Veteran drummer and musician, Steve Black Aiwansosa, has said he is not returning to the music scene to compete with younger stars such as Davido and Burna Boy, but to contribute his wealth of experience to the industry.
Steve Black, as he is popularly known in entertainment circles, made the remarks following the release of his latest album, Funky Lagos, which has been gaining attention across major digital music platforms.
The veteran musician said his goal is to provide mature and meaningful music for listeners while supporting the younger generation of Nigerian artistes.
“I am bringing in my experience to support the great job the young ones are doing right now. I want to give mature and meaningful lyrics to those in search of it, not the songs that preach sex, violence, alcohol, drugs and what have you that is all over the place now,” he said.
Released under his Dudu Music label, Funky Lagos is a seven-track album featuring songs including Tomorrow, Asiko Laye, Do It Now and Jealousy.
The project was recorded in Steve Black’s personal studio and produced by the veteran musician with the support of experienced Nigerian session musicians.
He described the album as his fourth full-length project, apart from numerous singles released throughout his career, which dates back to 1979 when he released his debut album, Village Boogie.
Steve Black made his name in the Nigerian music scene during the 1970s as a drummer who worked with notable artistes including Kris Okotie, Eric Kool and Oby Onyeoha.
Despite his age, the veteran musician said he remains passionate about making music and has continued to adapt to changes in the industry.
“The time is changing and it waits for no one and I am moving with time. I am grooving with it,” he said.
However, Steve Black lamented the decline of the major live music concerts that were common in Nigeria from the 1970s through the 1980s and 1990s and into the early 2000s.
He said corporate sponsorship and the challenging economic climate had contributed to the decline of such events, which he believes provided important platforms for musicians to perform.
“I’m still strong to feature in live concerts but where are they now? The economy has dealt with them. God has blessed me with good health but lack of concerts have slowed me down so I decided to return to recording,” he said.
On promoting his new album, the veteran musician said he has embraced digital technology and streaming platforms to reach listeners across the world.
“Thank God for technology. I have embraced it fully. My works, both the new and the old, are all on Spotify and all other streaming platforms. Just go there, download the music, play and pay. That is all. I follow the trend,” he said.
Steve Black also dismissed suggestions that he is too old to return to the recording studio, insisting that creativity has no age limit.
“People have been asking if I am not too old to go to the studio and I keep telling them no; that there is no end to creativity. I will continue to perform or release album till I die,” he said.
