted. I have been invited to perform in different shows and the fans appreciate me on stage.’’

Nwadiulu said that his ambition was to break into the South African music scene and be Nigeria’s music ambassador in that country.

“I do original music by creating my own trend. I want to create music similar to great Nigerians like Fela, King Sunny Ade, Ebenezar Obey and Chief Osita Osadebe.

“If you listen to their music, you will see a big difference. Their music is original. When you listen to their songs, the lyrics carry messages that are everlasting.

“ My ambition is to create their kind of music,’’ he told NAN.

Nwadiulu urged Nigerians resident in South Africa to promote his music by inviting him to perform at their events and occasions.

The musician urged young Nigerian artistes to avoid copying works done by others.

“Be original because it will speak for you. When you copy, people will tag you with it and it does not speak well for a young musician,’’ he said.

Nwadiulu said he made his debut in 2009 when he released his first single titled “Fakia Lowa’’ in Nigeria.

“ That single transformed my name stage name from “Genius CP’’ to Fakia Large because of the popularity of its video,’’ he said.

Nigerians just like peoples across the globe savour good, hilarious and philosophical music to entertain themselves and so are South Africans.

From the 1960s, Nigerians have embraced music by South Africans, especially those by the “Mama Africa’’ and “Empress of African Music’’, Miriam Makeba’’ thus promoting cross-cultural heritages.

Born in Johannesburg in 1932, Makeba released The Click Song “Miriam Makeba’’ in 1960 and from then made many albums, including “Malaika’’ in 1972, “Pata Pata’’, “African Sunset’’ and “Soweto Blues’’ in 1989.

The late Empress of African Music, Miriam Makeba on stage.

She produced many other songs in her native South African language but all were enjoyed across the globe and before her death in 2008, she had visited Nigeria on music tour severally.

Equally, Nigerian music was appreciated in South Africa, especially during the Apartheid regime when Sonny Okosun, best known as the leader of the Ozzidi band, unleashed songs like “Fire In Soweto’’.

Others include “Chant of the slaves, let my people go’’ and “Power to the People’’ in support of the fight against apartheid.

He named his band Ozzidi after a renowned Ijaw river god in Nigeria, but to Okosun the meaning was “there is a message’’.

Before his death in 2008, he had many gospel songs, including “Who is like Unto Thee’’ and “Jesus King of Kings’’.

Other Nigerian musicians that used their works in the fight against apartheid include the legendary Fela Anikulapo-Kuti and gospel artistes.