In this social media era, it’s great to watch how fans gravitate towards their favorite pop royalties. The show of appreciation is overwhelming. Come rain come shine, they follow the artists, attend their shows, buy their music and re-share all the information they put out. These fans will take bullets for their stars. But If you are in doubt, go check out fans of Phyno, Olamide, Davido and the Wizkid’s of this industry.

How I wish I could turn back the hands of time, take these audience and social media along, and make them witness some of the breathtaking artists that introduced themselves into the Nigerian music industry with game changing rhythm and riff contrarily to what was in vogue; sound that can still trend today. I’m talking about artists in the ilk of Emmanuel Okose a.k.a Soul E. He held the industry spellbound.

2006, At a time when D’banj and Don Jazzy were at the verge of a takeover in the industry. Years before, we had bid farewell to the greatest music groups in Nigeria with the obvious end to Remedies, Trybesmen and the Plantashun Boiz; even though their music were still dominating. Despite all the great sound from the listed artists/ entertainers, the introduction of Soul E ‘Soul E Baba’, was an epic moment.

The rate at which the music industry embraced him was quite unbelievable. Radio stations ceaselessly spun his music over again, while the creativity around his video generated massive buzz, so much that some people were of the opinion the video was not edited in Nigeria. With a smooth voice, lyrics well arranged and structured, while his choice of words made his chorus a popular sing along, Soul E dominated.

In a country then with a huge percentage of artists that can hardly perform with a live band, Soul E chose live band as the only route to his audience’s heart. His debut eight-track album ‘Naija is blessed’ under the imprint of Colossal Entertainment was a collector’s item. The record label then facilitated the coming to Nigeria of Texas based Beat Brothaz to work on the mastering of the album. With all of these, the fame came, marriage to Queen Ure followed and all of a sudden, the music stops flowing, allowing for Soul E’s domestic drama to be aired on public space. In the midst of the Topsy-turvy, the call to become a pastor came calling. I just can’t stop wondering, what could have been if everything had worked out perfectly for him in the music industry. He’s one of of the most talented artist to pass through the Nigerian music industry.