Olusegun Ogundeji

“If our new video does not beat P-Square's, change our name from X-Project,” one of the Tumba Dance crooners said. In the real sense, we can say that's a big one – a good move for a group that is aiming higher. Anyway, we are here to adjudge the best when the time comes.

X-Project vowed to outdo P-Square's ‘Do me' with their yet-to-be released video. The words have been noted for future reference. Let's hope it won't be tantamount to bragging!

On the positive side, it is a good challenge for those who are really interested in taking further step into success in life. Even without seeing them, the way these guys sounded on radio shows they are very determined. Perhaps that is because they have had a feel of what they described as ‘spirit of competition in Nigeria .'

While speaking about this album slated to be released in the next sixty days on Kalleone Radio's discussion programme on indigenous music previous Saturday, the group made several remarks about the development of Sierra Leone music and what they observed to be the major obstacles.

One of the issues mentioned is the reluctance of Sierra Leonean musicians to spend huge sum on their musical videos. Rather they prefer to buy cars. I think that point is very salient.

Agreeably when some Sierra Leonean musicians have succeeded in buying a jeep, most of their problems seem to be addressed. And that is a real problem if we are talking of improving home-grown Salone music.

There was even a time that the major target of many of these musicians is the launching of the album. Their expectation is usually to make their money at the launching. But their fans seem to be well-informed now…gone are those days when they have to go and waste their time in the mid-night cold just to be fed with not-so-delicious musical performance.

In some other countries of the world, Sierra Leone 's version of album launch is not tenable. If the likes of X-Project depend on album launch in Nigeria , I don't think they'll have gone this far.

X-Project which is a synergy of Nigeria's Majeed Akinwunmi Akinwoye (Majeed) and Sierra Leoneans, Aziz Mohammed Kamara (Slez) and Salieu Umaru Sindi (Saal), have been shuttling between the two countries they represent to promote their works.

My temperature rose when the group asked some questions but failed to give answers to them before moving out of the studio. One of the questions that caught my attention and lingered most in my memory is why Sierra Leonean stars' songs are not gaining wider recognition outside the shores of Freetown . It's like they expected the home-based musicians to answer the question. But I was expecting X-Project to answer at least that particular question.

Though for the sake of development, this is a very good question but they should have helped a little by giving concise answer to the question themselves. That is where my problem lies. I was expecting them to give a good answer to that simple but weighty question.

Anyway, to help them out, I will take their group X-Project as a case study. I wonder why they kept doing some of their songs in local dialects like Yoruba. I think their hit track of few years, Aiye mi, could have died a lovely death if the lyrics were not attached to the locals. Apart from explanation, and the Sierra Leonean connection, it is not even clear if Sierra Leoneans would have understood the words of the song? Do you even think they'll waste their time to listen either?

Also, the use of quality DJs- issues of how DJs, I mean DJs who are practicing the art and not just going to play music in the studio and carrying the tag as a DJ- could help develop music in the country. If we go into real context of what the art of DJing entails, it is not misleading to state that there are no good radio DJs in the country. Take it or leave it!

It is good for songs to enjoy airplay on local radio stations but DJs can do more to motivate these musicians to produce quality music that would meet up in every standard that you can ever think of. Whether X-Project are just being economical about the truth or they are ignorant of that fact, I can't say.

When some DJs spin or make mixes on their turntable with music of local artistes, it sends out signals for these guys to do more. To be realistic, DJs love to play the best tracks around…there is no ill-heart to it. We all know a good music when we listen to it so you don't have to go around bribing DJs –with some money- so that your music can enjoy airplay. Even mere lobbying for airplay shows that you don't have something credible to offer your fans.

This time around, X-Project mentioned that they have succeeded in bringing Channel O crew to Sierra Leone for the shooting of their musical video. That is a good move on their part. With that, there would be justification that something linking Sierra Leone to the other parts of the continent is in force. People won't be paying for DSTV without getting any local content from it.

But looking at it in the long term, this development will only favour X-Project. They will carry the accolade that goes with it. If other musicians think it's a worthy cause to pursue, then they should do so based on their own volition. But if they feel otherwise, there is nothing X-Project can do.

X-Project is not in the best position to channel the course of musical development in the country except they want to court enmity. They are musicians and they should do everything possible in their might to package themselves for the market. When P-Square sold their two cars to produce a video, they did it based on their wish. As a musician, you have to do what is good for you to make your product attractive.

Those who will change the face of Sierra Leone music are not musicians, they are behind-the-scene guys who are yet identify with their roles. The talents are there already but just like gold or diamonds, they still need to be polished to get a better value.

I disagree totally with X-Project as they go with the notion that Nigerian musicians are paid thousands of dollars to come and perform in Sierra Leone . This is a very broad issue anyway but my comment will focus on who the Nigerians look up to for the development of their career.

Some years ago, it is very hard to see a world star perform in Nigeria but in the last few years, many of them have visited the country. Things changed drastically. You'll discover that the more foreign artistes visit the country, the more Nigerian stars too are aiming to achieve greater heights.

It's just that those in the helms of affairs of Nigeria 's entertainment industry made it a point of duty for Nigerian musicians to perform side by side with foreign musicians who visit the country. That is how they learn to improve in their trade.

Spending about $60,000 to bring artistes to Nigeria is not a child's play so the onus is on the Nigerian artistes to capture the moment, study and tap from what makes these stars be accepted universally. They take the cue from there and they are made to feel big.

Just recently, news started filtering around that Akon has signed a Nigerian artiste Faze. Without doubt, this must be after careful consideration. Nigerians have done collabos with the likes of Wyclef Jean and Beenie Man. All these are forms of exposure for the Nigerians. Hyping too is a major factor too. Artistes managers and publicists have a lot to do.

These are some of the issues I think X-Project should raise instead of trying to make Sierra Leonean stars to feel isolated. Thank God Sierra Leone is even better than Liberia where it is still a difficult task for musicians to release albums on individual basis as at last September -unless they come together to produce what they called ‘mix-tape.'

Listen to Nigerian and Ghanaian stars, you'll discover that the good ones do not do away with their culture…they don't adopt hook-line-and- sinker what is obtainable in other cultures though they borrow some. The case of the newly released guy, Famous, is a very good example. Famous can go far if he can get the necessary support. He is a true epitome of what can take Sierra Leone music to another level. He is very indigenous. A true Sierra Leonean star to be. Original!

X-Project was formed in the year 2000 with Majeed as band leader. He initially had an additional group member Moses Kamara (shack). They have had the long standing ambition to define standards for Afro R&B and Hip-Hop.

Their debut album, “Tumba Dance” was originally released in Freetown Sierra Leone in the year 2004, while their second effort “Dance for Me” was released in Sierra Leone in early 2005 and Nigeria in August of 2005.

As a critic, I am willing to help X-Project change their name if their video should fall short of expectation. By God's grace, I'll do everything in my power to make sure the group feel the brunt of their words if they fail to produce a video that would be better than P-Square's. I hope X-Project will not fail our test.