Eedris Abdul Kareem advices the new generation musician to use their music to talk to power #overcomeyourvillains

This blogpost by Beat Tha Grind Naija promotes music while urging new Nigerian musicians to address socio-political issues, aligning with a growing trend of protest music in Nigeria, as seen with Eedris Abdulkareem’s recent clash over his banned song "Tell Your Papa".

Nigerian music’s global influence is rising, with artists like Burna Boy and WizKid filling international venues, reflecting a new generation blending traditional sounds with modern pop to challenge norms and inspire change.

X- @beatthagrind

Beat Tha Grind Naija’s Call for Conscious Music in Nigeria’s New Generation

On April 16, 2025, at 9:05 AM UTC, Beat Tha Grind Naija (@BeatThaGrind

) dropped a post on X that caught my attention—not just for its vibrant promotional graphic but for the powerful message it carries: “The new generation musician should use their music to talk to power #overcomeyourvillains.” Accompanied by a bold image proclaiming “Promote Your Music,” this post feels like both a rallying cry and a marketing pitch, blending activism with opportunity in a way that’s deeply resonant in today’s Nigerian music scene.

The Post: A Visual and Verbal Statement

The graphic itself is eye-catching, with the Beat Tha Grind Naija logo prominently displayed alongside the tagline “The Nigerian Beat.” The phrase “Promote Your Music” is splashed across the image in a striking red box, signaling a platform eager to elevate new talent. But it’s the caption that gives this post its weight. By urging young Nigerian artists to “talk to power,” Beat Tha Grind Naija taps into a long-standing tradition of protest music in Nigeria—a tradition that’s been revitalized in recent years as artists grapple with political unrest, economic hardship, and social injustice.

The hashtag #overcomeyourvillains adds another layer of intrigue. According to insights from IQ Hashtags (2024), hashtags like #villain are trending across platforms like Instagram and TikTok, often used to symbolize overcoming personal or societal challenges. In this context, it feels like Beat Tha Grind Naija is encouraging artists to confront systemic “villains” through their music—whether that’s corruption, inequality, or oppression—while also building their reach through savvy social media strategies.

A Legacy of Protest Music in Nigeria

This message couldn’t be more timely. As Pan-African Music (PAM) highlighted in a 2023 article, Nigerian protest music has long been a vehicle for airing grievances and challenging societal ills. From the reggae-inspired Galala sounds of African China in the early 2000s to Wande Coal’s conscious lyrics on Mushin 2 Mo’Hits, Nigerian artists have consistently used their platforms to reflect the struggles of their people. The 2020 Lekki Toll Gate massacre, where soldiers opened fire on peaceful protesters, inspired a wave of musical responses, with artists rushing to the studio to channel their pain and frustration into art.

More recently, Eedris Abdulkareem’s 2025 track Tell Your Papa—which criticizes President Bola Tinubu for empty promises amid widespread hardship—made headlines when it was banned by the Nigerian authorities (BBC News, 2025). The song’s lyrics, a mix of English, Yoruba, and Pidgin, called out the government’s failures, only to be deemed “inappropriate” by the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission.

 Abdulkareem’s experience underscores the risks Nigerian artists face when they speak truth to power, but also the urgency of doing so in a country where “people are dying” from insecurity and hunger.

The Bigger Picture: Nigerian Music’s Global Influence

Beat Tha Grind Naija’s post also arrives at a moment when Nigerian music is commanding global attention. Artists like Burna Boy and Wizkid, who both clinched Grammy wins in 2021 (BBC News, 2021), have shown the world the power of Afrobeats as a cultural force.

 Burna Boy’s Twice As Tall, described by the Grammys as “a masterclass in the vibe and hustle that have made [him] an international musical force,” seamlessly blends genres like pop, reggae, and dancehall while addressing social causes—a blueprint for the kind of music Beat Tha Grind Naija seems to champion.

What’s exciting about this post is how it bridges the local and the global. By encouraging new artists to tackle systemic issues, Beat Tha Grind Naija is fostering a generation of musicians who can follow in the footsteps of icons like Fela Kuti (whose influence looms large over Burna Boy) while also appealing to international audiences hungry for authentic, socially conscious music.

Why This Post Matters

For me, what makes this post stand out is its dual purpose: it’s both a call to action and a promotional tool. Beat Tha Grind Naija isn’t just asking artists to make meaningful music—they’re offering a platform to amplify those voices. In a country where speaking out can lead to censorship or worse, as seen with Eedris Abdulkareem, this kind of support is invaluable. 

It’s a reminder that music isn’t just entertainment—it’s a weapon for change, a mirror for society, and a beacon of hope.

The #overcomeyourvillains hashtag also resonates on a personal level. It’s not just about systemic villains but the internal ones too—the doubts and fears that hold artists back from creating bold, unapologetic work. Beat Tha Grind Naija’s message feels like a challenge to overcome both, making it a fitting mantra for Nigeria’s next wave of musical talent.

Final Thoughts

Beat Tha Grind Naija’s X post is more than just a promotional ad—it’s a manifesto for what Nigerian music can and should be in 2025. By urging young artists to use their music as a tool to confront power, they’re honoring a rich legacy of protest music while pushing the culture forward. Whether you’re an up-and-coming artist looking for a platform or a listener eager for music with a message, this post is a reminder of the transformative power of sound. I’ll be keeping an eye on Beat Tha Grind Naija to see which new voices they elevate next—and I can’t wait to hear the stories they’ll tell.