Timaya Laments About the Growing Economic Hardship in Nigeria and Its Impact on the Music Industry

Nigerian musician Timaya, whose real name is Inetimi Alfred Odom, recently shared his concerns about the increasing economic hardships affecting people globally, particularly in Nigeria.

While acknowledging that economic struggles are a universal issue, Timaya emphasized that the situation in Nigeria is more pronounced than anywhere else. He expressed his feelings in a recent interview with Channels Television, stating, “Things are really hard. I feel it for people because if people are not happy, I can’t be happy, too. I pay bills. I help a lot of people. So I understand what people are going through. I’m also feeling it [the hardship],”

The musician also highlighted the drastic increase in living costs, which has affected his own life and the lives of those around him. “My staff’s salaries and upkeep for family members have drastically increased because of the high cost of living. You don’t expect things to be normal. Even politicians are crying, too, not to talk of me. The only way you can meet up with the current economic demands is if you’re earning in dollars. If you’re earning forex and you convert it to naira, that’s how you can ball,” he explained.

Timaya also pointed out that economic struggles are not unique to Nigeria, citing the United States as an example. “Even in America right now, things are still hard there because they’re earning in dollars and spending in dollars. It’s hard everywhere. The world is hard right now, but Nigeria is harder.”

In addition to discussing the general economic climate, Timaya touched on the specific challenges facing the music industry in Nigeria. “Currently, you need a lot of money to promote music. Before, we didn’t even bother about shooting music videos. Even if we were shooting a video, it cost just N1.5 million. Now, just to shoot one video: 100 million, 50 million, 60 million. And when you shoot the video, to promote it, you need more millions. That’s why booking fees for artists now are expensive,” he said.

Overall, Timaya’s words paint a picture of the harsh economic realities affecting not just Nigeria but the world at large. As a well-known musician, his experiences and insights offer a unique perspective on the impact of economic struggles on individuals and industries.