There has Never Been Love in Nigerian Music Industry – Timaya

Nigerian music star Inetimi Alfred Odom, known widely as Timaya, recently shared his perspective on the lack of genuine goodwill among artists in the country’s music scene. Speaking in an interview with Channels TV, the “Dem Mama” singer asserted that camaraderie between colleagues has always been scarce, with competition often taking precedence.

“Your colleagues are not your friends na. The only person who wants to see you better than them is your father o, your parents,” he remarked, explaining that the industry’s environment is built more on rivalry than friendship.

Timaya went on to highlight that even music collaborations, often perceived as mutual endorsements, can be more strategic than sincere. “Collaboration, I said it a long time ago, ‘collabo follow for promo,’” he noted, adding that some artists might even skip promotional video shoots or charge fees for features, which he believes hinders the growth of creativity within the industry.

While acknowledging that times have changed and competition is part of any field, Timaya pointed out that grudges often linger between artists, creating tension. “There has never been love in the music industry, na normal thing. It’s just like in an office, there’s competition na. It’s a normal,” he concluded.

Timaya’s remarks shed light on the challenges of navigating Nigeria’s thriving music industry, where rivalry is part of the landscape and camaraderie can be elusive.