22nd August, 2014
You recently launched the House of Cuppy, your music label. Why did you set up the company?
I have always wanted to do my own thing whether creative or not. I got that entrepreneurial spirit from my father. However, with my job, I have been so fortunate to travel around the world. And everywhere I visited, I noticed that we underestimate the power of music here in Nigeria. In other climes, people use music to interact and as far as Nigerian musical content is concerned, there is so much potential here. That’s why I started my music company. I want to take Nigeria music to other places that have different sounds. I want to have a company that will give opportunities to African artistes. I want to create a platform to launch them into the world scene. It is great that I have a talent, but how do I commercialise it? That is why I am doing my Masters in New York, United States. I will be concentrating on music business. I am looking at the legal side of entertainment. A lot of music artistes waste away because they are not well protected. So, my 10-year plan is to bring all these into the Nigerian entertainment scene.
What informed your decision to remix that Wole Soyinka’ song “I love my country”?
I am just so excited to have the opportunity to remix such a meaningful song. I have always been a fan of Nigerian Highlife music and fascinated by Uncle Tunji Oyelana as an artist and have always appreciated his songs. When I decided to try something adventurous, I started making house remixes of old Yoruba records. Having tried out a few, but there was just such an empowerment about that song voiced by Uncle Tunji Oyelana.
But don’t you think remixing that song in a Techno/House style will kill its originality?
I don’t think so. As a producer, the sound I create is called Neo-Afro-beats best described as a fusion of electric, house and Afro-beats.
In your mixes, I noticed that you experiment with different genres. But what would you say is your favourite?
I listen to all types of music, which is a reflection of my personal taste.
Tell us things about your father that most Nigerians do not know?
My father is someone I have always looked up to all my life. I have always known him to be very hard working and passionate about his business. He is very kind-hearted and humane. I am constantly hoping that I will end up being at least half of him, even if I can’t be close to who he is. My father is always challenging himself. He is a very loving person and very creative. He is very passionate about his business and loves what he does. Being a very busy businessman can be very demanding and places some restrictions on one’s social inclinations. But my father is very sociable and he still loves to interact with people. He always has inspiring words for anyone he comes across.