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A few days back, a stir occurred when Rarara Kahutu, the Hausa praise singer, received an honorary degree from the European-American University. It was a grand event held at the Nicon Luxury Hotel in Abuja, attended by Rarara’s family and friends. Suddenly, the day following the ceremony, a controversy emerged regarding the legitimacy of the event. Initially, the discussion focused on why Rarara was chosen over others, such as Alan Waka (Aminu Ladan), who performs in the same genre and has a significant fan base.

Prior to the matter being resolved, the European-American University issued a statement on its website denying the graduation ceremony that celebrated the singer, claiming that those who presented the award had no right to do so. Nevertheless, despite a counterclaim from those who awarded the honor, the controversy remains ongoing and has not yet been resolved.

I have always had a special affection for Rarara, particularly because of the song Masu Gudu su Gudu he performed in 2015 to mark the inauguration of Muhammadu Buhari as president. Readers may remember that those were exciting times, when many of us hoped that the new president, known for his stance against corruption, would replicate his previous actions. During that period, Rarara’s Masu Gudu su Gudu served as a reminder of Muhammadu Buhari’s earlier tenure as military Head of State, where he was known for being a strict enforcer who did not allow corruption in any form.

In the song that became popular at the time, Rarara was urging corrupt individuals in society to leave before Muhammadu Buhari assumed power. You could hear the chorus of the song in the streets, markets, and from the voices of children, women, and others, who sang it enthusiastically. From my point of view, it was this song that propelled Rarara ahead of his contemporaries at that time, and he has never fallen behind since. His distinctive style of music and dance has gained popularity and has effectively taken over the music scene, particularly in the northern regions of the country. He has also improved over time.

No one among his colleagues can match the Omo Ologo song, which honors President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. This track blends Hausa and Yoruba elements into a style that makes it easy to dance to and pleasant to sing. I have seen the president perform it in his unique way. Many governors have been dancing this song at various events, but I specifically highlight Niger State Governor Mohammed Umar Bago as the most creative dancer. The song is rapidly turning into a party anthem, and I expect it to play a major role in the upcoming 2027 election campaigns.

Certainly, Rarara is a praise singer, but it’s true that most prominent Hausa singers have also been praise singers. Many of the greats relied on just one instrument. What made them stand out was the content of their songs and the way they performed them. Ibrahim Narambada and Musa Dan Kwairo used the Kotso drum, Mamman Shata used the Kalangu drum, Dan Maraya Jos used the Kuntigi lute, Haruna Uji used the Gurmi lute, and Ahmadu Doka and Hassan Wayam used the Kukuma fiddle. Rarara has elevated this tradition by combining his rich voice with modern musical instruments, along with carefully planned dance routines featuring female backup singers.

Some of Rarara’s top songs now carry a political slant, favoring the ruling APC and its leaders. We can’t fault him for that. Praise singers will always have their idols. Narambada had Sarkin Gobir na Isa, Dan Kwairo had Sardauna Mai Dubun Nasara, Shata had Sarkin Daura, and so forth. Rarara’s strong connection with APC officials is likely what makes him more contentious. Regarding the commotion about the honorary degree he received, it’s not really relevant. Universities around the globe have awarded such honors for various reasons as a form of recognition for individual accomplishments.

Nigerian universities have also participated in this initiative. Mamman Shata received an honorary doctorate from ABU Zaria in 1985, and Dan Maraya Jos was similarly recognized by the University of Jos. LASU and Lead City University also presented honorary degrees to the famous Juju musician, King Sunny Ade. Since 2014, Obenezer Obey has been serving as a Professor Emeritus at Olabisi Onabanjo University. However, Victor Uwaifo, who passed away in 2021 at the age of 80, obtained his doctorate through a mix of classroom learning and research. The guitar expert whose Akwete music we danced to during our secondary school years in the late 1960s balanced his musical career with academic activities. He taught at the University of Benin and, at one time, served as Commissioner for Arts, Culture, and Tourism in Edo State.

Maybe someone would suggest that Rarara Kahutu move past the incident involving the honorary degree from the European-American University, go back to school, and, similar to Victor Uwaifo, strive for a more legitimate doctorate. Rarara, who is now 39, is still young. Victor Uwaifo went back to Uniben when he was over 50 and pursued a BSc, an MSc, and a PhD, all while remaining a prominent figure on the radio as a musician.

Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).