Nigerian singer Inetimi Alfred Odom, popularly known as Timaya, has opened up about the competitive and sometimes strained relationships among artists in the Nigerian music industry. Speaking candidly in a recent interview with Channels TV, Timaya shared his perspective on the absence of goodwill and camaraderie among his colleagues, asserting that it has always been that way and may even be part of the nature of the industry.
Timaya emphasized that in the world of Nigerian music, colleagues should not be mistaken for friends. “Your colleagues are not your friends na,” he stated. He believes that family, particularly parents, are often the only ones who genuinely want to see a person succeed. According to Timaya, competition in the music industry is fierce, and while artists may work together, it’s not necessarily driven by friendship or a desire to help each other succeed.
Highlighting some of the challenges within the industry, Timaya remarked on the frequent issues surrounding collaborations. He pointed out that although collaborations between artists can serve as effective promotion tools, they don’t always go smoothly. In many cases, collaborating artists don’t follow through on their commitments. “There are some artists you will collaborate with right now, and they’ll end up not showing up for the video shoot,” Timaya explained, adding that artists often demand a fee even for collaborative efforts. This transactional approach, he believes, stifles creativity and hinders the growth of the industry.
Drawing a comparison to major international fashion brands, Timaya noted that even brands as competitive as Adidas and Gucci can collaborate, showing that partnerships can exist without personal conflict. However, in his experience, the music industry operates differently. He views collaborations as promotional tools but feels that some artists approach these collaborations with a lack of professionalism, treating them solely as business deals rather than opportunities to mutually elevate their artistry.
Timaya reflected on how times have changed, and with that, so has the nature of industry relationships. “Old ways cannot open new doors,” he stated, acknowledging the evolving dynamics in the music business. He suggested that artists today may feel more competitive or even vindictive toward colleagues due to past disagreements or perceived slights, creating tension and mistrust that inhibit genuine connections. In his view, the lack of support among colleagues is almost a norm in the music world, likening it to an office environment where competition is also a given.
Ultimately, Timaya’s reflections paint a picture of the Nigerian music industry as a highly competitive field where personal connections are rare, and mutual support is scarce. While the singer acknowledges that this is the “normal thing,” he also suggests that the industry’s collaborative potential remains untapped due to a lack of genuine goodwill among artists.
