OPINION: Veterans Not Done And Dusted

Because of our love for some of our idols we just cannot accept the fact that age is catching up on them. just like football, fans of this generation are finding it hard to take that the ever super force Cristiano Ronaldo is fast becoming a spent force. Unlike football that relies solely on youthful zest and has a limited time frame, music is just about for anyone.

We've grown so use to some voices over the years that we've become accustomed to whatever they put through. 2face, M.I, Banky W, Eedris Abdulkareem, D'banj ,P square just to name a few. Many have questioned the prowess of the aforementioned names in recent times and its disheartening to think we simply do not understand they've transcended the images we projected them to be.

2face is one legend we simply cannot imagine to drop the mic. Many of my fellow writers have suggested perhaps his best years are behind him. Ever youthful looking and energetic, what we are missing is the fact that he is no longer the young boy in his twenties that stole our hearts alongside his boy band Plantashun Boiz. As at now he is a father figure to so many in the industries. Highly respected and revered by many in his circle. Just days back he clocked 41. What do we expect of him? to keep singing like the wizkids , the davidos, and the olamides of now? He is aging now and as such his thinking and intellect is increasing. The kind of materials he would put out now are for the mature minded. Those who have been following right from the face to face days. To prove the new change he has changed his moniker from 2face to 2baba and that should spell it for us that he has moved along with the tide.

What do we say of the short black boy from jos? M.I has had an exceptional career for a rapper so many would only dream of. For a while he has been laid back moving up in the ranks of Chocolate City Music Group to managerial roles and as such tasked with the responsibility of looking after the young ones coming through the chocolate city ranks. His music content has experienced a downward overhaul but that hasn't stopped the King from retaining his rap throne. He has evolved over the years and just when he was thought to be done for he proved everyone wrong with his performance at the Buckwyld n Breathless concert ( an event co hosted by himself and 2face) taking center stage and reminding the audience he was still the one with the loopy bars.

Not everyone of them oldies has been so lucky to still be in touch though. D'banj is still trying to get back to the scene. 9ice has tried to no avail to remain relevant. Eedris Abdulkareem has simply left the scene. Last we heard of ruggedybaba he is hustling for PMAN leadership. We should give credits then to the few that have managed to stay relevant either with their music or have looked for other means to stay in the public eye. Banky W has evolved into a music director, actor and right now he is the toast of several corporate bodies due to a scandal free career he has succeeded in keeping over the years.

Just like the leopard that never loses it spots, this legends have shown that they are not done and dusted. They've only taken on the veteran title with pride. It is a known fact that the Nigerian music industry has no proper structure or strategy for artistes that have passed their youthful era and as such we should celebrate and applaud this great men for finding a way to bridge the gap between the old and the youth. they've taken on the task doggedly and proved to us that the quickest way to get between two points was a straight line.

They came, saw and conquered and though it has been said that for every artiste there is season, this guys keep proving there's still more left in them. they can still dictate the game. simply put they are now 'veterans not done and dusted'.

Written by Akpofure Shedrack

@king_konfam