Better Ways To Become A Successful Musical Artist In Nigeria

Becoming a musical artist in Nigeria can be exciting and fun. A musical artist is someone who makes music, records it, and shares it with everyone. In Nigeria, many people love music, and it's a great way to make others happy. If you want to be a music star, you need to work hard, have good friends to help you, and practice a lot. Here are some easy steps to help you become a successful musical artist in Nigeria.

1. Make Friends with Other Artists

Be Friends with Other Musicians: Try to be friends with other artists, even if they are new or already famous. Go to their practice sessions and shows. You can learn a lot by watching them.
Help with Their Shows: Help other artists with their shows. You will learn about performing, and they might help you in the future.
Work Together: If you can, make songs with other artists. Singing with someone famous can help you become well-known.
Learn from Them: Famous artists know a lot about music. They can help you learn how to make deals and understand how the music business works.

2. Go to Music Shows Often

Learn from Watching: Go to lots of music shows to see different artists perform. Watch how they sing, dance, and talk to the audience.
See What the Audience Likes: Pay attention to what makes people cheer and dance. This can help you make music that people love.
Stay Inspired: Watching other artists can make you want to work harder and get better.
Meet New People: Music shows are also great places to meet other people who work in music, like DJs, producers, and managers. These friends can help you get more shows and opportunities.

3. Work with Good Musicians

Hire Good Players: The music you use is important. A good beat can make your song sound amazing. Find skilled musicians to make your songs better.
Make Sure It Sounds Great: Sometimes, a good song can sound bad if the music isn’t good. Work with people who can make your songs sound awesome.
Make a Band: If you want to perform live, think about making a band. A band can make your performances more exciting.
Work with a Producer: A producer can help make your music sound professional. They can help you arrange your songs and make them sound their best.

4. Write Your Own Songs

Create Your Message: Write down the words of your song and how you want it to go. This helps you know what you want to say in your music.
Find Your Own Style: Writing your own songs will help you find your own unique style that makes you different from others.
Try Different Types of Music: Don’t be afraid to try different kinds of music. Mixing different styles can make your music sound fresh and special.
Keep Writing: Practice writing songs every day. The more you write, the better you get.

5. Practise Singing a Lot

Practise All the Time: Practising is the best way to get better. The more you sing, the more comfortable you will feel.
Know Your Songs Well: Practising helps you remember your songs and makes you confident on stage.
Train Your Voice: Do vocal exercises to make your voice stronger. You can even find a singing teacher to help you.
Listen to Your Practice: Record yourself singing and listen to it. This will help you hear what you need to improve.

6. Get a Backup Singer

Pick a Good Backup Singer: A backup singer can make your songs sound more exciting. Choose someone whose voice sounds nice with yours.
Make Your Songs Better: With a backup singer, you can add more parts to your song, like harmonies, to make it sound richer.
Practise Together: Sing with your backup singer often so you work well together on stage.
Use Backup Vocals for Recordings: Adding backup vocals can make your recorded songs sound fuller and more interesting.

7. Get Feedback from Other Artists

Ask Other Artists for Help: Invite other musicians to listen to you sing and give you tips. They can help you see what you need to improve.
Listen to Advice: Feedback is very important. It can help you get better before you release your music to the public.
Join Workshops: Go to music workshops to learn more. Experienced artists can help you make your performances better.
Listen to Your Fans: Fans are important! Listen to what they like and what they think. It can help you make better songs.

8. Start with Small Shows

Start Small: Perform at small shows, even if the pay isn’t much. It will help you get experience and make more people know you.
Don’t Charge Too Much: At first, don’t ask for a lot of money. As you get more popular, you can start asking for more.
Perform at Community Events: Go to community events, school shows, and open mic nights. These are good places to start.
Learn from Every Show: After each performance, think about what went well and what didn’t. This will help you get better each time.

9. How Music Helps People

Music is amazing! It makes people happy, helps them feel better, and can even make them healthier. When you make good music, you make people smile and feel good. Here are some reasons why music is important:

Feelings: Music can make people feel happy, sad, or excited. If your songs connect with people’s feelings, they will love your music.
Culture: Music helps keep culture alive. Nigerian music is special, and you can be part of sharing that culture with the world.

Extra Tips for New Nigerian Artists

1. Know Your Audience

Understand What People Like: Different people like different kinds of music. Learn what your audience likes and make music for them.
Add Local Flavours: Nigerian music is full of culture. Adding local sounds and languages can make your music more special.
Make Songs with Meaning: Songs that tell a story or share an important message are often remembered for a long time. Write about love, hope, or anything that makes people think.

2. Use Social Media

Be Online: Use Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube to share your music. Post videos, behind-the-scenes clips, and talk to your fans.
Work with Influencers: Find popular people on social media to help share your music. Their fans might become your fans too!
Post Often: Keep posting so your fans don’t forget about you. Posting often helps you stay popular.
Talk to Your Fans: Reply to comments and ask your fans questions. This makes them feel special and helps you know what they like.

3. Make Your Brand Strong

Stay Consistent: Make sure your look, style, and message are the same everywhere. This helps people remember you.
Tell Your Story: People love stories. Tell them about your journey, your dreams, and your hard work. This helps fans feel close to you.
Make Merchandise: Create a logo and sell T-shirts or hats. It helps promote your brand and gives fans something cool to wear.
Have Your Own Style: Have a style that is just yours—whether it’s your clothes, music, or personality. It will make you stand out.

4. Get Help from Professionals

Hire a Manager: As you grow, managing everything can be hard. A manager can help you get shows, deals, and more.
Work with a Producer: A producer can make your songs sound amazing. They know how to polish songs and make them ready for the radio.
Public Relations (PR): A PR expert can help you get featured in magazines or on TV and keep your image positive.
Get a Lawyer: A lawyer can help you with contracts and make sure your music is protected.

5. Promote Your Music

Get on Radio and TV: Get your songs on local radio stations and music TV channels to reach more people.
Music Blogs: Reach out to blogs to feature your music. Being on popular blogs can help more people find you.
Use Streaming Services: Make sure your music is on Spotify, Apple Music, and Boomplay. These platforms help you reach people all over the world.
Make Great Music Videos: A good video can get lots of attention. Put your music on YouTube so more people can enjoy it.

6. Perform Live as Much as You Can

Show Your Talent: Performing live is the best way to gain fans. Play at concerts, festivals, or small events to show what you can do.
Meet People: Go to music events and festivals. Meeting people in the industry can help you find new chances to perform.
Street Performances: Performing on the street can help you get noticed. It’s a fun way to show off your talent to new people.
Charity Shows: Perform at charity events. It’s a good way to help others and reach new people.

7. Stay Strong and Keep Going

Face Challenges: The music world can be hard, and sometimes people might say no. Keep trying and never give up.
Celebrate Small Wins: Every little success is important. Celebrate them to keep your spirits up.
Set Small Goals: Break big goals into small ones. Reaching each small goal will make you feel good and keep you motivated.
Have Positive Friends: Stay around people who support you and make you feel good. They will help you keep going.

Types of Nigerian Music

Nigerian music has lots of different styles. Here are some popular ones you can try:

Afrobeats: This is the most popular music style in Nigeria right now. It mixes African music with jazz, funk, and electronic sounds. Artists like Wizkid and Burna Boy are famous for Afrobeats.
Highlife: Highlife has fun beats with guitars and horns. It’s good for making people feel happy and relaxed.
Hip-Hop: Many young people love hip-hop. If you like rapping and telling stories, hip-hop might be for you.
Gospel: Gospel music is very popular. It’s a good choice if you like singing about faith and hope.
Fuji and Juju: These are traditional styles that many people still love. They are great if you want to make music that keeps traditions alive.

The Business Side of Music

To be successful, you need to know about the business side of music too. Here are some important things:

1. Music Distribution

Streaming Platforms: Put your music on places like Spotify, Apple Music, and Boomplay so more people can hear it.
Digital Services: Use companies like DistroKid to help put your music online.
Physical Copies: CDs and vinyl records can still be popular, especially at shows where fans might want a souvenir.

2. Royalties and Copyrights

Register Your Songs: Protect your songs by registering them. COSON in Nigeria can help protect your rights.
Earn Money: When your music is played or used, you get paid. Learning about royalties can help you make money.
License Your Music: Let your music be used in movies or adverts. It can help you earn more and get noticed.

3. Merchandise

Make Merchandise: Selling things like T-shirts with your name or logo is a fun way to make money and promote yourself.
Bundle Deals: Sell merchandise with your music. Fans may love buying a T-shirt along with your CD.

Challenges in the Nigerian Music Industry

There are some challenges that you may face as an artist in Nigeria:

1. Limited Money

Cost of Making Music: It can be expensive to make good music and videos. Look for sponsors or try crowdfunding to get support.

2. Piracy

Music Piracy: Many people download music illegally, which affects artists. Teach your fans why it’s important to support you the right way.
Use Technology: Use digital tools to help protect your music from being copied without permission.

3. Competition

Stand Out: There are lots of talented artists in Nigeria, so it can be hard to stand out. Focus on being unique and true to yourself.
Keep Learning: Always learn new things about music to stay ahead of others and keep your music fresh.

Conclusion

Becoming a successful musical artist in Nigeria takes lots of hard work, practice, and dedication. Make good friends, keep practising, listen to advice, and never give up. Remember to always be yourself, understand what your fans like, and keep learning. With passion and the right plan, you can be successful and make a big impact with your music.

The journey might be hard, but the rewards are worth it. Music is not just a job—it’s a way to make people happy, share your story, and inspire others. So keep singing, keep dreaming, and keep believing in yourself. You can do it, and your dreams are waiting for you!