Rani Karibi Ikiriko and Gina Cephas: Two up-and-coming Nigerian musicians react to Covid-19 setback in the Nigeria music industry

 Covid-19 will definitely change a whole lot of things in life. It will increase unemployment as many people may loose their jobs. It would  affect businesses, careers and even showbiz industry. Little wonder two up-and-coming Nigerian musicians share with adanneamos.blogspot.com  the aftermath of Covid 19 in the Nigeria music world.

Rani Karibi Ikiriko, fondly known as Rani K. opines that the Nigeria music industry has already started suffering some setbacks during the first two weeks of  lock-down. “The pandemic has really started affecting the entertainment industry as a whole. The music industry started suffering some setbacks right from the time of the first two weeks of lock-down. Reason is that artistes make money from show performances, club appearances and ceremonies. Yes, we make money from social gatherings but now that they are saying that we must adhere to social distancing, it is going to affect events and ceremonies. And that in return would affect us musicians/performers.  How do we make money when people we are supposed to entertain are cautious or afraid  of contracting Covid-19? This is surely going to weigh the industry down,” she enthused.

Rani K is also an entrepreneur and a model.  Her focus is on motivating and inspiring people positively with her music. This Rivers State born has been  a voice to the physically challenged in Nigeria

Gina Cephas another lady of song buttresses Rani K’s  points. “I concur with what my colleague in the music industry has just said. Covid-19 will really affect the music artistes badly especially in the area of events, life shows and stage performances which are our main business. When you spend some good  money to organize musical shows and people fail to turn up, you can imagine the big loss you have made. I pray that this pandemic goes away so that life would return to the way it was. I’m not finding this funny honestly. Covid-19 has brought so much fears in us. Fear of death, fear of sickness, and fear of hardship. Who else do we turn to at this hard times if not God?  I pray that God would rescue  us,” she prays, in an emotion-laden-voice 

  

Gina Cephas is a musician    Story By ADAEZE AMOS