Creativity for him, begins with the name. Ohun, the Yoruba word for voice is his brand appeal for difference among equals. Damning the bandwagon trend for Rap and RnB craze among musicians and music lovers in Nigeria, the Osun State-born artiste sings pop. With his first album, In Your Eyes, coming on the deals of Orangootan label, the motivational speaker is set to make an unusual rhythm and beat that will not only be a delight for mature audience but also appeal to the taste of the Nigerian youths. He toldVictor Akande in this interview that his resolve to make Nigerians savour pop music would begin with his marriage of pop with Afro tunes.

Who do we have here?

I'm Ohun; a Yoruba word for voice. That goes for my stage name. My real names are Adelowe Noel Adejumo. I am from Osun State, born to Colonel and Mrs. Mary Adejumo.

How long have you been in music?

For quite a while now, I have been in and out of music.

Artistes have different coinage for the brand of music they sing, what music would you say you sing?

I sing pop music. Though I could also move to do Afro Pop, everything I do centres around pop music. I'm a pop musician.

How were you influenced to follow this line of genre?

While growing up, I've always loved Michael Jackson. I love Lionel Richie, I like to watch Luther Vandros and Marvin Gay, who are all pop stars; and when it comes to the female, I enjoy listening to Winston Houston a lot.

All these people here are foreign artistes. Have you considered what the Nigerian market is like, to know how easy or difficult it will be to get them to love this unusual genre?

What we have succeeded in doing in this particular production is to be able to blend the international feel with local feel. I'm sure that the fans will have something really good to pick from the songs because they are not outrightly western or locally based but a marriage of both. That is the dimension to the music.

Back in your youthful days, how did you discover your music talent?

Well, like the others, I never knew I could sing until I started in church and gradually from the choir, I started picking up; and here I am today by God's grace, I am able to call myself a musician.

Is you first work a single or an album?

It's a complete album entitled In Your Eyes and it's got six tracks. I have on that album; Ohun Ti De, Smile Again, Love Was Made,King Kereku, In Your Eyes and You're Not Good For Me.

You are a solo singer. Do you plan to have a band someday?

Yes! Every professional musician should be able to play with a band, especially when you go on tour. You can't stop at just being a CD musician. It's unprofessional. But you could start with that and afterwards, go on tour with your band.

One of the things which gives a musician an edge over others is his ability to perform on stage, what is your ability on stage like?

I'm a good stage performer, but don't forget that you cannot perform outside your music. It is the beat or the instrumentation of your song that determines the step that goes with it. But I bet you that my fans are out for something really new, something unique.

Talking about instrumentation, how do you dazzle your fans? Do you play any instrument?

I'm still working on my keyboard skills. I 'm sure that soon, I will be able to play that live on stage.

You want to tell us about any remarkable performance you have put up in recent times?

I've put up so many performances that are remarkable. I've had occasions where people scream and weep when I play but really, I'm not that kind of person that dwells in the past. I'm really looking forward to something extra-ordinary in the future; and that's what I'm working on right now.

What's you impression about the Nigerian music industry?

I think the music industry in Nigeria is growing every second because the space is opening up and you will be amazed when you tune on your television and see the kinds of video that we have got. Some of them can rank well with the international videos. Today, we have true singers; people who are truly musicians coming into the business and not just charlatans or people who want to while away their time. So, I believe the industry is growing.

How would you relate this to the just concluded West African Idols competition?

I think it was a right step in the right direction. With the proper packaging, if the organisers get a little bit more articulate and pay full attention to the concept of the vision, I'm sure they will do better. But it's definitely a right step in the right direction.

I heard some distinct drumming in one of the tracks. Is this in line with your new vision for what pop music should sound like for the Nigerian market?

That's the talking drum and what the talking drum is saying in Yoruba is Ibadi ni 'jo wa or Idi l' oni jo... which is about telling the people that the focus of good dance is the waist. Ohun lo l'orin… it is the voice that makes the song. Again, it is the beat or the instrument that determines a dancer's steps. All gear towards making a dull moment lively. That's what the talking drum is trying to say. That's an Afro-Pop track and we are trying to marry both of them; so that the music can have international appeal and still retains its local flavours.

Talking about your producers, did you have cause to try other labels before coming to Orangootan?

Well, I had been doing other stuffs before coming here but I think Carl Raccah is s good guy who has been doing fine on his job. His style is different from my previous experience. During the recording sessions, we had an amazing time together. I had learnt to listen to him, and he also listened to my views. So, as we rubbed minds together, we were able to move ahead. It was a fantastic time and we both look forward to the gains of the project.

Do you do some other things outside of music?

I'm a motivational speaker; I'm an event consultant. I do that when I'm not performing on stage. I do a lot of motivational speaking.

With so many budding music talents springing up daily in Nigeria, do you feel threatened in any way?

Not at all because right now in my category, for all I know, I'm the only one singing Pop. There are so many reggae artistes, so many R&B artistes, so many Hip Hop artistes but I think for Pop, I still stand out and I can say that anytime, anywhere. It's not about competition, it's about being good on your job, and I'm very good on my job.