On September 18, 2012, I visited a popular
music site, hoping to find some new
Nigerian music videos, and find one, I
did.
It was the Nigerian version of ‘Hold Me
Back’ by American rapper Rick Ross, shot
here in Nigeria during Ross’s recent brief
visit for a concert.
The above might not seem like a big deal,
especially for those who haven’t seen the
video, but for those who have, you will
know why this particular video made
headlines on newspapers, magazines and
blogs across the nation. For those who
know nothing about the song and the
video, let me attempt to describe it as
clearly as possible.
The Song ‘Hold Me Back’ is more like a
protest rap song which talks about the
neglect of the masses. In the song, Rick
Ross talks about hustling, doing whatever
you can to get by, which, in the US, often
means selling drugs and bootlegging.
The song goes on to protest against
government policies that don’t favour the
poor, generally talking about people
struggling to survive, etc. All of the
above sounds interesting, right? I agree,
but let’s get to my point.
The American version of ‘Hold Me Back’
was shot in what appeared to be a ghetto,
featuring scenes with ladies running
wild, guys looking ferocious and
gangsters all over the place, mostly black
people. Even if you haven’t visited the
US, you’ve probably seen a movie or a
music video that depicted their ‘Ghetto’ or
their slums (Our own Ajegunles and
Iyanaworos etc.) Well, most of the houses
in the American ghetto can still fit into
our regular neighborhoods and not be
particularly noticed. (Watch video below)
YouTube Preview Image
Now let’s fast forward to the Nigerian
version. It was shot in one of the popular
Lagos slums, Iyana Oworo, an area that
clearly depicts poverty in its raw state,
where most houses are built with wood and
many of occupants depend on petty
trading and artisanship. The video
showed hungry children crying, some
children hawkers chasing Rick Ross’
SUV, street urchins (area boys) gathered
around, women cooking with firewood,
etc. The video began with an old clip of
Gen. Gowon declaring victory after the
civil war, that killed millions of
Nigerians. This presented the kind of
picture CNN and BBC will like to air
when refer to poverty and suffering in
Africa. (See Video below)
YouTube Preview Image
So why are people offended? Why
should they be? A lot has been said about
this issue, even many celebrities have come
forward to give Rick Ross aka Rozay a
‘thumbs up’ for exposing the plight of
the Nigerian masses! They seem convinced
that the rapper is concerned about the
plight of the Nigerian masses. If you
believe that, then you are one of those who
believe our leaders are not in government to
enrich themselves; it is the most ridiculous
thought ever!
Let us ask ourselves some very important
questions; Why did he choose that
particular song and venue, after driving
through Victoria Island and lodging in a
5 star hotel? What did the civil war have
to do with anything? He came to perform
at a Summer Jam concert on an expensive
bill, so what did that have to do with the
‘Hold Me Back’ song? As a wealthy
rapper, what has he done to help the
plight of the poor, at home or abroad?
What did Rick Ross give to or do for the
community where the video was shot? You
may or may not know the answers to these
questions, but let me tell you this; in the
words invented by the Americans
themselves; Rozay doesn’t give a f*ck
about the Nigerian masses!
Ever wondered why the international
media is always interested in promoting
materials that depict poverty and
suffering when referring to Africa, and
why only paid adverts showcase the
beautiful parts? It’s just the way they
have chosen to see and picture us; inferior
and backward. So why on earth should we
give kudos to someone we paid and hosted
in the most comfortable means possible,
who then decided not share his beautiful
experience with the world but promote a
cause he knows nothing about, or an
experience he never really had? If you
follow Rick Ross and have seen most of
his videos, he prides himself with tales
of living large with exotic cars, houses,
wines and beautiful ladies. Why did he
then choose to shoot the direct opposite in
Nigeria? Black or not, he is as bad as the
rest of those who only want to show the
world a backward, poverty stricken
Africa.
If Jay Z had shot the ‘Hold Me Back’
video I’d have given him kudos, because I
know he wouldn’t have left the
community in the same sate he found it, as
he has been part of many charity projects.
In 2006 Jay Z teamed up with the United
Nation (UN) and MTV for the ‘Water
For Life’ project which saw him visiting
Nigeria to help with the provision of
potable water. This is a rapper who built
an empire from scratch and is in some way
positively affecting the lives of others,
not an obese rapper who raps about
struggling to live the ‘Good Life’ and yet
can’t truly inspire others to do the same.
As the saying goes; ‘One does not leave the
house of a good host, only to spread tales
of his dirty rest room.’ That said, Rick
Ross is a bad guest, and deserves no praise
whatsoever. Nigeria and Nigerians were a
good host to Rick Ross, which he
testified to. What then did he take back
home from his visit; a video that shows
Nigerians suffering, in a state of abject
poverty! Safe to say the world will see it
as Rozay’s experience in Nigeria, and then
what? Others will look forward to
visiting as well? Please! Let’s not even get
it twisted, the major reason most of these
international artistes come to Nigeria is
because of the fat cheques they get, save
for people like Wyclef Jean, who has
shown true love to Nigeria.
Nigerian artistes and Nigerians in general
should wake up; nobody can tell your
story better, let alone a stranger you paid
and fed.That we have issues as a nation is
not news, but do we carry this on our faces
or sing it to the world for solutions? Hell
no! How we deal with our issues as a
nation should be entirely our business, not
for a foreigner with no knowledge of
our history as a nation.
Rick Ross, or Rozay, or whatever it is
they call him, was and is a bad guest and
certainly not a friend of ours. He should
get very hard knocks on his round head
instead of undeserved accolades.

Source: http://thenetng.com/opinion/opinion-why-rick-ross-is-a-bad-guest/

Nice write up...i concur