African music doesn't need foreign validation, says American music legend Jeffrey Daniel

American music legend, Jeffrey Daniel, a founding member of the renowned R&B vocal group ‘Shalamar,’ has lauded the ingenuity and array of talents in the Nigerian music industry. He believes African music does not need external validation for significance, as it already has strong appeal and acceptance on the global stage.

Daniel, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), commended Nigerian music artists like Burna Boy, Davido, Wizkid, Tiwa Savage, and Tems, for showcasing African music on the world stage. He urged them to maintain their originality and continue telling their stories through their music.

According to Daniel, “African music artists don’t need to seek validation from America to know how great they are because they are already great and they are taking over the world.”

He pointed out that in the past, Nigerian artists craved American validation, but the industry has grown tremendously, with Afrobeats stars now selling out stadiums and arenas worldwide.

Daniel suggested that instead of seeking validation through awards like the Grammys, Africa should create its own platform and celebrate its own successes. With a population of over 1.4 billion, Africa boasts a larger market than America’s 350 million, he argued.

He particularly commended the remarkable progress of the Nigerian film industry, Nollywood, which has gained global recognition. He advised Nigerian creatives to seek more support from within the continent to flourish.

Daniel also spoke about the late Michael Jackson, his cousin and former collaborator, acclaiming him as the Greatest Of All Time (GOAT) of Pop Music. Jackson’s timeless music, dance moves, fashion sense, and philanthropic efforts solidified his global influence, according to Daniel.

Daniel, who is now married to a Nigerian and now resides in Nigeria, acknowledged the “Japa Syndrome” trend, where youths migrate abroad for greener pastures. He encouraged Nigerian youths to look inward, develop their talents within the continent’s rich resource pool, and leverage their resilience to make Africa a place of success.