Entertainment

Harrysong urges government action on music piracy, calls for creative industry reform

Afrobeats artist Harrysong has called on the Nigerian government to implement proper systems that protect artists’ work and curb the rising threat of music piracy.

The singer made this appeal on Thursday during the Youth Forum segment of Channels Television’s special programme marking President Bola Tinubu’s second year in office.

The event, themed “Pressing Issues Affecting Nigeria’s Youth”, brought together government officials and key stakeholders to address major youth-related concerns across sectors such as education, health, business, and the creative industry.

Speaking during a panel on the entertainment sector, Harrysong stressed the importance of engaging experienced industry professionals in meaningful dialogue with policymakers. “The government must engage those who understand the business. If we can have that conversation and they are truly willing to address the issues, I believe we’ll make progress,” he said.

The “Reggae Blues” crooner emphasized the urgent need for structural reforms to ensure transparency, accountability, and profitability within the industry. According to him, the lack of such systems makes it difficult for artists to reinvest earnings locally or confidently host concerts in Nigeria.

“We need a structure that locks this system so that we know what goes in and what comes out,” he stated. “If we can protect the music, we can sell the tickets. But if the songs are pirated, we can’t recoup investments or plan shows confidently.”

Harrysong lamented that while artists enjoy support from international audiences who pay for music and subscribe to streaming services, Nigerian fans often pirate songs, making it difficult for local musicians to earn from their domestic audience. “Most of the time, you’ll hear musicians here in Nigeria complain that our people don’t buy tickets,” he said. “They hack the sound.”

He added that artists frequently rely on revenue from countries like the United Kingdom, where platforms such as iTunes and Spotify offer reliable earnings data. “When you check your iTunes backup, from London, from the UK… you’ll see how much people are buying the music,” he said. “Meanwhile, Nigerians here try to cut corners to get the same song for free.”

While Nigeria’s music industry continues to gain global attention with artists like Wizkid and Asake selling out venues like London’s O2 Arena Harrysong’s comments highlight a growing concern: that artists are prioritizing international markets due to better copyright protections and digital infrastructure.

In response to such concerns, the Lagos State Government in 2024 announced plans to build a 12,000-capacity entertainment arena by December 2025 to boost the local creative economy.

The ongoing Youth Forum also features ministers including Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo (Interior), Bosun Tijani (Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy), Ayodele Olawande (Youth Development), and John Enoh (Industry, State), all of whom are expected to outline government efforts to support the entertainment industry and address broader youth challenges.

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button