DMB Tinkers Systematic Sodomization of Nigeria's Entertainment Industry in "UnderSeige: The Musical"
By Olumide Labulo
Not your regular romance trope. Not your usual faith-based movie either...too bad for the spirikoko. It's just reality, serious issues.
When I said attention for premium content was shifting to YouTube, sebi you doubted. Anyway, "UnderSeige", premiered on June 22 on all Mount Zion platforms: Damilola Mike-Bamiloye's Channel, Zion Play House and the old one (go look for am) has conveniently added to the 30% plus surge in digital movie premieres on YouTube. It stars renowned gospel singers like Mike Abdul (Gasper), Gaise Baba (Samuel/Samullan), Greatman Takit (Kolade), Jay Mikey (Timi), etc.
Enter Damilola Mike-Bamiloye (DMB), the guy manning the youth wing of Mount Zion play house. While this piece isn't about him, we can't shrug off the fact that he is doing well and has upped his ante with this newest release, "UnderSeige: The Musical". With focus on people, pressure and faith, we are drawn to the dilemma of young and talented church boys Timi and Samuel (played by Gaise Baba) who feel they are wasting away singing only in the choir and just want to "blow" at all cost. It becomes compounded when their pastor's son, Kolade, who left the church has become one of the biggest musicians in the land, touring different countries and living the soft life.They also want to live the soft life. If you remember, D'banj, Flavour, Timi Dakolo, Bisola, MI Abaga, Johnny Drille, Waje and many others all sang in the choir (maybe as kids or adults or both) before going secular. Some of their parents are abi were now depending, LOL, even pastors like Kolade's. That's on the one side.
Then enter the metaphorical systematic sodomization of the industry. The entertainment industry is big. It's a network and Nigeria's is no exception. On here, there are godfathers like Elder (Kayode Babalola) whose names are never or rarely heard. They are the money bags that can do and undo; big players like Gasper-- the label manager, small players, middlemen and pawns like Kolade, Samuel and about-to-be Timi are all puppets to them. While they create the kind of structure that works, they feed on the innocence and desperation of pawns that can only further their purposes through deceit or barrier-breaking deals that promise fame, financial freedom and stability. Worse off, there's almost no way out. This really was the beginning of Mohbad's woes when he was signed to Naira Marley's label. Mohbad wanted out at all cost because he was done pushing drugs, Kolade wants out because Elder, the man behind the juicy deals, endorsements, shows, etc. don finish his butthole, LOL---pure sodomy. In the end, he is shot thrice in the chest by Gasper, his label boss but miraculously survives.
Other than this milieu, it also addresses youthful exuberance, perceived disrespect by overbearing adults like the marketing lecturer in Kolade's university, truth versus reality and familial issues including sibling wars tainted with jealousy, neglect or the wide gap between pastors and their children. An instance that became the bedrock for Kolade's drift in the first place. And parental influence on the career choices of their children. Wait a minute, does it still happen?
Apart from the production being a good combo, the hope of young Christians are strengthened and encouraged not to sway no matter what. Regardless of what the devil might be offering through his agents, God's plan for them is way better.
Gbo gbo enu ni ma fi so. It's like their budget went a bit high up this time but e show say "UnderSeige" is a complete shift from the norm and Damilola together with everyone he brought on the project did wonderfully well. Natural acting, good storyline, moderate comic relief and good music. The infusion mad gan, like very thrilling. This one na 10/9. Lol.
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