When he started as an upcoming artiste many where not sure the producer-singer would go far with his kind of music. He watched as many friends got record deals, travelled to Lagos and over the seas, as they made it ‘big’, buying flashy cars and building houses.
All that has changed, thanks to back-to-back hits favoured by fans, thanks to album sales and performance engagements. Now, Duncan, the one-time up-comer is now a force to be reckoned with in the music industry.
When E-TRAIN sampled opinions of people across the country, majority were in favour of Duncan Mighty, who currently sits atop the ‘A’ class artistes with a bestselling album and a truck load of hits. The only other act who comes close is Wizkid, who’s also in high demand right now.
Most importantly, in Port Harcourt, where he is domiciled, Wene Mighty is apparently a ‘big deal’. Many admit he has everyone eating from his palms, and is currently rated “far higher than Timaya,” according to findings.
“There is no place you go to today that you won’t feel the impact Duncan has made. As I speak with you, he is more than Timaya here in Port Harcourt”, a producer told E-train.
When Timaya burst into lime light with his hit ‘Dem Mama’, it made waves and received accolades across the country. He was the ‘King of the South South‘ for years, and launched out into prominence with the Odi-centric materials that drew national attention to the unfortunate Odi massacre. But over the years, his image has been battered by multiple reports of controversies which ended up portraying him as an “extravagant celebrity”. Wars with the media left him scarred, and his last album performed below expectations.
According to a random sampling in Abuja, 99 per cent said there is no competition, because Duncan’s songs always contained vital messages, unlike Timaya who always showered accoladdes on himself.
“any time I listened to ‘Hand of Jesus’, I always felt like I was in heaven. This are the kind of songs we want, not the praise- singing type. If people can think like
Duncan before they sing, the youth, at least, will learn from it,” said J-Star, abudding artiste.
A 60 year-old man I met in a club was dancing to the tune, ‘Port Harcourt’s First Son’ and when I asked him why he was dissipating so much energy, he smiled and said, ‘This is Duncan Mighty, Port Harcourt first son’, as if I had never heard of him before.
In clubs, gardens, bars, wedding receptions and other joints I had attended, when ever Duncan Mighty or Waconzy’s were slotted in, people were swept off their seats and they swayed to the tune.
A bar owner, Blessing Ocheje said, “I loved Timaya’s songs then, but now, it is either Duncan Mighty or Waconzy. You can see how everyone is dancing to the song. Though we are not in Port Harcourt,it is in Nigeria”.
It’s not astonishing that the throne has been lost to Duncan, who, many think is a more disciplined musician, gifted producer and far more popular with fans and the local media.
Someone also said people like Duncan and Waconzy are the future of Nigerian music. Though there is no doubt that Timaya has been lucky and blessed in his own way, he will have to work harder to reclaim the perceived lost mantle.
A report from Port Harcourt stated that residents considered Timaya “no longer a PH act”, since he’s moved to Lagos, but that “he’s still very much loved”.
The result is plain, as many rated shows in the FCT and beyond feature artistes like Duncan mighty. Recently, Julius Agwu’s ‘Crack Ya Ribs’ held at the Thisday Dome, featured Waconzy as a guest performer. Fame can be maintained if the personality is disciplined.
Port Harcourt, flooded with gifted, young talents, most of whom are well-known around the Niger Delta region, command massive followership, before they eventually break into the limelight. Popular examples are M-trill, Frank D’Nero, Tha Ibz, Mr. 2Kay and others.
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