Olusegun Adeyemo
Renowned Nigerian artist, actor, and musician, Prince Tunde Odunlade, has called on fellow artistes to create music that uplifts humanity and reflects positively on Nigeria.
“Our music should elevate the spirit and project Nigeria as a country of values and character,” he said. “Today’s music scene needs a shift. Many young artists are gaining international attention, which is a good thing, but the messages they carry should be meaningful and uplifting.”
He expressed concern over the content of contemporary music, urging musicians to use their growing platforms to share positive messages that can influence society for good.
Prince Odunlade made this known in an interview with Journal Nigeria in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
Prince Odunlade also addressed the distortion of indigenous languages in modern music, particularly Yoruba. He stressed the importance of preserving linguistic accuracy, noting that Yoruba is a tonal language with unique pronunciations and accents.
“I encourage those singing in indigenous languages, especially Yoruba, to be mindful of how they use the language. Let’s not bastardize it,” he warned.
He praised legendary musicians such as Baba Hubert Ogunde, Tunji Oyelana, Jimi Solanke, and Shola Allyson for their dedication to preserving indigenous languages and cultural values through their music.
While acknowledging the global acclaim Nigerian music has garnered, Prince Odunlade urged artistes to balance entertainment with responsibility.
“Our music should entertain, yes, but it should also reflect our identity as a people of culture, dignity, and integrity,” he concluded.