Nigeria@60: Northern entertainers, before, after independence
Nigeria on October 1, celebrated its 60th Independence Anniversary, a feat worthy of celebration, especially in this period of democracy. Weekend Magazine, in this part two of the Independence Anniversary series beams a searchlight on Northern icons in the entertainment industry.
In the 1990s, particularly in the latter part, it was not unusual to tune in to the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA)in parts of northern Nigeria and see Mamman Shatta, Dan Maraya Jos, Bala Miller and several other such artists known way back in the day, on screen. When it came to actors on TV shows, it was Kasimu Yero in ‘Maganar Jari Ce’, Usman Baba Pategi in Samanja, and the like.
Some Old School
Popularly known among the Hausa, Fulani and even non-Hausa speaking ethnic groups, Alhaji Mamman Shatta (who is Fulani from Katsina) was famous for his praise songs (including ‘ Lafiya Zaki’, ‘Zamani’, ‘Lami Shagamu’ and several more) accompanied by talking drums. His music career spanned about half a century, from about 1950 till his death in 1999.
A YouTube video published on January 9, 2017, shows him performing after being conferred with a Honorary Doctorate degree in Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. During his time, he graced many high-profile gatherings including Nigeria’s independence ceremonies.
Another artist popular for praise singing is Dan Maraya Jos (birth name, Wayya) who was born in Jos, Plateau State known for using the musical instrument, kuntigi, popular among the Hausa. But what was different about Dan Maraya was that he singled out his personal heroes rather than the rich and famous. Many of his songs were also a form of social commentary like ‘Munafukan Yaki’ (hypocrites of war) which he sung after the Nigerian civil which took place from 1967 to 1970.
Born in Pankshin, Plateau State in 1928, Bala Miller was the son of Rev. Miller of Zaria, a missionary who was an early Christian convert from Hausaland. Influenced by music in church and joined his school’s band.
As his career developed, Miller joined several bands and later was part of one that sang a hit highlife song titled ‘ Oni dodo, oni moi moi’. Once, the first major hit song he wrote, ‘Kusimilaya’, became so popular that it was performed during the visit of Queen Elizabeth to Nigeria.
There are many artists (like Oliver De Coque, Jeremiah Gyang and so on) who impacted the Northern music scene, and although not all of them will be mentioned in this article, one of them is Barmani Choge who was known for using blunt language in addressing issues intimate to women. Some of her songs include ‘Wakar Kishiya’, ‘Ku Kama Sana’a’, and ‘Wakar Duwaiwai’.
Away from music, the film industry has witnessed what can suitably be called the reign of old generation veteran actors like Kasimu Yero, Usman Baba Pategi and even Sani Mu’azu who continues to blaze the trail. Contemporary names include the likes of Ali Nuhu, Adam Zango, Rahama Sadau, Hadiza Gabon and so on.
New School
When Bollywood films gained popularity from the 1980s and had a great influence in the north, this, according to Music in Africa, ushered in a new genre of music known as wakokin finafinai or Nanaye. What would later be known as Kannywood developed in the late 1990s and became widespread throughout most parts of the northern entertainment industry.
Nanaye to a large extent carries the narrative of Kannywood films (just like what is obtained in Bollywood). Before then, the 1980s saw the emergence of popular female musicians such as Funmi Adams, who performed songs in Hausa with contemporary instruments.
Music in Africa lists Maryam A Baba, Binta Labaran, Murja Baba, Maryam Aminu Baba, Maryam Fantimoti, Zainab Baba and Zuwaira Ismaila as prominent female musicians who move between the spheres of religious and film music.
Specifically, Maryam A Baba has composed more than 5,000 songs for Kannywood, one of the most popular being ‘Sangandale’.
In 2016, Mufida Adnan was the winner, best R&B female musician for her song ‘Don’t Stop the Music’ at the Arewa Music and Movie Awards in Kano. Interestingly, a female rapper like Hadiza Yau, equally rose to fame, a sign that the so-called conservative north is experiencing a shift in the entertainment industry.
Today, Kannywood film producers like Mustapha Ahmad, popularly known as Alhaji Sheshe, are targeting the movie streaming giant Netflix with productions as hefty as N20million. So, the upward growth continues, a clear departure from the past when movies were made with paltry sums. From all indications, the entertainment industry is currently playing a big role in Nigeria’s economy and the north’s in particular.
Popularly known among the Hausa, Fulani and even non-Hausa speaking ethnic groups, Alhaji Mamman Shatta (who is Fulani from Katsina) was famous for his praise songs