No one is incapable of redemption, even British Airways. Sorry. I meant Skibii Mayana.
2019 has been about discovery and second chances. New cats like Teni the Entertainer, Naira Marley and Zlatan have consolidated their gains (unlike Victor AD) and an unlikely hero of new songs has emerged in the likeness of Skibii Mayana.
Baby-faced and bearded, Skibii used to be the golden boy of Five Star entertainment in the manner Wizkid lived up to his sobriquet for EME records (Sorry again, Skales).
Of course, the issue of talent (or the lack thereof) has never been a cogent preserve of popular music. Cynics of contemporary Nigerian music (including Reuben Abati) have dismissed the sounds of the struggling youth within a failed system as artistes of a lesser value when, in actual fact, they suffer from puritan palates.
After Skibii joined his new home, the business of making him a pop star began in that usual manner: find a song with a generic melody, a beat that can coax dance, a crisp music video (Let Clarence Shoot it!), some PAYOLA money and a bit of luck. The success rate of this intervention is quite sporadic but it has remained the modus operandi of music industry practitioners.
Skibii Manyana with his good looks only needed good luck to add to his seat at the table but youthful recklessness soon led him to a cul de sac instead of a destination. He engineered a hare-brained caper; he faked his own death.
The extent of his record label’s involvement remains shrouded in mysteey but the nature of his actions continue to embarrass
Regardless, Skibii continued to release records, his industry showing forth in the sheer number of songs he put out. Skibii has probably not read Fitzgerald on Failing Better, but he continued with tenacity that belied his talent. His songs usually aligned with the zeitgeist but never propelled him beyond his B Minus status.
If Skibii had collected his singles he would probably have two albums now, but albums in the age of streaming seem to have negligible impact compared to the playlist. Skibii’s career was a yo-yo; up and down, up and down, achieving stasis, which is better than decline.
Then “Sensima” happened. The jaunty beat rendered and the composite chemistry Skibii wangled with fellow songsmith Reekado Banks was an irresistible song for bending yansh.
You only need to attend an African party in Europe to understand this.