Our Artistes Are Suffering From Colonial Mentality— DJ Jimmy Jatt

Popular Nigerian disc jockey, Oluwaforijimi Adewale Amu, better known as DJ Jimmy Jatt, has said that Nigerian artists that avoid local award shows are suffering from “colonial mentality”.

The 55-year-old iconic entertainer said this on Friday, November 26, at an event in Lagos State, while reacting to the absence of many Nigerian artistes at the 2021 All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA). 

 According the disc jockey, many Nigerian artistes jump at the opportunity to receive western awards, no matter how small but shun local award shows no matter how big. 

 “I think it is the colonial mentality that is still worrying a lot of our people. When it is western world inviting you, even if it is an award in a smallest room, they are always quick to go and would probably arrive four days before the award. But when it is being held here, even the biggest one here. From records, all the awards or the recognition platforms here had the issues,” Jimmy Jatt said. “Once it is us, for us, it is not as big for them. All that needs to change. Once it is other people for us, we even beg to be there.” 

 He urged Nigerian entertainers, particularly artistes, to show support for local awards, adding that they should make the world believe that our awards are the biggest.