Staxxx Barrington ⚡️

Check out A Weird Mix of Trumpets and Hi Hats...The Album and follow me on Instagram (@Elozonam)

[Staxxx Barrington ⚡️ @elozonam_]

And we are live! A Weird Mix of Trumpets and Hi Hats...A whole album.

Get it here 👉🏽 https://t.co/StvC7d2FJm

[Staxxx Barrington ⚡️ @elozonam_]

How to get out of the friendzone … don’t say I never did anything for you. 🍹

[Staxxx Barrington ⚡️ @elozonam_]

Sigh. Uriel. No more legendary diary sessions.

[Staxxx Barrington ⚡️ @elozonam_]

Cos I’m a whole constellation! ⭐️

@NetflixNaija

[Staxxx Barrington ⚡️ @elozonam_]

My thoughts exactly. At the same time the Grammy’s although currently the highest honor for musicians in the world is still owned by one nation…and as such to me………meh….we shouldn’t be that perturbed.

[Joey Akan @JoeyAkan]

With the Grammys creation of Best African Performance, we as a culture have lost our rights to the biggest spaces, and invariably truncated our ability to compete at the highest levels.

Afrobeats as a sound culture has been on an upward trajectory since 2016 when the major corporations began to put boots on the ground and offer contracts that bridge our culture with the wider music market.

Via these contracts and the servicing of our beautiful music expressions in global spaces, we've done the unthinkable: crack the global pop framework. For the first time in a generation, we've comfortably began to compete and recently dominate pop music spaces.

Burna Boy and Drake aren't distant colleagues servicing different markets. Their music sit and play side-by-side as equals across the dance and radio circuit around the world. And now, with "Calm down" penetrating the global south, our cultural exportation is reaching new levels of maturation and unlocking markets we can only previously dream of.

When we clamour for representation at the Grammys, we aren't saying, "give us a category to house us." We are saying, we are worthy of being seen as equals. Our high traffic qualifies us. Our high impact, even within major music markets, now certify us as the new kings of the block, and we need access to these spaces.

Burna Boy's "Last Last" was robbed from the nomination stage last year. That was a "Song Of the Year" major candidate being shunted to Best Global Music Performance, and eventually lost out to people without an ounce of his dominance and influence. That is robbery.

At the moment, "Calm Down" is number 3 on Billboard Hot 100. And it might maintain that for a while. When the next Grammys come, it'll be denied entry into the major categories and moved down the pecking order into these fringe considerations. That hurts our legitimacy. And undervalues our contribution to the market.

Best African Music Performance, makes that devaluation easier. We now have a category abi? Let Africans fight themselves there, and leave the major spaces, even if we are qualified for bigger honours. Further cheapening our flight.

Also, the language of that category leaves a lot to be desired. Grammy says, "A track and singles Category that recognizes recordings that utilize unique local expressions from across the African continent."

First, all our unique expressions of creativity have now lost the chance to be recognised as genres in their own right. Even our classic African genres like Afrobeat, Highlife and Bongo Flava. They're all grouped together now as "Best African Music Performance," further devaluing their uniqueness.

And finally, this gives us no protection from non-Africans experimenting with more resources than the kid in a dingy studio in Surulere with just music acumen and "Baba God help my life."

Just as we've seen happen to Reggae where white people are winning Grammys for Best Reggae Album.

Anyone in the world (white, black, Asian, Hispanic) who infuses pidgin, and heavy drums into their music, will have a shot at winning this category for their "unique African expressions" drawn from across the African continent.

So while this new Grammy creation markets itself as an antidote for representation, it devalues our contribution to pop music, ignores the uniqueness of our diverse music cultures, while also opening us up to competition from non-African pretenders looking to cash in on our hype.

While it appears as progress, this sets Africans and our global ambitions, back a notch. Congratulations to everyone. We're further removed from the centre.

[Bolanle Olukanni @bolanleolukanni]

💔💔💔💔 Bolanle Raheem was my real estate agent. She supported me in my goal and was always cheering me on. She was so hardworking , positive and such a cheerful spirit. She has a husband and child. I can’t even say more. The Nigerian police are killers 💔💔💔💔💔

[Mr Macaroni @mrmacaroni]

A Nigerian Police Officer from Ajiwe division shot and killed Bolanle Raheem on Xmas day. It is from this same division an Officer killed Gafaru Buraimoh about 2 weeks ago.
This barbarism by the Nigerian Police must come to an end.
These Murderers must pay for their crimes!!!

[Punch Newspapers @MobilePunch]

Lagos Police Confirm Shooting Of Lawyer By Officer

The Police Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Command, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, has confirmed that an officer was responsible for the shooting of a lawyer, Bolanle Raheem, in the Ajah area of Lagos on Christmas Day.

[Tunde Ososanya @TundeOsosanya]

It's sad that Barrister Bolanle Raheem met her untimely death at the hands of those employed to protect her life while returning from #ChristmasDay2022 worship. This madness must stop! The Nigeria Police Force needs to weed out these trigger-happy officers.

[Staxxx Barrington ⚡️ @elozonam_]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂this tweet!

[woman of modest income @Tellemmmmm]

Can't believe someone said I use my son for clout cos I post about him and his photos. Loooooool I love this stupid app. You carry some one for 40 weeks and another person won't even let you use them for clout. Kmt

[Staxxx Barrington ⚡️ @elozonam_]

Fam! I'm weak. Like the way things happen in this country.... like what is even real?

[𝐀𝐔𝐍𝐓𝐘 𝐀𝐃𝐀 @Auntyadaa]

Kindly RT this video!!!!
#EndSARS #EndPoliceBrutality

[Kathleen Ndongmo @KathleenNdongmo]

Of all the languages to learn, this one is so important.

Happy international sign language day.

[Kanae Zipora❣️ @KanaeZB]

I was trying to create a promo video for my raffle on (IG) @ziporascents + started to get discouraged and irritated after many takes. He sees how my mood shifted, came over and said press record 😭

[Z O⚡️O @Elozonam1]

When 9 - 5ers wana hit the club 😭😭😭
Ft @_lsmk_
Peep @thesmilinghat forming video vixen

I've been here before. 😂😂😂

Weekend vibes Yo!

Did we kill it or nah?!

[Remi Ibinola RIO @reminola]

Guys let's pray for Australia.
Currently there are out of control fires in 4 states of Australia. Many human and animal fatalities and many more at risk. 7pm today. Just 3 mins please. The power of collective prayer is undeniable. Let's do it for humanity.

[Staxxx Barrington ⚡️ @elozonam_]

Calm down...it's almost here! ☺️☺️☺️

@THEDRIKSHOP

Shot by @inioluwaadesola
VFX by @thesmilinghat
Sound design by @Elozonam1
Additional VFX by @inioluwaadesola

[Kpoko 100.5FM Warri @Kpoko1005FM]

#MCMwithJenniferOmoko dey celebrate Multi talented Graduate of Economics,wen be actor n producer,voice over artist and social media influencer,also #BBNaija contestant Pepper Dem gang,he na twin and na from Delta state e name na @Elozonam_ cc @bigboldjenny