Paramount King of Fuji Music, Alhaji Abass Akande Obesere, the Agbaakin Abobagunwa of Yorubaland, in this interview, speaks with Saturday Tribune’s SEGUN ADEBAYO about the current peace moves pervading the Fuji music industry among other issues.
The Fuji music industry where you are a prominent figure appears to be calm now with the top acts reuniting and sheathing their swords. What does this portend for the industry now?
For me, unity is very important for progress, and what is happening now within the Fuji industry is a good one. What usually happens most of the time is what I call business rivalry, because things can’t be going the way we want always. There will be a time when it will appear somehow. Meanwhile, for peace to continue to reign, just like the Yoruba proverb that says when one is growing older, battles are better neglected. We are all getting old and the right things are being done to make things better. Remember where there is unity, anything we plan to do comes out smoothly and successfully. I personally appreciate the fact that peace is reigning among all Fuji artistes and I want it to remain like that.
Over the years, we saw how Fuji artistes used their albums or singles to shade one another. But some people believe it was a ploy by marketers to sell the albums. Is this really true?
That’s not really true. Shading one another will be for a while; a good song will always remain forever. So, for an artiste to believe that if he or she needs to attack someone else or a fellow musician to chase clout or before a song can blow up will not last forever. You can’t be singing that kind of song every time. People will even ask you to do something different instead of shading others all the time. I feel people won’t really appreciate that. People need to pick one or two lessons from every song you put out.
You have been in the game for decades but something seems to keep putting you out there like you just started. What has been working for you?
First of all, my God is working for me. My spirit is also working for me and people (fans) are always there for me. And I don’t give chance at disappointing my fans at any given time. I always put in hard work in every album I put out. So, all these three main factors have been very effective in my life.
In your early days in the music industry, you called yourself Omo Rapala among other names. Are you proud of answering those names now?
People already know me with those nicknames and there is nothing I can do about it. They are part of my names now because I have been answering them since little. If you call me Omorapala or the other names I will definitely answer you.
We heard of the meeting between Osupa and K1 in their bid to resolve their age-long feud. How did you feel when you heard about it?
I felt good and like I said, peace and unity is important because we are all getting older. In fact, PMAN president, Alhaji Sikiru Agboola, has always wanted peace to reign among Fuji artistes.
You don’t look your age but you are not getting younger. How soon are we going to hear that Obesere has stopped singing?
Why do I have to stop singing? I came from a home of music. The only time I enjoy myself is when I am on stage. So, quitting music is like doing myself a big harm or depriving myself of enjoyment. So, I don’t know when I am going to stop singing.
Or you don’t see yourself quitting music?
Never! The only time I have time for myself is when I am on stage in terms of expressing my feelings and enjoying myself.
When you sit down to compose in those days, did you feel like the songs may not be relatable in few years to come?
Everything I have done concerning music is authentic; so the message I pass in my songs are futuristic as well if you listen to them well. They won’t just go away. Some are for the past, present and many are for the future. So, if you don’t pay utmost attention to my lyrics, you may think they are for the time being but no, they are useful all the time. All my lyrics have meaning though some may be funny to you. So, when you listen to my lyrics without sentiment then you know what I’m talking about.
Is there any of your song that you are not proud of releasing today?
There is none of my songs that I am not proud of. I have never regretted releasing any song whatsoever. I am proud of everything concerning music that I have put out there.
What’s your relationship with other Fuji artistes like?
I love all other Fuji artistes and we have cool relationships. In fact, not only Fuji, other music artistes as well. I am a very simple and easygoing person but I don’t like when people take me for granted because I am simple or respectful. I do take things very easy. I have never seen myself and I do tell God not to allow me see myself, but let the people see me
Tell us about your concert coming up on October 6?
I have a concert coming up on October 6 at the Indoor Sports Hall, Surulere, Lagos, and I invited mostly Fuji artistes. I called most of them. I called Saheed Osupa, Pasuma, Sefiu Alao, Malaika, Remi Aluko, Atawewe, Muri Thunder and many like that. They all promised to be there. But few of them that may be are out of the country may not be present. So, there is a good rapport among us. When they need me I respond and do my part as well.
Will you say you are fulfilled as a music person?
I feel very fulfilled.
How do you react to Mohbad’s death?
I felt very bad when I heard about his demise. Only God knows best and nothing happens without God’s knowledge. I really sympathise with the family and I wish they accept my condolences. May his soul rest in peace and I want to use this opportunity to pray for his family that such won’t happen again by the special grace of the Almighty.
How has life been treating you now that you don’t need to struggle for many things of life anymore?
Life has always treated me well as God has really been by my side. He has always been there for me and that is why I keep existing and doing things the way they are supposed to be.
When you look back at your life and some of the actions you had taken, is there anything you regret doing?
I have no regrets whatsoever. And I want to use the opportunity to appreciate all my fans worldwide that I, Agbaakin Abobagunwa of Yorubaland, promise not to ever disappoint them in any way.
It was a big surprise to many people when the video of you congratulating K1 on his new chieftaincy title surfaced online. Many didn’t expect it because of the age-long feud between you both. What really happened?
Before God and man, Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde called me and Alhaji Saheed Osupa. And Osupa being a brother to me has always been a very good brother of mine. There has never been a time he called that I didn’t respond. So they both spoke to me at the same time and what Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde said was that he wanted me to be at his chieftaincy ceremony on September 26 and I said okay. And Saheed Osupa then said he wanted me to be present.
But you didn’t go there. Is there any reason you stayed away?
I didn’t stay away. After that conversation, I embarked on a journey to the United Kingdom as I had lined up shows in London for 22nd, 23rd and 24th and was supposed to be back to Nigeria September 25. But unfortunately, I couldn’t manage the stress further due to the shows I had back to back. That was why I couldn’t make it because I needed enough rest.
How did you feel when you saw K1’s call inviting you to his event?
He called me himself and for him to have done that I should let go because we are not getting any younger. And I told him I wasn’t fighting him and he said ‘I’m not fighting you Abass’.
Would you have gone if you were not invited?
I have always maintained that wherever I am not invited, I don’t go there because I detest insults. I don’t cross boundaries and I respect people a lot. That’s why I enjoy respecting people. Because when you respect yourself, you will respect others. That’s why they say respect is reciprocal. So, for him to have called me, I had to honour him and because I wasn’t chanced due to circumstances beyond my control that was why I had to make that video for him to see that I don’t have anything against him.
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