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Friday, 7 October, 2016
Rotimi Ige rotimiige@yahoo.com 0811 695 4636 IG: @roy_ige twitter: @fridaytreat
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son, once I am not engaged in this creative enterprise; I would be in the kitchen cooking some healthy delicacies as medical experts currently advocate. Assessment of the Nigerian music industry Nigerian music is growing so fast but I will like to introduce the Motherland soulful art into the Nigerian music industry.
Olaniran Abiodun Olalekan, stage name Hareesto is a South African based Nigerian musician. In this interview, the award winning musician in this interview with TAYO GESINDE speaks about the similarities between Nigerian and South African music, his favourite pastime and how to stop piracy. Excerpts:
Nigerian artistes I wish to collaborate with The delectable Asa has always been my favourite musician to collaborate with and I look forward to doing a duet with her either on her project or on my personal project.
I miss my mum’s Egusi soup
How to stop piracy Piracy is an age-long challenge for the creative industry; every musical album that succeeds fall victim. Unfortunately, the pirates feed well on the sweat of others. However, we would keep appealing to the lovers of good music to support us (the musicians) by purchasing the original disks. I believe that is the only thing way to stop piracy in Nigeria. On whether I prefer singing with a life band or to be cued with a DJ. The test of a musician is his ability to play with a live band. A live band needs a lot of rehearsals so that it can also synchronize. That’s the hallmark of a professional.
—Hareesto, South African-based Nigerian musician
F
ORAY into music I started music early in life because I discovered my talent for music when I was five years old. However, the drive of my parents to ensure that I completed my education made me start practicing music late. With all sense of appreciation, I also consider their desire as one of the best for me because my education is an advantage to my music career. I have been in the music industry for 12 years; I started by learning how to play guitar to complement. Mentors I have a number of mentors and they impacted on my style of music despite not having physical contact with some of them. People like Bob Marley, Tracy Chapman, Phil Collins, and
LoukaKanza are the music dons that I really adore. Work done so far At the moment, I have two singles and one album. I also have collaborated with K Zinger, Leigh Harmony: they are Nigerian musicians who are also based in South Africa. I am also working on some projects and I am hopeful that all these will see the light of the day very soon. On how my music was accepted by Nigerians in South Africa It is general knowledge that Nigerians are everywhere doing well in all the industries that they have found themselves in. In South Africa, Nigerians; especially those of Yoruba descent have embraced my music. I really appreciate their support because if you
are not accepted by your people in a foreign land; who will celebrate your efforts? The similarities and differences between the South African Music and the Nigerian Music Industry Nigerian music is going international as fast as it can and South African music is also doing the same. However, I love South African music a lot because most of their music are based on African roots beats.
about home Home will always be home. I have missed a lot of things about home. I grew up in a family of seven boys and seven girls. I miss the companionship and the relationship between my brothers and I. I am sure this will make you laugh, I also mis the special Egusi soup that my mom cooks every weekend. In all, the dream to always make them proud of my attainment at home is what I strive for daily.
Awards won so far My Single; I’ll wait, won Pretoria music award in 2012. The award spurred me to continue to make good music and I am all out to delight my teeming fans with quality tracks and videos.
What I will be doing if I am not a musician Like I mentioned earlier, Bob Marley, one of my mentors and he was an activist. I would have taken that same path if I am not into music.
What I miss most
Favorite pastimes I am a very homely per-
What I intend to do next Hareesto has been in the music industry for a while and he intends to go into the movie industry too. These are both creative crafts and they work hand in hand and that is the beauty of the creative industry. To my fans Shout out to all my fans. I want to appreciate you for the support that I have received till date. All the efforts that have been invested in my career would have been a waste without your support. Please keep on supporting me and I won’t let them down. Advice for upcoming artistes I am giving this advice which is a simple phrase, “Thou shall not give up!”
Saturated Hip-Hop genre, reason for neglect of Rock music A popular Nigerian Rock Star, Zainab Sule has adduced the neglect of Rock music in the country to the intense widespread of of hip hop songs. The Rock Star said that Nigerians are not looking towards the path of rock music because of the intense widespread and saturation of Hip Hop songs in the country. “Nigerians are neglecting Rock music because they love to dance tu-tu-ke-tu which is HiP Hop oriented, and hence there is need for me to diversify the music industry by taking Nigerians on a different genre of music”. Zainab expressed optimism that the diversification process would be effective by organizing events where precisely rock music dictates the tune. “I hope that shows like Zainab Sule Show will bring exposure because people come out and check it out and get to chill in to buy and listen to the music”. She also said that her album was supposed to be released this year but changed due to timing.
Rahama Sadau, Kannywood actress moves on after MOPPAN ban, unveiled in Nollywood cast of ‘Ajuwaya’
Salam Salam drops new album SENSATIONAL female fuji musician, Alhaja Shakirat Ololade and her Fuji legendary band are set to drop her debut album titled ‘Ore’ (favour) under Lekbat films and music. The Ibadan based fuji artiste album launch party will be featuring top artistes in the country ranging from fuji, juju to hip-hop music.
Speaking to Friday Treat, Salam hinted that her fans are in for a treat like no other stressing that she will be bringing her A game at the album launch. The event is slated for Sunday October 23, 2016 at the Mauve 21 event centre, Ibadan. The event packaged by Highflyers Events.
Mayorkun, Dremo to support D’banj on biggest UK headline tour FOLLOWING the announcement last month that the Koko Master, D’Banj will be returning to the UK this November for his biggest UK nationwide headline tour, and what will be the most explosive and star-studded Afrobeats event of the year, rising stars and Davido protégés Mayorkun and Dremo have also been confirmed to be joining D’Banj on his UK tour. Alongside the previously announced Tekno who will be supporting D’Banj on tour, Mayorkun and Dremo lead the line-up of newly confirmed support artistes for the D’Banj UK tour, which also include UK guest artistes Paigey
Cakey and Ms Banks, as well as Afrobeats sibling trio Shiikane and UKbased Afrobeats newcomer, KC Pozzy, organised by Afrobeat Artistry. As previously announced, D’Banj’s forthcoming UK tour will see the multiple MTV European Music Award, BET Award, World Music Award, and MOBO Award winner headlining at the Manchester Academy on November 11, Birmingham’s Tower Ballroom on November 12, and the Indigo at The 02 in London on November 13, after a four year hiatus from the UK. Easily one of the best and most revered African
live performers, D’Banj promises to not only leave it all on stage every night, but also to deliver a live performance experience that will go down as his best ever, and one of the best live concerts the UK has ever seen. The 2016 D’Banj UK tour is powered by Afrobeat Artistry, and will be hosted by Capital Xtra’s veteran broadcaster Abrantee, with support from Tekno, who will be performing a slew of his recent hits including ‘Duro’ and ‘Pana’, as well as rising stars Mayorkun and Dremo, and the UK’s Paigey Cakey and Ms Banks, among a host of guest stars to be announced.
WHILE Nigerians are still surprised and speaking about the recent ban of popular Kannywood actress, Rahama Sadau, as regards her feature on Classiq’s ‘I love you’, the actress recently spoke about her expulsion from the Hausa film industry. The actress had taken to her Instagram page on October 4, 2016 to share a statement about her ban from the industry by the Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria. In the letter, Sadau apologized to whoever she offended, thanked her fans and admitted MOPPAN’s decision came as a surprise to her. “Following the events of the last few days and MOPPAN’s unilateral decision to exclude me from the Hausa indigenous film industry, known as Kannywood, I would like to use this medium to address my fans, friends, those who have been affected and all who have shown concern. To those who I have offended in any way, shape or form and who I have caused any anxiety by featuring in the said music video, I sincerely apologise. It was a job and I was carrying out my role in my profession, as I would in any other production, be it a Hausa language film or a Nollywood production. However, innocuous touching with other people in my line of work is inevitable. I have lines that I would never cross and indeed I live and stand by the tenets, “actions are judged according to intentions”. The outcome of the events that have taken place has come as a surprise to us all. I may have fallen short of some people’s expectations, but it was never my intention. I make no excuses for my actions and I take full responsibility... I implore us all to be more tolerant and forgiving towards one another and to cease
all the senseless abuse, name-calling and backbiting. This achieves nothing other than to cause a huge divide amongst us. May we all continue to benefit from the Almighty’s mercy and may He protect and guide us all as we go about our daily lives”. Sadau’s expulsion was made public in a statement signed by the Secretary of the Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria, Salisu Mohammed on October 3, 2016. Mohammed also warned other actors to adhere to the rules binding their participation in the Kannywood film industry else face similar punishment. Jos-born artiste, Classiq, responding to the development said he was shocked by the decision of MOPPAN. “I actually asked and begged Rahama Sadau to be part of the video because she is a popular figure in the entertainment industry. I wanted a popular face in the video”, he said. Meanwhile, people have taken to social media to air their views on the issue. Isioma Osagie, Actor, Deyemi Okanlawon, and many other influencial entertainers had spoken against the decision, stressing that the ban was an improper decision. Okanlawon wrote, “Dear fellow actors isn’t Kannywood a part of Nollywood. Shouldn’t we support our own? I have some amazing Muslims in my family, spent time up North and I’m very conscious of the tenets of Islam... seen the music video yet I still don’t understand the ban... Di’ja you’ve said it all. Allah ya tamake mu duka”, he posted alongside the image of the actress. Osagie had also extended a hand of fellowship, requesting that the actress relocate to Nollywood. Sadua is now set to star in a new Nollywood movie ‘Ajuwaya’, from the directors of ‘Couple of Days’.