By Rita Okoye
Orits Wiliki is a towering figure in Nigerian reggae, a genre that flourished in the 1980s with artists like Majek Fashek, Ras Kimono, and The Mandators. These pioneers crafted timeless songs that resonate with societal issues, cultural pride, and spiritual reflection. Despite the genre’s decline in Nigeria, Wiliki remains a steadfast beacon, keeping its spirit alive.
His journey to fame began with the 1989 album, Tribulation, partially produced by Lemmy Jackson. This album solidified his position as a leading voice in reggae music throughout the 1990s. However, the genre’s decline in recent years and the loss of many of its pioneers has cast a shadow over its legacy.
Wiliki embodies the true spirit of an artist. His unwavering dedication to reggae; his commitment to inspiring others; and his call for structural reforms in the music industry make him a vital voice in Nigeria’s cultural landscape. His songs are rooted in themes of faith, justice, and resilience.
In this interview with The Entertainer, Wiliki sheds light on his passion for music, challenges and importance of living a legacy behind.
By Vera Wisdom-Bassey
What would you say about the kinds of music that young artists churn out these days?
I understand that music comes in circles like fashion; what you are hearing today might never be forever because there are lots of instances where music comes and goes but what is most important is what you will be remembered for.
The difference between what we were doing then and now is that we are inspired to write songs, but what we see our children do today is that they just go to the studio, play, and revive on it. There is no way you can put those songs side by side for a long time. If you are inspired to write a song, that song should outlive you, that is what we are encouraging upcoming artists to do.
I had once asked if they would feel comfortable seeing their grandchildren listen or sing to their songs, because what they sing these days is profanity. Where does that lead us?
We should be more focused on those things that will inspire people to live godly and righteously. That is the purpose of our creation.
For younger artists, what they see inspire them, what inspires you?
God is my number one inspiration. That is why every song that I have written is connected to a particular song in the Bible. The Bible inspires me. I am a Raster man, so I study the Bible every day. Two things inspire me when I am writing my songs: God the creator and, secondly, anywhere I see oppression, it also inspires me.
Can you compare African music to that of the Western world?
It is reversing; Nigerian music is now being played in Asia and India. If you go to their nightclubs, you will hear Nigerian music all over. So, we give our children kudos for being able to push our music to that level. You see, they are yielding a lot of foreign exchange into our country now because if you know what our children are earning for performing outside the globe, it will amaze you. Today, you see Americans trying hard to collaborate with our own, something substantially better than what they know. Here is the root of music as Africans, we are musically inclined. Music is everything about us. When you give birth to a baby, music is what you use to herald the baby. When you die, music is what is used to set the person home, music is part of our culture and heritage.
If you were not a musician, what would you have become?
I would have become an actor. I was an actor before the music career came up. I think I make a better actor than musician. I was not only acting but producing. I love acting.
What’s your advice to the younger generation pursuing a music career and not getting help from the government?
They should not be despaired, because the government has a lot to do. They are turning their backs on helping the youth. The GDP is what it is because they don’t know the value of what music can bring in. Music is better than oil. Oil will run dry, music will never run dry. The government should start creating a new strategic policy to empower the youth, give them access to funding to record their music and put it out there, and create a platform where they can have access to funding. If all these are in place, you will be amazed in five years what Nigeria will be like.
What are those challenges that made you drop your music career?
I never dropped my music career, I am still recording. What I will say is that some of us are into music because of money. There are also some who see music as our tonic. That is why we do it passionately, not necessarily what you will get. If we are looking at what we will get, it is nothing to write home about, except the big names. If you hear the name Orits Wiliki and compare me with an artist of my caliber in the USA, you will see that I am supposed to be living on an Island. But here, there are no structures for talents. That is where we are going down. And so, I believe if we can bring down those structures that can stay in the music industry, Nigeria should be smiling.
In other words, for you, money is not the interest?
It is not my interest. Music is a calling for me. Some looked at the monetary gains before going into music, while some of us did music for the passion and, of course, the calling. It is like when you have the calling to become a pastor; no amount of money can change that course; if the money comes, fine and if not, fine.
“If the money comes, you are happy, and if it does not, you are happy, but you are doing that thing that brings you joy, first of all, and also puts joy on the faces of people.