How has it been since you moved to Ondo?
Let me correct that; I spend more time in Lagos than Ondo. My businesses and immediate family are in Lagos. What I told you last year was that I would be moving back home gradually. I plan to be spending more time in Ondo and this will be gradual.
Lately, you are being seen more with many of these new generation artistes. Are we expecting any major collaboration between you and some of them?
I cannot tell you about [collaborations] for now. But I must confess that I find their company very stimulating. Just recently, I was with some of these boys, including Olamide and Wizkid, at Mo Abudu’s 50th birthday. We were like a family. If any of them I willing to have collaboration with me, they are welcome. I love all of them and that’s why they all call me their father.
Many were stunned with your perfect combination with D’Banj at the last Glo Evergreen Series in Lagos. Did you rehearse that gig or was it happenstance?
To tell you the truth, we never rehearsed that D’Banj’s song, Mobomowonlowo. In fact, I knew little about the song prior to that night. But when he came to meet me behind the stage, we both listened to the song and I told him where I would come in during the performance. We thank God that everything went well that day. But what actually happened that we could not meet to rehearse was that days leading to that event, I was busy with some projects in Abuja, while D’Banj, I learnt, was in South Africa and also came in a few days to the event.
Last year you were part of the first season of Coke Studio Africa but looking at the roll call of artistes involved in the second season this year, your name is missing. What happened?
There is no problem. Last year I was invited to Kenya to be part of the first season of that wonderful project and we all had a wonderful experience. But this new season, maybe the organisers wanted to give other artistes opportunity to share in the experience. You know there are many talented artistes in Africa and they may want to spread the opportunity round. Maybe next time they can still bring me back; you can never tell.
What is your general view of the present state of Nigerian music industry?
Firstly, I thank God that we have been able to make our own brand of music acceptable to our people. Gone are those days when our people showed preference to foreign music; things are changing fast. Also the young musicians themselves have evolved their own styles and no longer copy their foreign counterparts. Most of our musicians are now picking from either Juju or Fuji music to create their individual music style. This means Nigerian musicians are working very hard. Secondly, many parents now allow and support their children to play music, unlike when we started. This shows there is a positive progression in the industry.
What are the challenges running a big band like the Golden Mercury of Africa?
Well, let me explain what a big band is. A big band starts from five. But I have a 50-member band. At every point in time on stage, we have about 23 members plus two engineers, making it 25. Sometimes we could have like five dancers, making 30. We have about 10 roadies, and if we are going to use the stage, the lights and those with the two trucks that we normally use, we would be going to 50. It depends on the venue of our shows. If it is a hall, we have a smaller band. But if you put us outside, like a stadium, we use our complete band. So, I will say it is not easy to move a big band. The economy is not so friendly and this affects us also. I have been so used to a big band and it is very difficult to adjust to something smaller so that it won’t affect the qualities of music that we give to our people.
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