There are pictures all over the internet this morning of Nigeria’s Flavour spicing up things in Mali. The singer was at The Mali Unification concert, which took place at Modibo Keita Stadium on Saturday, April 9, 2016.
Photos from the event were astonishing, as emotions poured in from every corner. There were people crying, others mesmerized, many more screaming heart out and waving frantically. Flavour appeared to be a god, like most true leaders of the art are, with their followers and fans showing adoration that is worthy of true worshippers.
Take a look at the pictures below:
Flavour's fan breaks into tears (Michael Tubes Creations)
Flavour’s case is not isolated. When Nigerian acts make the journey through the continent, they leave a trail of excited crowds, tears of joy, fan love, and many other acts of idol worship.
Many have always considered why that is the case, and as with all other things, comparisons have sprung up from various angles. Are they shown similar love in Nigeria? Do they get the same love and appreciation during concerts in Nigeria?
Having travelled through Nigeria, attending concerts, live performances, private events and many more in the past four years, I can say the reception is no different. Nigerian acts get as much love within the country, as they get away from it.
But this is mostly confined to the A-list artistes.
Flavour, Wizkid, Davido, Olamide, D’banj, Tiwa Savage, and Yemi Alade, get more love than can be reported. At the 2016 Gidi Culture Festival, ladies ran on stage to hug, cry and kiss D’banj during his set. In 2014, at the Genevieve Pinkball, Flavour rolled his waist seductively, and the crowd went wild. Davido has people camping at his house all day and night, screaming his name and begging for even a wave.
Wizkid appearance anywhere in the country would cause a ruckus.
Why these random acts of celebrity worship get little publicity is simple. The Nigerian media and the celebrities have had enough of the love within, and the news sources have become inundated with them. Someone in Lagos showing them love is clichéd and played out.
But when a random lady in Bamako, Ouagadougou or Soweto shows some apprecitation, that becomes news. The celebrity and their image handlers, inclusive of the promoters are of the opinion that this give an artiste international value and claim, and boosting their profile. It’s the same way when Nigerian top acts collaborate, it hardly makes the news, but other lesser known acts with exotic names will shoot straight to the headlines.
This bias however, has not shown any adverse effect. The fans still get their news, the people still love their stars, and everyone gets to keep the showbiz going.
Local love, African love, international love…they are all love. All love matter too.
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