The teaser for a new reality show centered around D’banj, a popular Nigerian pop singer (mixture of derivative garage, R&B and dance music) who has his admirers and detractors. His music is often mistaken for hip hop and one critic classed D’Banj’s dismissively as part of “… the derivative low-production-values drivel that is Nigerian hip-hop.”
Nevertheless, he thrives.
Next month sees the debut of his Flavor Flav-type reality TV show, “Koko Mansion,” on Nigerian satellite television channel, HiTV.
Twelve young women will live in a house in Lagos City for eight weeks, where “… they will put to play the virtues of womanhood to please D’Banj.” The producers play to gender stereotypes: The show aims to find “a marriageable African woman,” as well as “a fully endowed woman with intellectual property.”"
What does that involve? “… The young ladies will be groomed in various home affairs and tested afterwards to determine the one that would imbibe koko virtues and worthy of being a wife. Some of the virtue to be looked out for in the girls, include cooking ability, ability to furnish and maintain the mansion, industry, being respectful, and courteous.”
Of course this is all about “celebrating womanhood.”
That’s a rather negative take on the music, I have to say. I think its impressively produced and rather novel.
I, unlike, most of Nigerian hip hop’s critics, admire its ingenuity–I am fascinated by D’Banj as showman–but was here referring to the politics of his new reality TV program. In fact, tonight I will put up a link to a mixtape of new Naija hip hop. It may be old news to you.