GOLDIE AND THE MISCREANTS OF SOCIAL MEDIA

Goldie Harvey

The sudden death of Nigerian pop singer, Susan Oluwabimpe "Goldie" Harvey has to be the worst news that has hit Nigerians in 2013 so far. Even worse was the fact that she died in the evening of Valentine's Day after her return from Los Angeles, United States of America where she attended the Grammy Awards. Her record label reported that the singer complained of a severe headache after the long flight. She was rushed to Reddington Hospital in Victoria Island, Lagos where she was pronounced dead shortly after.

The news first sprang up on the social media from popular gossip blogger Linda Ikeji who claimed Derenle Edun, a close associate of Goldie called her to say the pop star died in his arms at the hospital. The furor that followed was unbelievable as the news which was originally thought to be a rumour spread like wild fire before confirmation came from Goldie's twitter handle as posted by her admin staff that the news of her demise was actually true. 

Goldie was an artist under Kennis Music. She joined the record label in 2010 and has since then, enjoyed a good measure of success. She has received 10 awards amongst which are Exquisite Lady of the year, Best Female Artiste award and City People Best Female Artiste of the year. She represented Nigeria in the last year's edition of Big Brother Amplified (BBA7) which held in South Africa where she was third runner up.

The 31 year old Ekiti State born diva was undoubtably a hard worker who took her musical career quite seriously. She was lambasted heavily on the social media last year by Nigerians who believed she was unoriginal and did not portray the country's culture in a positive light as she appeared to have displayed a western mentality that did not tally with her Nigerian roots at the BBA7 star game. Others criticised the musician for her on-off romance with a fellow housemate, the Kenyan rapper Prezzo. Whatever the case, the criticisms boosted her popularity immensely.

However, after her death was confirmed, it was appalling to see a few uncouth Nigerian youths take to twitter to display their unwarranted hatred for the exited star by making the most crude comments about her death. I was in dismay as I saw comment after comment that made me mourn the loss of humanity in human beings. 

The social media in recent times has become a vocal medium for self expression for the younger generation. However, despite its numerous advantages, it has revealed the most depraved and psychotic mentality of the youths of this generation. This new found freedom of expression has given rise to unbridled and wanton display of stupidity by urchins of unregenerated ancestry. I was extremely shocked reading through the tweets of some persons who displayed the most extreme form of insensitivity and a total lack empathy towards the death of a young woman who rose above the challenges faced by youths in Nigeria today to succeed and make a name in the music industry.

These shamelessly ignorant lot who cowardly insulted Goldie fail to realise that whatever meaningless fame they have gathered via the social media will NEVER translate to any positive change in their miserable existence. The real world is out there and Goldie conquered it. Any doubt in her musical prowess will never belittle the fact that in her short life span, she achieved heights of success and is worth more dead than they will ever be alive.

This once again raises the issue of social media censorship. I think a sort of check should be introduced - probably an IQ test to reduce the influx of the unbelievable amount of retards on the social media. As Harlan Ellison once said; "The two most common elements in the universe are Hydrogen and stupidity", it has become overwhelmingly evident on the social media.

For those who know better, the social media is a potent medium for image laundering and capability branding. I would advise the teeming youths of Nigeria to take advantage of it to sell their images positively - sell your image, your abilities, your talents and not your stupidity. The world slowly but steadily moving towards a time when your social media image will be attached to your personality and it will be a useful instrument for sifting the chaff from the real deal. Relevance is relative; you may deceive yourself that have attained a certain level of stardom by the number of followers you have on twitter but it will never amount to anything useful in your life. Contrary to what you may think, you are what you tweet and your tweets determines the kind of crowd you attract as birds of the same feathers flock together.

Be advised.

My most heartfelt condolences goes out the family, close friends and associates of Goldie Harvey. Her bright light was snuffed out too soon. May God grant them and indeed, her numerous fans the fortitude to bear the painful loss.

Malcolm O. Ifi. 

Photo Credit: The Internet