…Out with inspirational reggae album
Sunday, September 17, 2023, was the day Mazi Njikoka Okolie a.k.a. Nature Man, chose to launch into the ever booming Nigerian music. The day he proudly accomplished almost a 40-year musical project, typified in an album entitled “Inspiration”, at a public launch cum presentation in Lagos, witnessed by friends, family and associates from far and near.
The beauty of this is that Nature Man the route nobody is interested in Nigeria at present. He is coming in hot in reggae tunes that will bring back the genre in Nigeria like in the days of the yore.
The eight-track package, which is a delivery marked the realisation of a dream Okolie passionately pursued as a young man but could not attain at the time.
The gathering of the large number of people including children during the album launch at the Grail Land hall Iju, Lagos, that fateful Sunday generated so much joy which visibly pervaded Okolie’s entire being, exhibited in his giration to the stage and subsequent performance of some of the songs in his music offering to the obvious delight of the enthusiastic crowd in attendance.
Thanking his guests for their support and encouragement in respect of his project, Okolie, business man and accomplished fashion designer, expressed gratitude to the Creator for making his long-held dream come through even as he approached 70.
Giving an insight into what informed “Had I Known”, a track of the album, Nature Man said that Africa and particularly, Nigeria was endowed by God with wealth-developing material and ebullient human resources, and had no reason to be in the state of abject lack and poverty confronting the people.
Dr. Adejobi, the event’s chairman, commended the artiste whom he described as well gifted and talented artistically. Noting that people had raised issues concerning his desire to release a music album at his age, Adejobi countered that he had seen those above 70 who quite recently made good music just as he stressed that Okolie was hugely talented and had the right to pursue music if he so wished, age not withstanding.
Earlier, to set the tone for the day’s event, two acts, Recurrents, and Black Hero, had gingered up the guests with “Dolingo” and “Keep Hope Alive”, respectively.
Okolie was ushered into the hall by a large train of women, kids and his town folks with a fanfare after which he belted a couple of tunes in his debut album, “Inspiration”. No doubt, given his enthusiasm and never-giving-up spirit as evidenced in his delivery, many guests left the launch venue inspired.
