From hit groups to disappointing solo careers .

The Nigerian music industry is replete with phenomenal musical groups, which held everyone spellbound, but shockingly separating to abysmal solo careers. E-gist in retrospect, takes a look at some of the musical groups, perceived cause of breakup and performance as solo artistes.

They made great hits and were loved by all. They gained fame and fortune, and suddenly, when everyone thought they would stick for life, they split. What followed was unimaginable; an amazingly disappointing solo careers, for most. Interestingly, however, there are a few who are doing well for themselves.

This is the mixed fortunes of the Nigerian music industry where it appears that musical groups are increasingly becoming extinct. Have you ever given thought to what is happening to individual members of the Plantashun Boiz or the Remedies? How about Kush, Mandators, Xclusives, Zule Zoo, Tribesmen, JJC and the 419 Squad, Oriental Brothers, Junior and Pretty, Maintain and countless others? Indeed, the Nigerian music industry has witnessed awesome and shock changes, and still. In the last few years, for instance, the Nigerianized Rhythms and Blues and African Hip-Hop, have improved in terms of lyrical contents and packaging, including the videos.

Instructively, while many musical groups have made commendable impacts, the story of the Nigerian music industry would not be complete without the mention of The Plantashun Boiz and the Remedies, Nigeria’s foremost R and B groups. At a time very few people saw a future in African Hip-Hop and Nigerianized R and B, these groups waddled into the genres and against all odds, notched a few awards and till today, their hugely successful adventure has remained a reference point, as well as a source of encouragement, for upcoming musical groups.

Although separated and pursuing solo careers, not many members of the groups are replicating the success streaks that trailed them when they were working as a group. While a few are still on top of their games and doing well for themselves, many are simply a part of the struggling numbers. Formerly made up of the trio of Blackface, Tuface and Faze, Plantashun Boiz reigned supreme; not only did their single dominate the Nigerian airwaves for many years, they also proved of a truth that there were exceedingly untapped musical talents in Nigeria. Seemingly following in the footsteps of The Remedies – also a three-member group comprised of Tony Tetuila, Eedris Abdulkareem and Eddy Remedies, Plantashun Boiz left everyone spellbound through their scintillating and soulful vocal delivery. They seemed an apt icing on the cake of Hip-hop and R and B, The Remedies having discovered and built a strong fan base for Hip-hop and R and B, years before Plantashun Boiz arrived on the scene.

Similar in several respects, however, not much would be deciphered by just a cursory look. It really goes beyond the fact that the now moribund groups sang somewhat similar Nigerianized R and B, heavily laced with Ibo, Yoruba and Hausa dialects, to the understanding that most groups that sprang up during the era were encouraged by the acceptance The Remedies and Plantashun Boiz enjoyed while their union lasted.

It is common knowledge that The Remedies was the brainchild of Eddy Remedies, its defacto leader, until the split. While the union endured, Eddy’s voice gave direction and focus to nearly all the songs from the staple of this hugely successful group. Like Eddy, Blackface also a pioneer member of the Plantashun Boiz and leader, wielded great powers. While they rocked music airwaves together, Blackface, it was said, though arguably, wrote most of their songs and so shone like a million stars. Till today, opinion remains divided between Blackface and Eddy, who aped the other. The reason is simply because these two influential members of the groups have not clicked in their solo careers since members of the group went their separate ways over irreconcilable differences.

The truth remains that those who were considered second rate in the groups, talk of Eedris and Faze, and by extension, Tuface, are those dictating the pace of the Nigerian R and B and taking with it the awards, corporate endorsements, fame and financial fortunes. While the union endured, Eddy only paused for a few seconds for Eedris Abdulkareem to rap, while the baby of the group, Tony Tetuila, managed a few lines and sometimes, kept mute, just comfortable with his backup position from where he simply nodded his head and gesticulates. In fact, Tetuila was the perfect liability in the group, which silently had Eddy’s name looming large. In the Plantashun Boiz, too, Blackface and Tuface shared the vocal front row, while Faze made due with a less-fancied backup role. There were even some of their works that did not have Faze’s voice. The duo of Tuface and Blackface stole the show, while Faze lumbered around like a rhino in the background with a role similar to Tetuila’s.

Surprisingly, today, the reverse seems to be the case. It would seem that the supposed liabilities of the groups are now the ones making waves and dictating the pace; grabbing the headlines and smiling to the banks. From the look of things today, neither Blackface nor Eddy is doing better as solo artistes. The case of Tetuila is even a little less pathetic. Many years after going solo, Blackface is yet to impress music lovers who had braved all odds to watch the Plantashun Boiz perform. The story is not different with Eddy. Apart from his first solo album: The Return of Eddy Remedy, this Delta State indigene whose marriage with the Chief Executive Officer of Kennis Music messily hit the rocks years back, has not acquitted himself with the vocal influences which many thought he wielded in the days of the The Remedies. While music lovers were excited at his return, the album curiously increased the list of failed comeback albums having fallen far below Tetuila’s My Car and Jigijigi. Then, he went into the cooler only to re-appear on the headlines on account of the crisis that trailed his marriage. With the union still in tatters, Eddy has since taken the back seat, musically speaking; just as many believe that his music career has become irrecoverably kaput.