How To Become A Successful Musician In Nigeria
To become a successful musician here in Nigeria, you’ve to be endowed with creativity and uniqueness.
You have to be passionate when it comes to making an impact in this victimized world of ours.
New hits are always springing forth in the Music Industry and fans are always in anticipation of what will come up next.
To make it in this industry, you’ve to give out what have not been given before.
Musicians are the social entrepreneurs we talk about and you can be the boss if successful in this career.
It’s no longer news that musicians are highly paid in any concert they are invited in..
Their life of luxury has been a major driver to some young up-coming artists who are still striving to make it at the top.
If you can walk in the right steps, you’ll be able to become a successful musician. In this article, allow me guide you how that dream can become a reality.
If you follow these steps, chances are that you’ll make it. When you do, don’t forget to give a shout-out to HobbiesWorld.
HOW TO BECOME A SUCCESSFUL MUSICIAN IN NIGERIA
1. IDENTIFY YOUR MUSIC GENRE
What’s your genre? What type of music do you do best in? Knowing the type of music that brings out the potentials in you makes becoming a successful musician easier.
I have seen lots of people who are always switching from one genre to another, hoping to hit the limelight by luck.
There’s no harm in diversity, but being a specialist in a particular type of music makes you the best.
Your genre could be Hip Hop, pop, Rock, RnB, Gospel etc..
Discover the genre that speaks and brings out the uniqueness in you.
One of the reasons why some upcoming artist are struggling to make it is when they try to blend, or trying to copy the style of another already made star.
It’s wrong.
2. HONE YOUR SKILL
One thing is to know your type of music, it’s another thing entirely to be good in them.
You have to walk an extra mile into honing your skill and being perfect in them.
It’s true that perfection doesn’t exist, but it does to some extent.
Know your vocal range and how to utilize it well.
Find out about your vocal part and improve.
Most successful musicians here in Nigeria know their craft well, that’s why they are successful.
It’s not magic or luck. To be in the Music for long, you’ve to know how to do your thing and do it well.
If possible, attend a music school. Join the chore or a band.
Associate with people who have the same aspiration.
To become successful in music, you have to be extra ordinary.
Don’t forget to also learn the art of writing your own music.
3. GO FOR EVENTS FOR FREE
Most up-coming musicians here in Nigeria usually make the mistake of not going to an event, simply because they weren’t invited.
Most will hold the excuse that they will pay little compare to the energy they will exhibit.
As a new born fish in the Music Industry, you’ve to forget about money and focus on exposure.
When exposure have been achieved, that’s when contracts and money starts rolling in.
If there’s an event near you, make sure to attend.
Meet the MC or the coordinator of the event, tell him or her of your interest to perform. The truth is; they will be glad to allow you perform, to liven up the place.
In some cases, they might give you some money as a way of saying THANK YOU.
In some cases, you might get nothing at all.
It doesn’t matter, what matters is that you’re gaining a presence.
4. MUSIC COMPETITION
Music competition is a great way to tremendously expose yourself to potential sponsors or record labels.
Sometimes we usually allow fear deter us from taking charge of opportunities.
Don’t always listen to the loser in you, listen to the winner in you.
That voice telling you that you’ll fail should be dealt with.
There are lots of talent hunt shows in Nigeria that aims at bringing up-coming musicians and placing them at the top.
MTN project fame, Nigerian Idol and a whole lot of others are in the business of making talented individuals celebrities.
If you usually struggle with stage fright, then consider starting with a small audience first, it will build your confidence over time.
Don’t go out to win, to there to have fun. Go there to gain exposure and now fans.
5. WORK ON YOUR ONLINE PRESENCE
Thank God for social media, you can follow anyone you admire. You can get yourself out there easily by just a push of a button, follow popular celebrities.
Keep up with the trends.. Be creative when it comes to taking advantage of online trends, probably about a popular celebrity.
Instagram and twitter should be your regular hangout.
Also try and make friends with some music bloggers. Believe me, you need them to succeed in your music career.
Sometimes, all you need to become a successful musician here in Nigeria is just a little controversy and trust me, bloggers don’t joke with such. You’ll be amazed how you will go viral by just doing a simple but extra ordinary act.
That’s the easiest way to promote yourself and your music.
6. HIT THE STUDIO
As an upcoming artist, you need to have a recorded song.
If you don’t, please do. Not having at least, a single is an opportunity crusher.
Many individuals have lost big opportunities simply because they didn’t have a single, not even a demo.
Hit the studio and produce your first track.
You might not market it right away, but it will come in handy one day.
However, don’t go and sing trash and garbage just because I said you should hit the studio.
Take your time and write a Good song.
To become a successful musician, you have to be original, unique and good. Pass a message across.
Your lyrics shouldn’t always be about women, money or sex.
Try and be different and you’ll see the difference.
Also, don’t underestimate the power of a good beat. Most Nigerians sometimes don’t care about the lyrics, they just want a unique beat they can dance to.
HOW TO HANDLE CRITICISM AS AN UP-COMING MUSICIAN
To become a successful musician, you must be ready to handle critics and use them to your advantage.
Behind every successful musician, there’s a critic.
Don’t feel bad when you’re criticized. Instead, be open-minded and see if they are honest criticism or just trash spilled out of hate and envy.
The truth still remain that you need them to succeed. The more haters you get, the more successful you’ll be.
When haters come on you, one thing is certain, it improves your presence which means, more traffic and money.
If they make remark about you not being on key or beat, or something about your lyrics not being good.
You have to look into them, to discover where to work more on yourself.
Always listen to constructive criticism, they are just a way of pointing out your flaws and making you a better musician.
To become a successful musician, handle critics in a mature way.
CONCLUSION
To become a successful musician here in Nigeria, you have to stand out from the crowd.
There are hundreds, if not thousands of people who wants to be a musician. How do you beat all of them? It’s simple.
Get better than them. Put in more work.. Walk the extra mile. Make the sacrifice now and enjoy later.
Nothing good comes easy, success is not by accident, it’s through hard work and perseverance.
Thanks for reading!!
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