 If music be food of love, play on. This remarkable musical metaphor and the position of music in the world shows that music has gone beyond entertainment with all parts of the world having a form of music being one of the most universal ways of expression in human life. Music in a strict sense is one of the wonders of creation. Those who create music, no matter the genre are fundamentally creative and committed craftspeople who organize sound and set sound to lyrics for effect. Music exerts a powerful influence on human beings. It not only allows one to express feelings, it goes beyond entertainment, religion, culture, to political statements, call to action, solidarity, identity, cooperation and integration. It can impact illness, depression, spending, productivity and our perception of the world. Research has shown it can increase aggressive thoughts also influence behavior and encourage crime. For lovers of this great art form all over the world, the three things that matter at the end of the day is the harmony, expression of passion and conveyance of a message through its words. With a sweeper review of music and the tremendous influence music has on us, the world over, nostalgia overcomes me and a longing for the time when music makes sense. When I look back, I remember music influencers like Maria Mackeba, Hilma Sekela, Andrew Bustioli, Pavarotti, even if we don't understand the word of what he sings, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Patsy Klein, Frank Sinatra, Barbara Streisand, The Bee Gees, Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, Michael Jackson, to mention just a very few musical influence who have or had palpable recognizable talent whose lyrics made sense when they stated the stunning versatility of their work and the fact that they conveyed powerful messages in suits, ties and high-necked dresses, narrowing it down to Nigeria with its different unique cultures, season and occasions. And I take a look back at our music landscape from the works of the likes of Fela, Bobby Benson, Sir Victor Waifu, Ebenezer Ube, Mammon Shatter, Bala Mila, King Sunny Adi, to the era of Chris Okoti, Felix Liberty, Christi Essien Igokwe, Onyeka Wenu, to the current landscape to see the works of Naira Mali, Brema Yemealadi, Tu Baba, Davido Whiskey. We see a stark contrast in terms of musical expression, lyrics, especially lyrics, music form and real talent. The use of technology to produce talent and stimulus through visual shows not only the lack of depth in the music being turned out, but the fixation on sex, the flashiness of money and its trappings, the willing objectification of women and the demise of the soul of music. The import of music seems almost lost as we view the effect of dominant music genres on society. How do we work our way back to make impactful music, resume merit over mediocrity and average, harnessing real talent, elevating music as a meaningful art expression, not a headless money spinner? I've said my piece, over to you. Well, thank you very much. Comfort for that advocacy. When I read the script for the first time, it's like the popular saying that it reminds me of. That is to say that the future makes the past idyllic, you understand. That is the more we move in time, the more you tend to appreciate the things you've left behind. And with music and how art has over the years degenerated. Like, it puts the issue in full context. Isn't that a strong word, degenerated? That's why you say art has degenerated. Yes, yes. That's rather harsh if you ask me. Well, I said the quality of it has actually degenerated and that's what you're living with. The quality in terms of the lyrics and how art is being conveyed, it has totally degenerated. And that's why it has become and is today many artists now glamorize the weak values, the glamorized sex, the objectified women and all of that. And because of how people connect with music to a larger extent, you could say it's also responsible for the total decaying value system we have in society today. You want to say something? Well, what I see is that times have changed and the children now or the younger generation now are more, they're more alert, they're faster, they're always on the move. You know, because I wonder how my kids that are supposedly heavily guarded become to think when it's up, then it's up, then it's up. And I'm like, okay, I think then it's up, then it's up. Then I pick up my phone when they leave and I put song, then it's up, then it's up. Then I say, oh my God. Yeah. Then I say, where did you hear this music? Oh mommy, they're always thinking it. They're always thinking it. Where is always thinking it? Even on the road. There you go. So it's everywhere. So for me, I don't, I wouldn't say the word degenerated because they, they appreciate it. Exactly, exactly. You know, you started really, really brilliantly and this is my opinion. As a matter of fact, last week I had this conversation with someone and I said, the reason why we look back is that everyone has an idealized opinion of their childhood. Of what it should be. So you know, your childhood, for those of us that grew up on the music of people like Onyekawin, Chris Yesie and Ibuque, you, you, in your mind, because you were a child then, you didn't have the cares and the worries of this world. It's just an ideal kind of song. Yes, it seems like the perfect song. So now that we have this inbreed of. No, but then I'll counter and say, we didn't have the benefits of that past in the sense that we were young, you understand? But today we can place both, the both variables and make an informed decision. We know what we're listening to today and we know what our parents used to listen to. I highly sexualized songs. On the terms of nakedness, the quality is too much. It seems, if you are looking at the messaging, the messaging, the general, yeah, in my opinion, the quality of music, except you're saying it's not based on the acceptability and the reach of the music. The acceptability is 100%. Because I mean, the songs, the crop of artists that we have, believe me, I love all of them. I've specific, like you know, in recent times falling, head over heels in love with David O's music, right? So I find myself singing that a lot. Yeah, well, it's the college. Yemi Alade, you know, the Whiskies of the world. If you compare the reach that, you know, there are four bears had in music. This voice hit four million views in a week, right? Four million views in a week. There you go. I don't understand. I'm trying to figure out. If I can clear up something here, if I can clear up something here, I'm going to link it to what you are, your own advocacy in K-Mac, where you are talking about, you know, children who are just been left, you know, running around the streets and don't know what, you know, what they're going to be in the future. And what Raymond said also about knowing that music has a huge influence. Those same children, our children, and they listen to the same type of music and clearly want to live that type of life. I'm remembering music as a time when it was a political movement. Music was very influential in politics. During slave trade, music was one of the ways that people stayed alive. And that is the soul of music that I'm referring to. At this point, the music that our children are listening to doesn't really add any value for them at this point. No value at this point. And now to do something. No value at this point. Music, because of its huge influence. It should be a resource that we should actually tap into, like football, that brings all sorts of people together for positivity. But now music, I agree with him, has been, has degenerated to the point that you can't actually even use it for positive influence. I agree totally. But not all of them. Not all of them. You still have a few good songs. You still have songs. To a large extent. But it is only facing sex, money, and nudity. But we can't say all the ongoing... Not all. After it can be all. The truth is... Is that direction. The truth is this. That's a myth. No, that's why I said the dominant genres of music... Beautiful. ...can quantify... I agree. As a matter of fact, if you are going to shoot a music video today, and you're not ready to export nudity and sex, your videos won't sell. But are you saying... Do you know that Olamide's latest song, that was the thing that people actually noted. The new song released this month. No nudity. No drugs. What's the question? Are you trying to say... Beautiful songs. And it works. So art can also be enjoyed without those very debased elements. I think it's just... Chill on the naked girls. Chill on the drugs. If you ask me, I would say it's a hypocritical approach to music. Because I say need in the life of every human being that sex and nudity meets. Now, I'm not saying let's make that a standard for all songs to have. I'm definitely not saying that. And I definitely would not subscribe to my children being overfed that kind of content. And that's why I say video sensors born for even songs. So we can't categorize and say because, look, sex is a valid need of the human being. And there are songs that appeal to sexuality that is not meant for public consumption but is absolutely valid. But in Nigeria... As an art form. In Nigeria, there is no control. If you step out of this door, you will hear the songs being played on the road. So your children are exposed to it. That's the value of music. But you see, the primary responsibility lies with the parents. And this is one thing I found out. Let me tell you how. Let me tell you how. Let me tell you how. Tell me. The moment you have a child and you let the child know this is right and this is wrong. Believe you me, your children. When similar things pop up, they say that's not right. That's what my children say. I agree. That's not right. Research has shown that. I understand that it starts from the family. That's the first agent of socialization. But their influence can also be very, very strong. Okay, okay. The reason why family upbringing is the only... To all of us... You know, basically, I like to play the devil's advocate. I agree with you because it's meant to be enjoyed. And it should not be put in a jacket. The truth is this. Our children will grow up listening to future music and referring to the Myra Malleys of this world as having produced classical music. Oh my God. I will strongly... I will strongly... I'm actually a Malian. You're sharing the studio today with a Malian. That would be epic really. That would make sense to me. The Malian doesn't want to cause the pillar of proper music. It's just like that. That would not allow him to ride the anthem of the new nation that I heard. It's going to be great. All the bands are looking for the best of luck. All right. Okay, so I don't know what Ejema has seen or noticed but she's saying it's time to call Fastuna. Stay with us.