Music News | 24 October 2008 21:18 CET

I’m A Special Breed........Abass Akande Obesere

By nfc

Top fuji musician, Abass Akande Obesere, who performed at this year's Olokun Festival organised by the Oodua People's Congress (OPC), speaks about the event, his new project and other issues

Q: Are you a member of Oodua People's Congress?
A: No, not really.

Q: Why do you perform at the Olokun Festival virtually every year?
A: It is because of the love the organisation and its leader have for me and my band. So, if you say I am an OPC member, I am one.

Q: People refer to you as a god, I mean Oosa, are you one?
A: Any one created by God and loved by people is a god. You know I come from an Egungun family, I mean my descendants are Egungun worshippers. I am from the Jalaruru family, but now, I am a born-again Muslim.

Q: But as a Muslim, why do you play at an OPC-organised event?
A: God is a lover of culture because He created all good things. We cannot rubbish our tradition because of religion.

Q: Are you fetish?
A: I don't know anything about that, but if I see someone that can take me to a native doctor, I don't mind. Can you take me to one?

Q: What are you working on for now?
A: I am working on a double album titled Ologbojo and Hitech. Also, I am working on a hip-hop album, which will be released in December.

Q: Have you now joined the bandwagon of fuji artistes who are into hip-hop music?
A: As a professional musician, I can play any brand of music. So, I am not joining the bandwagon.

Q: There is a controversy of kingship in fuji music and you call yourself Paramount King of fuji, how did you come about the title?
A: The title was given to me by a media organisation named Pinade International Media. I was installed by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi.

Q: Who is the real fuji king?
A: There are kings and there are kings, but I am the paramount king of fuji. As far as I am concerned, King Sunny Ade, Alhaji Siriku Ayinde Barrister and Alhaji Ayinde Kolington, are our leaders. But anyone can call himself/herself king. As for me, I did not install myself, I am paramount king of fuji and nobody can take that from me.

Q: Are you satisfied with the present level of fuji music?
A: Yes, lots of musicians are playing fuji music, Gongo Aso is fuji and so many others like that.

Q: What is the problem with the music industry?
A: Pirates are the enemy of musicians and by God's grace we will crush them.

Q: Have you really made money from music or your other investments?
A: Me, Abass Akande Obesere, I am not rich and I am not poor. I have made money from music.

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