I’m A Street Boy

Albino and Ilesha, Osun State Nigeria-born Afro beat singer Olumiyiwa Babalola aka Fela Shadow spoke with P.M. Entertainment about Afro beat music, Fela Anikulapo Kuti and other Issues

Fela Shadow, how did you come about that name?

The name was given to me by my fans who watch me perform. They call me Fela Ghost,Fela Shadow and all sorts of name, but the one that stuck to me is Fela Shadow. Though Fela is my mentor, I am not his shadow. So my stage name is Muyi Afro.

How did you start playing music?

I started in the church but the direction of my music changed when I started going to the shrine. That was when the Afro beat influence came .

Were you one of Fela’s band members?

No. A friend took me to the shrine. I seldom went out because my uncle whom I was staying with then was a disciplinarian. But after my uncle’s death coupled with Fela’s influence the desire to play Afro music became very strong.

Did you have any close encounter with Fela before he died?

No, but the only encounter I had with him was in a dream. There was a day I went to the shrine and after taking some stuff I slept off and when I woke up I got the influence to play Afro music and ever since I have been an Afro beat singer and I have played in Lagos, Abuja and other parts of the country.

Are you working on an album now?

Oh yes! I am working on one now. It is a mixture of Afro beat, hiphop and other genres of music.

Have you been in contact with any of Fela’s children?

Yes, I have met with Seun and Femi who invited me for one of the Fellbration shows, but I was unable to make it because of an engagement I had then.

Have you ever been told that you resemble Fela?

Yes, any time I perform people shower encomiums on me, saying that I make them remember the Late Afro beat King, Fela Anikulapo Kuti.

Which of Fela’s character have you imbibed?

Its only my fans and those that have a close encounter with me that can tell.

Do you smoke or womanise?

I dey do that small small, Ah! Woman? That one na game now.

How many types of instruments do you play?

I play Conga, Key board and a bit of sax.

Apart from Femi and Seun which other Afro beat singer have you met?

I have met Mr. Roy and Segun Damisa now deceased, We used to play in Abuja together when he was alive.

How will you assess Afro bear music after Fela?

It is becoming stronger by the day, because music is very technical and it can only be played by professionals and for you to record Afro beat music in the studio, it must be recorded live. Afro beat music is real, not music one plays or performs with CD.

Fela had many wives. Do you wish to have many like him?

No, I am still single and I will not have more than one wife.

Why are you not married at your age?

I am still trying to make things happen, for now I’m married to my music.

What kind of upbringing did you have?

I grew up on the streets, that makes me a street boy.

How many of you are in the family?

From my mum, we have three boys and two girls, but my dad has many kids because he is a polygamist

How many of you are albinos?

Two of us, myself and my sister.

Was there any discrimination against you and your sister because you are albinos?

No, In fact, I left my parents’ home in Ilesha to live with an uncle called Dr. Afilaka, the owners of Bibi Hospital,Lagos, If not for his death I won’t have had opportunity to play Afro beat music because he was a disciplinarian like I told you earlier

Have you make money playing Afro Beat?

Its not easy but God has been wonderful.

Do ladies discriminate against you because you are albino or they often want to try you for size?

They don’t but i dey take am easy and I dey try small smal.l

Are you working on an album now?

Yes. One is on the way. It is a seven tracker. Three tracks are ready. The full album titled Something Dey Happen For Somewhere will be released soon.