Passion vs. Fame: What Truly Drives Upcoming Artists?

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Honestly, I don’t know much about upcoming artists in other countries, but one thing i know is that what drives most upcoming artists in Nigeria today is fame.

Let’s be real, Nowadays, a lot of young people see music as an escape route. In a country where the economy is hard, jobs are scarce, and the hustle is real, music has now become more of a survival tool, a chance to blow, to be seen, to be heard, and most importantly — to be rich and respected.

You hear people say things like, “If I just blow once, my life go better.” And honestly, you can’t blame them. The system is frustrating, and everyone is just trying to find their way out. So, for many upcoming artists, it’s not necessarily about the love for the music. It’s more about the desire to be in the spotlight. That spotlight is what they believe will bring them money, fans, endorsements, and a better life.

Now, don’t get me wrong — chasing fame isn’t a bad thing, especially in a place like Nigeria. If we’re being honest, sometimes it’s the quickest way to get noticed and change your life. But the problem starts when fame becomes the only thing you're chasing, without any real passion for the art itself.

That’s why we often see artists blow up with one or two hits, and after a year or two, they’re completely forgotten. No consistency, no originality, just a moment of shine, and then they go hidden. They came for the fame, and once it faded, they had nothing else to offer. They normally disappear just as quickly as they appear.

Passion, on the other hand, is a different game. Passion is what keeps you going even when nobody is listening. It’s what pushes them to keep writing, keep recording, keep performing, even when you’ve got zero streams or support. Passion doesn’t care about how many likes or views you have. It’s about the love for what you do and tha is what builds longevity.

There are several artists like Wizkid and Olamide who been relevant in the music industry for over a decade. They didn’t just wake up and become stars. They built their careers on passion. They stayed consistent. They evolved but stayed true to themselves. And because they were passionate about their music from the start, they didn’t disappear when trends changed. In fact, they set the trends.

You can always tell when an artist is fame-hungry. One day they’re doing Afrobeat. Next week it’s Amapiano, then they’re doing Fuji mixed with Trap — just because that’s what’s hot at the moment. There’s no identity, no purpose. Just chasing whatever will go viral, and most of the time, they do release songs with no meaningful lyrics.

At the end of the day, fame can open doors, but then it’s passion that keeps those doors open. Fame can get you on stage, but passion will make people remember your performance. Passion builds legacy, while fame — if not handled well — can be temporary.

So, in my opinion, fame might be what drives most upcoming artists in Nigeria right now, but passion is what will truly sustain them. And if you look closely, it’s always the passionate ones that stand the test of time.

Thanks for reading.

Posted Using INLEO