The song, "Am calling" by Sky B was a hit in 2007. In fact, it trended the airwaves for more than two years. I didn't have a phone that streams music then. My elder brother in the polytechnic was the one that made me aware of the song. He made the song his phone's ringing tone. Everywhere you go, you get to hear the music being played.
Many young guys learned the lyrics in order to use it to woo girls. In 2009 when I left home for university, I still joined other party lovers to dance to the song. I was always eager to have a girl sing the song around me. I would quickly personalize the song and ask the lady if she was referring to me. Nigerians danced to the song.
Shortly after then, other songs came to limelight and the popularity of "Am calling" faded away gradually.
Many years later, I had totally forgotten about the song and the singer when I bumped into an interview that a popular Nigerian content creator, Lucky Udu conducted with Sky B. I couldn't believe my eyes. Sky B looked stressed and worn out in the interview. He explained how life dealt a great blow on him.
The once famous Sky B was living in penury. According to the interview, he is staying in a single room apartment with four kids. He wasn't having a phone nor present online on any social media platform. Lucky bought him a phone immediately and he solicited support from Nigerians for the singer.
People began to ask questions. What happened to this guy? How did he handle the fame? All the money that came his way when he was trending.
I understand the rationality behind such questions. A few people came up with drugs and extravagant lifestyles as being responsible for his downfall. Those claims can't be independently verified as at the point of writing this post. I am interested in knowing the cause of his downfall so that other celebrities that are in the limelight today can learn some lessons.
Each person has his own time. Try as much as possible to make judicious use of your time so that you can keep going with life even when the world turns attention away from you. Everyone, whether a singer or not, needs to learn how to prepare for the rainy day.
Well, what I have written above is not the reason for me coming up with this post. I am writing this article to identify and appreciate the extent to which music and love goes hand in hand.
Ever since the predicaments of sky B was publicized, all his fans and other music lovers have been rallying round to see that he bounced back to his feet. Within three days, the touch of love and care from the people became evident in his appearance. People kept appreciating him for how he made their childhood fun with his evergreen songs.
I am calling
I went back and searched for the song and downloaded it. It took me back to the memory lane to my undergraduate days in the university. For an artist whose singing trended about seventeen years ago, it can only be a case of the unique love of fans and music lovers for such an artist to be massively supported to be back on stage.
There is love in music. There is loyalty in music. What is happening to sky B presently proves to me that if you ever put smiles on the faces of the people with your art, the appreciation of your work may outlive you.
I wish sky B the best of luck. Kudos to everyone that has rendered help to him and also to others that are going to do the same.