INTERVIEW: "MY MUSIC IS GOING TO BE BOMB"-AYO MTN PROJECT FAME 5 WINNER
He took 4 shots at the MTN Project Fame show but they were unsuccessful. Most people would have given up, but he remained dogged and bent on proving his mettle. He did not only scale through the fifth attempt but he also picked the winning ticket.
In this interview, the witty, out-spoken Covenant University graduate whose popularity is soaring high, told us about his odyssey into music as well as other issues. Enjoy!!!
(1) So, who is Ayo?My name is Ayoola Ayobami. I’m from Oyo State, the first of 5 children, I was born and bred in Kano. I moved to Lagos in 2001.
(2) How did you enter for Project Fame?I started from the first edition, that was 2008, all my attempts proved abortive. I quietly went for the 5th eÌdition, having tried out at all d seasons, and was publicly kicked out from the idols competition. I was just favoured to scale every huddle until I got to the finals.
(3) How did you feel that particular moment you were declared winner? An experience I would never forget in a hurry. Infact the import of the situation didn’t set in until I was congratulated and heard everyone screaming. It was just God. He saw my struggles, determination and decided to crown them with victory. The support was massive and I appreciate people who voted for me. (4) How sweet has the taste of victory been?I’m enjoying it and I hope more comes. Its been a very good ride, it comes with its own challenges but who am I to say No to enjoyment?
(5) So what would have come between you and your victory?
I have this school of thought that I don’t compete with anybody, I am my greatest challenge so I will say me. That’s if I’m not persistent enough.
(6) What are the challenges you’ve encountered so far?
They are much, having to stand out, to be unique, a whole lot of them.
(7) How has the journey been so far It’s been alright, full of ups and downs.
(8) How did you discover your talent in music?
As most people would say, they started singing as a child, when they were in their mother’s womb. Mine is close to that, i was born into the environs of music, my father used to be a choirmaster for about ten years, i would go to rehearsals with him in Kano.
I would watch him teach, play instruments, then i started learning how to play one or two instruments. I would say i started singing at age 6 or 7, that was when i did my first stage performance and that was silent night.
(9) Your parents are Pastors, how receptive are they to secular music?
My parents are my biggest fans, my biggest critics and they love the fact that I’ve been so gifted by God and I’m using it so well and so far. They would support me, pray for me, if they have millions, they will give me to pursue my music career. My father would shout at me whenever i lose my voice, he will tell me “don’t you know your voice is a million dollar instrument, take care of it”. That’s important for me cos i need support. They are in support of my music as long as i don’t go to the extreme even in secular music.
(10) What’s your kind of music?I love good music. I’m still in the process of discovering it, it’s a journey, I’ve done R’nB, Reggae, Naija pop and all. Every musician discovers his kind of music as time goes on.I’m still in the process of discovering my kind of music but whatever it is, it’s going to be so bomb. (11) What has stardom changed about you? Stardom has changed nothing, to be honest, I’m still the same guy.
(12) You’ve being an actor before you wanted to be an entertainer, how do you intend to cope with the two or you want to leave one for the other? It is not possible to do both at the same time, it’s going to be a bit difficult or harder than we all think. I think I’m willing and ready.
(13) Tell us about your educational background All started in Kano, i went to ECWA Nursery and Primary school, i can’t remember everything, one thing i remember is that there was a particular holiday when our President died, i didn’t know what was going on then but i was glad, i liked acrobatics, it was time to show some skills, so i went out and i remember being punished for that. I also went to Crison International school, i met a lot of people, got a lot of exposure, good and bad. Then we moved to Lagos, i did my WAEC in Binta International school, producers of Papa Ajasco, Ajasco was my junior. I did my A’levels for 2 years, i got to Covenant University 2005, graduated 2009 in B.Sc Biochemistry, i served in Delta State 2009/2010.
(14) How do you intend to affect lives with your music, what’s your message, what are you preaching to people? In as much as i am into music, it is my responsibilty as a responsible adult, to make sure that whatever i preach be it love, justice, i want to make sure that i do not adulterate my message and i know Nigerians, they get tired, they seem to think some messages can get boring, you’re going to find out my approach soon.I’m going to affect whoever is going to hear me cos i will not say rubbish, i will not preach nonsense, i will not sell sex, extravagance. I will say what they want to hear in a moderate way.
(15) How have you been coping with females in and out of the industry? Kokolets, in our brother D’banj’s word are a blessing, same thing with men, we are all blessings. I’ve always had a lot of female friends even before all these started. I have lots of new male friends than female friends now to be honest, i love having creative minds around me. There is no issue about coping, it’s just about staying level headed and i know that if I’m not careful I’m going to go out of control because everyone wants to be associated with success and greatness. I manage it well.(16) Do you have any special relationship with any female in the industry?I admire Genevieve Nnaji a lot.
(17) What would you have done if not entertainment?
I would have been a footballer. I would have gone far or be successful, i was tending towards that direction at some point in life, i was a goal keeper for my school, even though i wasn’t that good. Then i used to draw well, i would have been a good artist. I also wanted to be a good soldier, so many things.
(18) How soon should we expect your single and your movie?
Very soon. It is actually ready. As for the movie, i don’t want to let the cat out of the bag yet, I’m working on them.
INTERVIEW: "NO ONE HAS TAKEN MY SPACE"- BIGIANO
Few years after releasing his hit song ‘Shayo’, Babalola Gabriels, popularly called Bigiano, who had been in near oblivion 4 d past 3 to 4years has resurfaced,he is back and better. Few weeks ago, he released 3 captivating singles and organized a promo/unveiling party all geared at heralding his huge comeback. In this interview, the Ogun-born artiste spoke on his break from music, his return as well as other upcoming projects.
(1) You have been away for so long, what have you been up to?
My being away was intentional. I decided to keep my brand away, restrategize then come back, I have been doing tours, recording songs and spending time with my families. I’m not a flash in the pan, I just took time off to work on my brand.
(2) So what are you bringing back? What new thing are you introducing to the Bigiano brand?
Well. There are lots of them, I’m working on my image, you can see I’m wearing a new look, the hair is gone. Then I have lots of motivational messages to offer to people.
(3) Motivational as in, are you now a motivational speaker or you’re reflecting it in your music?
It will reflect in my songs and I will be speaking out for the youths as well as the younger race out there.
(4) So what new singles are you working on, tell us briefly about them?
I have got three singles out there, “As e dey hot”, who’s that girl” and oh laa laa, their videos are dropping soon. I have recorded over 100 songs already, after then, I’ll drop the collabos.
(5) What record label are you working on?
My new record label is Goldspan Entertainment and stronghold Records is my international promoter.
(6) Can you mention some of the artistes you are collaborating with?
May D, Davido, Wizkid and many more
(7) What should Bigiano’s fans expect from him?
They should expect a brand new Bigiano, I’m going to be dishing them good songs and I’ll also be consistent.
(8) When are you releasing your next album?
Next year, late next year because, I’m taking my time to churn out the best. It’s something that my fans and people out there are going to appreciate.
(9) What’s your take on the Nigerian music industry now?
The industry is growing and making a lot of sense, we just hope the government will help structure the country as a whole, not only in music aspect.
(10) What keeps you going as an artiste?
My inspirations and my faith, i strongly believe in myself and confident enough to stand and break through anywhere
(11) Asides the release party and the singles what other avenues are you exploring to make your fans know that Bigiano is back?
They already know I am back, the unveiling and promo went a long way and is still on-going, my singles are there, I’m only waiting to drop the videos so they will know all over the world.
(12) The industry has become so competitive, going by the number of good artistes we now have, how prepared are you for the competition?
I can’t find any competition any where, I’ve not been intimidated by any kind of music for the past few years, I don’t think anyone can stand Bigiano out there, no one has ever taken my space in the last 3 years. Let every artiste do what they have to do and let me do what i know best. The sky is wide enough for birds to fly.
(13) What are your challenges as an artiste?
People have lots of misconceptions about me, its really sad. And then putting 100% trust in people and you later find out they are not what they claimed to be.
Another thing is people mistake being principled for being arrogant.
(14) Asides the artistes you’ve mentioned, which other artistes/ producers are you working with?
For producers, I have Shizzi, Young D, Cobhams, Ty mix and other big names, for artistes I’ve got Akon on oh la la remix, AkA in South Africa, Mikasa, Letoya and in Nigeria Eva, and many others.
(15) What’s with the Kuti added to your name?
Kuti is my brand/merchandise name. I have reasons for choosing it.
(16) Who are your musical influences?
I have lots of them. While growing up, I got inspired by great singers with beautiful, ever-green music. Sunny Okosun, Christy Igbokwe, Chris Okotie, Ebenezer Obey, King Sunny Ade, Fela Anikulapo kuti. On the foreign side, we have Whitney Houston, Micheal Jackson, Celine Dion, Kenny Rogers, Jim Reves, Erikabadu and many more.
(INTERVIEW) MY NEXT FILM WILL BE THE BIGGEST-KUNLE AFOLAYAN
INTERVIEW: GABRIEL AFOLAYAN SPEAKS AT LENGTH ON HIS MUSIC CAREER
It is no longer news that seasoned actor Gabriel Afolayan, son of late film maker Adeyemi Afolayan and brother to accomplished actors, Kunle and Aremu Afolayan is dipping his hand into another pie, which is music.
In this interview, the debutante who is chanelling every faction of his talents into becoming a well-rounded artiste and who isn’t cowed by the presence of other established or upcoming artistes spoke at length about his sojourn into music amongst other issues.
1) Gabriel Afolayan is very successful in the acting terrain, what’s driving you into music?
Its strictly passion and music appreciation that is driving me on into the arena.
2) What kind of music do you do?
I do African soul
3) Your sizzling hot single, ‘Kokoro Ife’ is generating a lot of buzz everywhere, how do you feel about this?
I feel so happy and its surprising.
Never thought it would be this accepted, there’s this negative buzz about actors diversifying into music because they don’t get much roles again and thus have to supplement their earnings with music. No! The case is different, I’m just passionate about music and seeing this level of appreciation makes want to put in more efforts on my material.
3) Kokoro Ife is purely a love song. Is there any story behind the song or was it something you just stumbled on?
Kokoro ife is inspired by love and its complications. The continuous search for love and how we all rendezvous at the same spot. If you pay attention to the song you’ll find out the mode at which the guy searched and still couldn’t find, meaning you don’t set out searching for love, it comes to you natural. And the typical lesson is “if you are opportuned to secure love, hold on to it and cherish it”. This was said in the first 4 lines of the first verse. Basically Love is what the world seeks.
4) How long have you been into music?
Many people are not aware of the fact that I didn’t just make the decision to do music, I’ve been on the journey for long.
I started music professionally in 1997.
I was signed as a back up singer to a studio called phynix in Ibadan, Oyo State.
And also I used to back up for one- man band then as well. I was born a Baptist, I’ve been a chorister way back. I also had a musical group while in the Univeristy (University of Ibadan).
5) Are you quitting the stage for music or is there going to be a balance?
No way! I won’t. There is a balance already. I am under a management called studio 6 multimedia ltd; they have Studio 6 films and Studio 6 music. I’m like a complete brand to them and we have proper scheduling.
6) The music industry is highly competitive, how prepared are you for this?
I am prepared for the game cos I have something to offer in terms of my style. I listen to all kind of songs. But I appreciate soul music the most and it has inspired my style. That does not stop me from doing fast songs. It’s just that I would want to be known for a particular movement in music. I know about the competitive nature of the music industry and I must say it’s really making the game grow.
7) How far do you see yourself going in music?
The field is large enough. I am not coming in to drag or brag about anything. I am in music to bless the game with my uniqueness. And I know I will surely pull my own crowd/fans. I would surely contribute my quota. I’m going very far.
8) Any plans to release an album yet or feature other accomplished acts?
My album project is still in view but I’m just dropping singles for now. So I have just been recording songs at random. Although we’ve pencilled down some notable collaborations which I want to keep under wraps now.
9) Who is or are your influence(s) in the music industry.
A lot of them. I’m influenced by so many veteran musicians, talk of King Sunny Ade, Haruna Ishola, Ebenezer Obey, KWAM 1, Obesere, Victor Uwaifo, Segun Adewale, Admiral Adekunle, Sir Shina Peters, Kolawole Ayinla, Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, Pasuma, Kenny Kore, Samsong, Ty Bello, Tiwa Savage, W4, Wizkid, 2face, BankyW, Sound Sultan, Gt guitar man, Asa, Yinka Davies, Ego, Wande Coal, Lara George,Terry G and lots more. On the foreign scene I have Anthony Hamilton, Sisqo, Tyrese, Mario, Lauren Hill, Brandy, Smoky Robinson, Nat King Cole, Louis amstrong; the list is endless.
10) Considering the nature of your jobs now, how do you unwind?
The only time I unwind is when I want to sleep at night. The job itself is a whole lot of fun.
11) Has being the son of a film legend influenced you or opened doors for you in both careers?
It calls for more. Being from that source brings a lot of challenges. People pay attention to every detail, there are certain things they accept from others that they won’t take from you, it goes beyond being basking in the infleunce of my late father, it is really challenging.
Download Gabriel’s single, ‘Kokoro Ife’ (Love bug).