Nigeria’s band to debut with Juju music in Qatar

BGYS Melodious, a newly formed Doha-based Nigerian music group, will perform during the ‘African Night’ show slated to be held at the Ramada’s Giwana Ballroom on June 30.

The show, which is the first of its kind in the country and the region, will feature live performance by the group displaying Nigeria’s popular high-life music with a touch of the country’s Southwestern Juju, a folk music.

The night will feature comedy shows by Doha-based Nigerian stand-up comedians as well as a colourful performance by cultural dancers from Ghana.

Talking about the group and the ‘African Night’ show, BGYS director and manager Yemi Emiola said, “I have lived in Qatar for many years now and have witnessed the city’s transformation.

I wanted to be a part of the country’s rapid development.

Hence, we decided to establish the group in February.” “The ‘African Night’ would feature live Juju music.

Juju is a popular Nigerian music, derived from the traditional Yoruba percussion.

The name comes from a Yoruba word Juju which means ‘throwing’ or ‘something being thrown’.” According to Emiola, the music group, which will launch its debut album in collaboration with a Qatari artiste in December, is seen as a platform to bring the Africans together.

“The group’s name, BGYS Melodious, is an acronym of the members’ names — Bosun, Gbenga, Yemi and Segun.

It was formed to showcase Nigeria’s musical talents and potentials among the African communities, residing in Qatar.

Our objective is actually not only to play music for people to relax, but also to convey a positive message on Nigeria and try and correct the misconceptions about our country,” he said.

Emiola said the ‘African Night’ show will create more awareness and draw attention to the Africans living in Qatar.

The group has already got a nod from the Merweb hotel to perform on a regular basis, he said.

“We have signed a contract and secured a place with Merweb hotel to perform every Wednesday night (10pm-1am) and we are currently holding similar talks with a number of other top-rated hotels like Rotana and La Cigale,” Emiola said.

Besides hotel shows, Emiola said, “The group wants to perform in social gatherings like weddings, inauguration events and other community engagements involving different nationalities.

The music group also hopes to perform with Arab musicians from Qatar, Egypt and other African countries.

And the BGYS Melodious certainly wants to jam with local musicians back home in Nigeria in the future.” Emiola also thanked the Nigerian Diaspora Organisation-Qatar Chapter (NIDO-Qatar), and its president Olu J Millar for its active support and constant advice and suggestions.

Interested music-lovers can get more information about the ‘African Night’ show, which begins at 7pm, by dialing ‘55106938’ or ‘77740115’, or email at oluemiola@ yahoo.com, or via the Facebook.