DEPRESSION | THE DANGER OF THE DEADLY AILMENT AND THE NIGERIAN ARTISTES SUFFERING FROM IT

Depression is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act. The disorder is alive in our music industry and if left untreated, could deteriorate into something much worse, cases of suicide.

Back in October 2016, a UK study showed that a staggering 69% of active musicians had suffered from depression, but in 2018 Nigeria, depression is still majorly seen as a myth. Nigerian laywer, journalist and media entrepreneur Chude Jidenowo revealed in a recent interview revealed that over 14 million Nigerians may be living with depression which if true, is a worrying figure and explains the growing rate of suicide in the country.

In the music industry, an unfortunate poster boy of depression is Tunji Ibrahim Bello aka TeeBillz. In 2016 he attempted suicide by jumping off the Ikoyi bridge, opening up issues related to his marriage with Tiwa Savage.

TeeBillz later revealed that he had long been depressed before the unfortunate episode. He had lost interest in a lot of things like his normal daily activities and approach to things, and was unable to sleep and concentrate. In the interview he revealed that when he looks back to the tings that happened then, it’s hard to believe that they were done by him. People knew something had been wrong with him, but couldn’t understand. He was still able to do normal stuff and pretended things were okay. The 323 Entertainment boss however suffered a relapse back in September, when he went on an another social media addressing the alleged Tiwa Savage-Wizkid relationship.

Mavin’s Reekado Banks is another artiste who has reportedly had a episode of depression. In August 2016, the singer tweeted Depressed. In follow up tweets, several hours apart, he wrote

Gotta Keep It Going Regardless. Nothing is as it seems. Everything is probably fucked.

Former YBNL artiste Adekunle Gold explained his battle with depression in June 2018 interview saying,

“Some people still feel like depression is impossible. How do you have everything and you are still not happy. Sometimes even as an artiste, you have a goal.

“You want to get bigger and then you forget the small victories like you released and album and people loved it. You sold out a show and people loved it. Forgetting that if you don’t get the next thing you want, it will feel like you have lost it. “That alone will do damage to your confidence and other things.”

Adekunle Gold’s ex labelmate, Viktoh, posted a scary suicidal message on social media barely a month later.

What happens next when the world knocks you down? There is so much pain in the world that I just wanna leave and go somewhere better. I want to go to a place where your heart never aches again. I just wish something could take this pain away.

He soon deleted the message.

For observers, the life of Made Men Music Boss, Ubi Franklyn, has been pretty topsy turvy in the past couple of years, and he revealed in June 2017 how he had been badly depressed from July 20, 2016 to March 2017 thereabouts. 

His life began to deteriorate so much that he literally wouldn’t eat and sleep much, getting his family and close friends scared. He got suicidal, but was saved by the voice of his son in his head and his pastor’s message.

 

Alterplate records artiste, Harrysong, caught a lot of attention in September 2018, when he wrote on social media,

Dont cry wen i die,celebrate,put up a kingmaker concert,empower more youths,..i have Lived..i have Done my bit,carry on in grace... TEKERO❤ I LOVE YOU ALL.#altersoldier.

A number of celebrities reached out, afraid for Harrysong’s life and a couple of days later, Harrysong sought professional help by seeing a therapist and posted the update on social media, putting the minds of his fans and friends at ease.

Prioducer Samklef added his name to the known music celebrities known to have battled or be battling with depression when he wrote on his social media I need emotional counselling. It’s eating me deep. I have been going through this P since I was 11 years old.

Nikki Laoye and Banky W and a number of entertainers outside the music industry that include Toke Makinwa and philanthropist Kokun have also revealed their battle with depression, with Kokun indicating his willingness to commit suicide in a September 2018 social media post.

Depression is a serious ailment, but unfortunately, even with all this publicized cases, the majority opinion is that it is non existent, a white people’s problem or one that only poor people should suffer. Singer Kelly Hansome recently wrote that depression is the repercussion of living a fake and unsustainable life, an insensitive and false remark.

 

According to a Havard Medical School report, Research suggests there are many possible causes of depression, including faulty mood regulation by the brain, genetic vulnerability, stressful life events, medications, and medical problems. It's believed that several of these forces interact to bring on depression.

We need to change our reasoning and understand how serious depression is and the government needs to provide more means for consultation and treatment. We need to curb this cancer, before it begins to devour our music industry.