Of African vocalism and solo song composition: Rethinking solo song composition in contemporary Nigeria for professional performers

Abstract

This paper draws from African vocalism3, a new creative concept and paradigm, situating the new approach to solo song composition in the Nigerian context, using samples developed in Nsukka. With the trajectory of solo song composition since after colonial rule in Nigeria  somewhat stunted, truncated and limited to the samples and imitations of Western models, a new paradigm for processing solo song compositions beyond the principles and practice of Western classical art music in tonal, harmonic, performance dynamics and in other ramifications of the art is critical and argued for in this article. Using descriptive and analytical methods, the paper provides evidence of the fidelity of the approach in the composition of solo songs for solo voice performances in contemporary Nigeria.