Echoes of the Beat: A Journey Through Time and Sound

In an attempt to offload the weight of stress clouding my mind, I decided to surrender to the healing power of music. Craving a distraction, I made my way to a popular lounge on Ring Road, hoping that the night would offer some relief. To my delight, the DJ on duty knew his craft well. His hands worked magic on the turntables, and every beat that filtered through the speakers seemed to understand exactly what my spirit needed.
For two full hours, I was immersed in a beautiful blend of Nigerian hip hop, an unbroken stream of melodies from both the old school and the new. The selection was flawless. Each song was a nostalgic wave, and I willingly let it carry me. As the music coursed through me, my mind drifted back to my childhood days in Ikeja, Lagos.
Growing up in those years, our musical world was painted in foreign colors. American hip hop ruled the airwaves. Names like MC Hammer, Busta Rhymes, and Coolio echoed from every corner. Their rhythms defined our style, our dance, and our understanding of what music was meant to be. We admired them, mimicked them, and celebrated their culture, often more than our own.
But last night, as I sat in that lounge with the bass vibrating through my chest, a realization struck me. We have come a long way. Today, Nigerian artists are no longer in the shadows. They have carved out a space on the global stage and are commanding it with confidence and style. From London to New York, from Paris to Beijing, the sounds of Nigeria echo across continents. Our hip hop has become a global voice, a rhythm that moves the world.
It is a thing of joy to witness this transformation. To see our stories, our beats, and our voices celebrated around the world fills the heart with pride. The journey has been long and the struggle real, but the triumph is undeniable. Nigerian music is no longer just entertainment. It is a symbol of pride, identity, and cultural excellence.
And so, as I left the lounge that night, I carried with me more than just a sense of relief. I carried a renewed sense of hope that our music will continue to rise, to inspire, and to connect generations yet to come.
©️ Asiwaju Adebiyi Excellence Adewale