A Cameroon concert where Naira Marley was to perform has
reportedly been cancelled after the controversial Nigerian singer was said to
have met fierce opposition from indigenous musicians.
Earlier, a statement announcing an “eleventh-hour” venue
switch for a Valentine’s Day event Naira Marley was to attend had surfaced on
social media.
It had cited an increasing demand for tickets by fans and
space constraints as the reason for the decision.
The Marlian Records boss had also taken to his Instagram
story to commend his fans in Cameroon, who came to the airport in droves to
welcome him — upon his arrival in the West African country.
But on Monday, Joey Akan, a music journalist, alleged that
some musicians indigenous to Cameroon made a case against the ‘Koleyewon’
crooner to ensure the concert was cancelled after venues had been changed up to
three times.
“Yesterday, a Naira Marley concert scheduled to hold in
Cameroon didn’t happen. Special Forces Soldiers flooded the venue and chased
everyone away, despite Marley being in the country ready to hit the stage,”
Akan wrote in a Twitter thread.
“Why? Hate and beef from Cameroonian artists. For months,
there has been a growing anti-Nigerian movement, with many disgruntled
entertainers calling for a ban on Nigerian music.
For months, there has been a growing anti-Nigerian movement, with many disgruntled entertainers calling for a ban on Nigerian music. This movement is led by a struggling comedian named CY International.
— Joey Akan (@JoeyAkan) February 15, 2021
A promoter named Prince Enobi, organized a special Valentine's Day concert.
“This movement is led by a struggling comedian named CY
International. A promoter, Prince Enobi, organized a special Valentine’s Day
concert. Naira Marley was booked, to perform in Buea, the capital of the
Southwest region.
“The heart of Anglophone Cameroon. Expensive tickets were sold out, and the event was set. But the show did not hold. Cameroon entertainers kicked. They went to Yaounde to ask the government to ban it.”
He moved the show from Buea to Limbe. These entertainers still went to call the special forces arm of the military. They showed up and scattered the stage and venue. Promoter still moved show to Douala, the entertainers still showed up there and scattered the venue.
— Joey Akan (@JoeyAkan) February 15, 2021
Akan said individuals who sought the show’s cancellation had
claimed the singer was a bad influence on the youth.
“They went to minister of arts and culture to ban the
concert. Their excuse; Naira Marley is a bad influence on Cameroonian youth,
who smokes Igbeaux, and has a sex tape. The minister canceled the show in
Buea,” he added.
“But the Promoter was adamant. He’s invested heavily. He
moved the show from Buea to Limbe. These entertainers still went to call the
special forces arm of the military. They showed up and scattered the stage and
venue.
“The promoter still moved
show to Douala, the entertainers still showed up there and scattered the venue.
Naira Marley didn’t perform, but he’s been paid. He lands in Nigeria today.”
Naira Marley didn't perform, but he's been paid. He lands Nigeria today. What this means is that the Cameroonians have declared war on the Nigerian music industry, and have acted on it due to hate and inferiority complex. They blame us for everything.
— Joey Akan (@JoeyAkan) February 15, 2021
Pan Africanism in the mud.
Akan asked artistes to quit stirring up xenophobia, adding
that it might cause a lot of dangerous events for the art.
“What this means is that the Cameroonians have declared war
on the Nigerian music industry, and have acted on it due to hate and
inferiority complex. They blame us for everything. Pan Africanism in the mud,”
he wrote.
“In the past 5 years, Anglophone Cameroon has not seen a
major concert due to the crisis. And the first show they were meant to have,
they called the same oppressive military to help chase their fellow Africans
away.
“This won’t end well. It’s a slippery slope, leading to a
lot of dangerous events for the art. If we begin xenophobia, it’s their
industry that will bear the brunt. Either they nip this in the bud, or it’ll be
a full war with no real winners.”
Akan’s account comes two months after Omah Lay, another
Nigerian singer, was arrested over his appearance at an event in Uganda.
As of when this report was filed, Naira Marley is yet to speak on the incident.
Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everydayAdvertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com