Veteran Nigerian musician Bright Chimezie has raised concerns about the quality of lyrics in today’s music, stressing that many contemporary songs may not stand the test of time.
Speaking on a recent episode of the CreativTea podcast, the “Respect Africa” crooner praised the younger generation of musicians for their innovation and rhythms but faulted them for neglecting lyrical depth.
“Music is more profitable now than it was in my time. The only problem I have with the present crop of artists is their lyrical content,” Chimezie said. “In terms of rhythms and every other thing, they are doing quite okay. But what message are they passing to society?”
The veteran singer, whose hit track Respect Africa was released in 1984, noted that the strength of music lies in lyrics that remain relevant decades later.
“I can still watch what I did 40 years ago and be proud of my lyrics,” he explained. “These days, I ask young artists: by the time your music is 40 years old, can you sit with your children, listen back, and still be proud of yourself?”
While acknowledging that today’s artists are achieving remarkable success, Chimezie urged them to pay closer attention to the messages in their songs.
“They are doing very well. But I think it is very important for them to add good lyrics to their music,” he added.
Chimezie’s comments echo a growing debate about whether the Afrobeats-dominated Nigerian music industry prioritizes commercial appeal over meaningful storytelling.
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