The government should implement effective mechanisms to safeguard artists’ work and combat widespread music piracy, according to Nigerian singer Harrysong.
The Afrobeats star made the call on Thursday during the Youth Forum segment of Channels Television’s special program to celebrate President Buo Tinubu’s second year in office.
Key players and government officials addressed issues in fields like education, health, business, and the creative industry with the theme “Pressing Issues Affecting Nigeria’s Youth.”
Harrysong, who spoke on the topic of the creative sector, argued that open dialogue between policymakers and experienced industry players is essential to solving these issues during a panel discussion.
“The government must work with those who are knowledgeable about the industry.” I think we will advance if we can have that conversation and they are willing to address the issues, he said.
The “Reggae Blues” singer stressed the importance of a strong organizational structure to ensure accountability and transparency in the sector.
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He remarked that it becomes challenging to reinvest profits locally or to hold lucrative concerts in Nigeria without such systems.
We require a system lock to control both what enters and exits. We can sell the tickets if we can protect the music. However, he continued, “We can’t recoup investments or plan shows confidently” if the songs were stolen.
Artists Rely On International Platforms Despite Struggle
Due to the prevalence of music piracy, Harrysong lamented that many Nigerian artists are unable to generate revenue from their local fan bases, leading many to look for employment abroad.
You’ll hear musicians complaining that our citizens don’t buy tickets the majority of the time in Nigeria.
People outside the country pay to pay for the music, subscribe, and stream it. However, the sound is being hacked by our home-based citizens. You don’t even receive the money you paid for that song, he said.
The singer cited the transparent revenue models of platforms like iTunes and Spotify, which artists frequently rely on to make money in nations like the United Kingdom.
You’ll be able to see how many people are purchasing the music when you check your iTunes backup from London, the UK, and other countries. Nigerians here, on the other hand, make an effort to avoid paying extra for the same song. He said that’s where piracy comes in.
Nigeria’s music industry, particularly the Afrobeats style, has long had a significant international following, with several local stars dominating international charts and stages.
However, there is a price for this rise in notoriety. Numerous Nigerian artists are now shifting their music’s focus to international markets where more money can be made from their music thanks to better digital infrastructure and copyright protections.
Selling out global venues like the O2 Arena in London has become the new standard of success for artists like Asake and Wizkid, with some sayings more impressive than playing live shows there.
However, the Lagos State Government made the announcement in 2024 that a 12, 000-capacity entertainment arena would be constructed by December 2025 in an effort to reverse this trend.
Source: Channels TV
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