The Toyin Falola Interviews: A Conversation with Beautiful Nubia
Please join us for a conversation with a renowned Nigerian Songwriter, Music Composer and Band Leader, Olusegun Akinlolu (Beautiful Nubia).
Sunday, March 19, 2023
5:00 PM Nigeria
4:00 PM GMT
11:00 AM Austin CST
Register and Watch:
https://www.tfinterviews.com/post/beautiful-nubia
Beautiful Nubia is the stage/performing name for Olusegun (Segun) Akinlolu, a Nigerian-born songwriter, music composer, band leader, poet and author.
Born in Ibadan (November 11, 1968), he started writing songs at a very young age. He has often suggested that he might have primarily derived his artistic talents from his mother, a songwriter and playwright, and his father, who possessed a powerful tenor voice and ran a music/electronics store. He also drew part of his early influence from the traditional culture, which was prevalent in the form of oral poetry, theatre, music and folklore.
In 1997, he established EniObanke, a music production and marketing company, under which his first album was released the same year. All subsequent recordings have been released on this label, and in 2010, the company commenced the first-ever folk and roots music festival in Nigeria, the annual EniObanke Music Festival (EMUfest), which is still going strong.
In 1998, the artist invited several young musicians in Lagos to form a backing band named The Roots Renaissance Band. Today, Beautiful Nubia and the Roots Renaissance Band is widely regarded as Nigeria's foremost contemporary folk and roots music ensemble, with songs and albums that have achieved cult status among their loyal and growing fans worldwide. Over 450 tracks (on 35 albums) have been recorded and released; a new 15-track album is set for release in February 2023.
Beautiful Nubia's original songs - didactic, philosophical and deeply moving - have cemented his reputation in Nigeria and beyond as an advocate for employing traditional wisdom in achieving personal and community development and social justice. The songs are built on rich folkloric traditions and native wisdom, but his message is universal in thrust and theme: value life, respect nature and learn to live in peace with others. The music speaks for the voiceless and champions the dream of a balanced society where individuals are truly free and equal. It preaches love and tolerance but also urges people to stand and defend their rights when trampled upon anywhere in the world.
The combination of enjoyable entertainment and provocative thoughtfulness has come to define Beautiful Nubia's style.
Enjoy!
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