By Adama Uche
Emmanuel Daraloye has been described as one of the driving forces behind African music. The Ipele born, Akure and Ondo town nurtured Music Critic recently had long conversations with a cross section of journalists in Lagos State. In this interview, he talks about writing more than one thousand reviews, his future plans and the challenges he encountered in the course of achieving this milestone.
The interview has been edited for clarity sake.
How did your journey into album reviewing begin before it reached this level?
It started in 2020. Long before this year, I was already in the entertainment industry for close to a decade. I presented a program on radio stations. managed artistes, co-organized shows and more. In a nutshell, I have always been in the entertainment industry, I just took it more seriously in 2020 by focusing solely on music and here we are.
When did you first notice that the number of albums you had reviewed was becoming significant?
I didn’t notice it until last year, I was just writing and writing, it was fun while I was at it. There was a period where I wrote 365 reviews in a year, that’s a review per day.
What helped you stay consistent as the reviews kept adding up over time?
It was my pure love for music and a way of documenting the Afrobeats journey. I just got tired of the showbiz world, I felt the music industry was beyond showbiz, so, I had to swing into action rather than complain about it online.
How did your writing style change from your early reviews to the later ones?
It has changed drastically my brother, with constant reading and writing, it becomes a natural law, it changes.
What were the main challenges you faced while writing so many album reviews?
It was difficult making money from it, I didn’t make a dime from music journalism until a year into it. I was rounding off my first degree at Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo when I started, so, imagine combining studies and review, it was hectic, I just had to do it.
How did reviewing different genres affect the way you understand music?
It changes the way I understand music. I have a broad palette of sound right now. I doubt if there is any music genre I haven’t reviewed most especially if it is within the Nigeria space.
In what ways did writing one thousand album reviews strengthen your voice as a critic?
It just made me an institution when it comes to music. I have spoken or consulted for the most important radio stations, television stations and newspapers house within the African space.
Were there moments when the work felt tiring, and how did you handle them?
Whenever it is tiring, I take a break, I go on vacation or find solace in other things, taking a break is highly advised.
How did this long process change your relationship with music and music culture?
It just made me understand music more, and it changes the way I relate with music .
Looking back, what does writing one thousand album reviews mean to you as a music critic and why did you write this many reviews?
It means so much, it means I have been dedicated to a course, which is documenting Afrobeats journey.
Who were the music critics you read before you started fully in 2020?
Osagie Alonge, Motolani Alake, Dami Ajayi , Joey Akan, Oris Aigbokhaevbolo. I also read works from media platforms like Native Magazine, Culture Custodian, Pulse NG and a lot more.
Before you started making money from music criticism, how were you surviving?
My benefactor, Mr. Olaolu Adedayo better known as Ogbeni LA bankrolled me for the first two years into music journalism, he provided moral and financial support for me. Dr. Dami Ajayi was also helpful, he mentored me at some points in 2021. All along, I have been lucky to find people, mentors who provided the support I needed, most especially in the formative years. Also, Mr. Oris Aigbokhaevbolo gave me a huge amount of money in 2022 when I wanted to embark on some self development journey.
After writing more than one thousand album reviews, what next?
I am working on a book, it will contain some of my finest reviews. There might be one hundred or two hundred reviews. The book is ready, all I just need to do is to publish it.
For someone who has written more than one thousand reviews, how have you impacted society with your knowledge?
I have spoken at two Universities in Nigeria , Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko and University of Ibadan on music related topics. Also, I have appeared as a guest on major radio stations and television stations. I have consulted for Punch Newspaper, Dubawa and more on music related stories. I conducted a mentorship program for University of Ibadan students in 2025.
