Obi “Mr. Manger” Collins has questioned Cross River State’s inability to produce another major music star after Iyanya, despite the abundance of talent in Calabar and other parts of the state.
Collins, in his remarks, noted that Iyanya’s breakthrough came through the music reality show Project Fame West Africa, while also acknowledging the contributions of entertainment entrepreneur Ubi Franklin to the singer’s career.
He expressed concern over what he described as the failure of Cross River State to replicate Iyanya’s success by producing another widely recognised music star.
“Cross River State has failed to break out an artist after Iyanya. And Iyanya actually broke out from Project Fame and the good works of Ubi Franklin. What’s really the issue? With all the talents in Calabar?” Collins queried.
His post in X have raised questions about the challenges facing emerging musicians in Cross River State and the factors limiting their ability to achieve national and international recognition.
Despite Calabar’s rich pool of creative talent, aspiring musicians often face questions about access to funding, professional music management, record labels, industry connections, and platforms that can help them reach a wider audience.
Collins’ remarks have reignited discussions about the need for stronger support systems, investment in talent development, and sustainable entertainment structures to help emerging artists from Cross River State compete on a national stage.
The central question remains: With so much talent in Calabar, what is preventing the emergence of another music superstar from Cross River State?
