Bright Chimezie - The Truth behind his Spotlight

Glitch Africa Studio's platform for "The Honest Bunch Podcast" recently hosted Nigerian music legend Bright Chimezie, giving voice to the pioneer of Zigima Sound and his lifelong crusade against the psychological remnants of colonialism in Africa. The conversation, facilitated by Glitch Africa Studios, served as a "historical reference" for students and young people, bridging the generational gap by showcasing an artist whose music was fundamentally used as a "tool to fight against colonialism and for the integration and promotion of African unity".

Chimezie, born on October 1, 1960, detailed his early life, marked by traditional music influences like Aruno and Okono, as well as his involvement in the local church choir, driven by his priest father and "fantastic dancer" mother. After defying his father's wish for him to attend university, Chimezie’s career accelerated with his 1984 debut album, Respect Africa, which prompted him to resign from his post as the lead vocalist of the Customs and Excise dance band to form the Zigima Movement. His commitment to African causes was spotlighted when he was called to perform for Nelson Mandela in Enugu following Mandela's release in 1990. Chimezie performed Respect Africa and On Rubanos (interpreted as "whoever has his brother cry shouldn't abandon him"), leading to an embrace from Mandela and a powerful "mama's touch" hug from the former first lady.

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Central to Chimezie’s music, as highlighted in the discussion, is the fight against the "identity crisis" affecting Africans. He directly blames the "white man" for this crisis and the way Africa was "packaged". He believes many Africans suffer from a psychological complex, "aping those people over there" and believing that "the grass is greener over there," a notion he strongly refutes by stating there are no more opportunities abroad, often forcing people to "start from washing toilet". The term Zigima itself is defined by the message it conveys respect Africa, be proud of its food and culture, and recognize that Africa "protects you better than any place". Chimezie proudly lives this philosophy, stating, "if you see me eating with my hand make you not laugh me i am keeping to my culture," and that if he is "pouring libation," he is "talking to my ancestors".

The conversation drew a stark contrast between older and newer artists. Chimezie noted that older artists, whom he called "African soldiers", always focused on substance and message, ensuring their message was checked before going to the studio. In contrast, he claimed many contemporary artists "come empty-handed," waiting for a producer to "give you a beat and start repeating one word". This reliance creates a similarity in production because the producer leaves an "imprint" on the work.

Glitch Africa Studios successfully showcased Chimezie’s continued relevance through his recent viral moments, including a performance with Flavor in the UK and a spontaneous video call with Davido. Chimezie revealed that Davido, a 32-year-old artist, told him he "got inspiration" from Chimezie's music, which the veteran musician called a "win". Chimezie keeps his music current by maintaining discipline, interacting with younger generations, and rehearsing almost every week with his band. He concluded by stressing the importance of integrity, noting that he can look back at his music 40 years later and not be ashamed, advising younger artists to consider if their current "trending" work will stand the test of time. Glitch Africa Studios affirmed the importance of Chimezie’s process, emphasizing that his journey underlines the value of hard work and success.