Nigerian music artist Oxlade has called on his fellow musicians to produce longer songs, sparking a debate in the industry. In a recent post on X, Oxlade advocated for a return to 5-minute songs, a notion that resonated with many of his followers. The comment section of his post saw an outpouring of support for his suggestion, with many agreeing that longer songs would be a welcome change.
In recent years, the Nigerian music scene has witnessed a trend of short songs, typically lasting between two minutes and a few seconds. This shift towards brevity was initiated by prominent artists such as Wizkid and Mr Eazi, and later adopted by newcomers like Rema, Joeboy, Omah Lay, and Ayra Starr, who debuted between 2019 and 2021. Oxlade himself had previously released shorter songs, including his 2022 hit “Kulosa,” which lasts 2 minutes and 31 seconds.
The contrast between Nigerian music and other genres, such as South African Amapiano, is notable. Amapiano songs often exceed seven minutes in duration, highlighting the differences in musical styles and preferences between regions. The trend of short songs in Nigeria has been a subject of discussion among music enthusiasts, with some arguing that it limits artistic expression and others seeing it as a way to cater to shorter attention spans.
Oxlade’s appeal to his colleagues to produce longer songs may signal a desire for a change in the industry’s approach to music production. As the Nigerian music scene continues to evolve, it remains to be seen whether Oxlade’s suggestion will gain traction and lead to a shift towards longer, more elaborate songs. The debate sparked by Oxlade’s post underscores the ongoing discussion about the direction of Nigerian music and the role of artists in shaping the industry’s sound.
