Nigerian Afro Jazz export, Shola Emmanuel, has said that alcohol, weed, hard drugs and sex have always been a part of the global music industry.
Historically, they are referred to as ‘supplementary’ in music contracts provided to artistes whether solicited for or not.
“These days it’s become fashionable for musicians to hold a cup (alcohol) or a stick of Indian Hemp between boarding or alighting from an airplane”.
Such pleasures, he said, are often arranged by show organizers for artistes who are on tour for over a month, performing three to four times a week, with frequent flights to event venues. They are meant to help artistes relax and bring their A-game to shows.
“What the artistes fail to realize is that they are not doing this because they care about you, rather they care about their own sales. They want they shows to be one of the best.
“The supplements are often provided free of charge. However, once the free alcohol, weed, drugs or sex run out, the artistes are already addicted and start spending their earnings to sustain their habits.
“I have seen guys who are supposed to earn $10,000 at the end of a tour end up with half that sum or less because they had to cater to a vice or another. You have to understand why they are giving you those supplements to know why you need to avoid them,” warned Emmanuel.
Highlighting Nigerian artistes Fela and Majek Fashek as examples, Emmanuel noted that neither were addicted to drugs before embarking on global music tours.
“The drugs were a part of their tour experience in the US. History has it that before Fela went to the US, he was one of those people who didn’t want to see others smoking ‘Igbo’. Post that trip, he became ‘Igbo’ himself. It was on that same trip that he met Sandra, the woman who introduced him to Indian hemp, Pan African history, and encouraged him to change his style of music. The music industry exposes one to all sorts of things.”
Although he is by no means a saint, Emmanuel has managed to escape the global music fads through abstinence and self-discipline. His early childhood experiences, adult influences, and careful study of the lives of music legends who died young owing to their vices informed his choices.
“I would say it’s by the grace of God. In my music journey, I try to maintain my gospel roots. I preach my gospel through my actions, my behaviour, and what I do among other people who I want to impact their lives. I don’t smoke. I don’t drink. I can confidently tell you that I am not a womanizer. I’ve endured these temptations to the point that some secular musicians started calling me ‘pastor’, because my lifestyle doesn’t make sense to them.
“A mentor once advised me, “Be curious, but let your curiosity be guided by wisdom. Don’t see someone using heroin and decide to try it out of curiousity sake. You already know that it’s harmful. Your curiousity must have boundaries,” he said”.
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