Mr. 442's Free Music Letter to Niger
Nigerian musician Mr. 442 has made his music available online for free download in protest of the government’s refusal to provide support for artists and musicians in the country. Mr. 442 released an open letter to his country titled Free Music Letter to Niger, criticizing the government and stating that its lack of help has left him with no choice but to give his music away free of charge.
Mr. 442's connection to Niger
Niger is a country in West Africa with a population of approximately 20 million people and one of the lowest GDPs in the world. Over the last few years, it has been on the front page of international news for its instability. But what I didn't know until recently was that one of my favorite producers, Mr. 442, hails from there!
The purpose of the letter
In the letter, 442 talks about the power of music and how it can be used as a tool for empowerment. He also describes his own experience with trying to get his music out into the world and how it was difficult at times because of cultural barriers. Eventually he found success when he started making Nigerian music instead of American hip-hop and that is when he found his niche in the market.
The content of the letter
I hope you are well and enjoying life. I want to thank you for taking the time out of your day to read my letter and I want you to know that you were the inspiration for this letter today! Keep doing what you're doing because you're impacting so many people in such a positive way. If there is anything I can do for you please don't hesitate to reach out and ask. Much love, Mr. Xdough
The response to the letter
Dear Mr. 442,
I am sorry for your situation in Niger. I hope that your letter will help people understand what the struggles are like in a country that is not theirs and does not have the same opportunities as other countries. As someone who has been fortunate enough to live in a country with free music, I am very grateful for this opportunity and think of it as my responsibility to give back and make sure more people can access free music like I do now.
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