Tu Vas Lire L’heure

Stanley Enow said “Tu Vas Lire L’heure” and that’s exactly what we are doing irrespective of whether we like(d) the song or not. I even think Stanley is “liring l’heure” too and he didn’t even see it coming. The reactions to his song have eclipsed other new releases and I must say this is a double edged sword. I’m not trying to change your opinion of the song but I can’t help chewing over how some of these opinions have been expressed. 

There’s a huge difference between criticism and spite. Even someone who wasn’t able to handle criticism a couple of months ago was quick to dismiss the song as “nothing”. This is art for crying out loud and even “nothing” has something to say. I have the impression that we sometimes forget that humans, other than ourselves, have feelings and therefore think only our feelings can be hurt. Most of the comments have been unnecessarily petty and malicious.

The problem with such “reviews” is that the people that they are intended for hardly ever listen and learn from them. This is because when their egos are touched, they tend to be stubborn. Personally, I don’t think the song is as bad as people make it sound. I don’t even think it’s bad in the first place. But could he have done better? I’d say “yes”.

That said, I think he should listen to constructive criticism if he really wants to stay “relevant” in the long run. If he wrote the MTV Africa Music Awards winning “Hein Père”, I think he can still write something that good if he puts enough work into it. He could consider getting a ghostwriter from time to time and that’s in case he wants to do serious music (dedicated arts). If he doesn’t like this option, then he should have a “test audience and exercise more patience.” Not all songs recorded are released. It sometimes takes artists years to release songs; some work on the song till they feel it’s ready for the public.

I applaud Stanley Enow’s maturity even though he might have lost his cool once or so. Whatever his source of level headedness is, let him continue tapping from it. It takes a lot for someone not to vent, spew rage or insult when ridiculed this way. I’ve even pictured him on his yoga mat humming a mantra that chases negative energy away. He is above everything, a good business strategist and we shouldn’t forget this is showbiz.

Like Mr Moon would say, “You know what’s great about hitting rock bottom? There’s only one way left to go, and that’s up!” I’m not saying he hit rock bottom with this piece; remember I said I like the song. For those of you who think he did, this rock bottom will be a new launch pad. No publicity is bad publicity. Let’s exploit the ambiguity of this expression. Either way, it still makes my point.

N.M.