| I’m crazy about
women –Obesere
By DARE DARAMOLA
Saturday, April
16, 2005
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Obesere
Photos: Sun News Publishing
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Seeing this sleazy singer on stage, the impression one gets
is that he’s vulgar, restless, sneaky and, of course,
an incurable womanizer.
But off stage, he’s as gentle as a dove. He seldom talks,
neither does he leave his home when not on stage. Although
he once had a stint as a boxer and a printer, music to him
is his greatest calling. It is a family inheritance that has
also shot him into prominence.
Welcome to the world of Fuji musician, Abass Akande Adeniyi
(a.k.a Obesere).
I was stubborn at school
Ibadan-born Obesere was brought to Lagos by his mother at
age three. Although his parents got separated about this period,
the separation did not deter him. He attended St Paul’s
Primary School and Jubril Martins Secondary school, both in
Ebute Metta, Lagos. “I was very stubborn in school.
Right from my primary school, I had started singing. I would
gather a few of my mates and we’d be singing in class.
We used chairs and tables for drums and I would lead with
songs. At Jubril Martins, my seniors would call me to come
and sing for them in the company of others. When they got
carried away by our music and songs, I would just find a way
and disappear out of there. That was how ‘Omorapala’
came about. I love commercial subjects in school, but literature
was my best subject. But I was very stubborn’.
Nobody taught me music
“At a point in my school days, I was always going for
boxing training after school hours. It was a very rough experience,
because we were training with concrete blocks. There was this
day that I came back home with swollen hands and my mother
was very unhappy about it. She scolded me and warned that
I should stop. At a point too, I worked in a printing press
for about two years, but I was not really interested. I realized
that music was what I love. So, I abandoned the press and
boxing to concentrate on my musical career. I had no formal
training, it’s just a talent from God. Nobody taught
me how to sing”.
Music runs in the family
Obesere actually comes from a lineage of singers. He is from
the same Alaroro family lineage in Ibadan where Fuji creator,
Alhaji Sikiru Ayinde Barrister is believed to have come from.
Although Barrister doesn’t himself make much reference
to this lineage, Obesere told Saturday Sun that whenever they
get together, Barrister would talk about this and also encourage
him. “In fact, we have a drummer who specialises in
beating the talking drum in the family. He’s called
Alhaji Tatalo Alamu. He’s my uncle.
Interestingly ‘Omorapala’ has two brothers Fatai
Valentine and Asimiyu who are also musicians. But he has told
another younger brother who’s aspiring to go into music
to consider something else for now.
“Musical talent is a family inheritance. My child who’s
abroad has also started singing with a group. He wouldn’t
reveal the sex of the child) but disclosed that the education
of that child is primary in his mind for now.
To sibe
In the early days of his career as commercial musician, Obesere’s
name was synomous with To sibe. It was the title of a live
cassette that would eventually launch him and announce his
arrival on the musical scene.
“My first time in studio was in 1991. Although a live
cassette titled ‘Tosibe’ launched me into the
music sector in 1989/90”, the Fuji exponent confirmed
to Saturday Sun.
Finally, in 1991, Obesere’s first effort titled ‘Introduction’
was released into the market. A year later ‘Mr. Magic’
followed. The albums were produced by Giwa whom Obesere said
also gave him all the encouragement. In 1993 ‘Asakasa’
was released on Sony Music label and was followed by ‘O.B.T.K’
and Mr. ‘Teacher’.
Bye-bye to Sony Music
But the romance with Sony Music soon ran into a rough patch.
“It was royalty palava”, Obesere tried to dismiss
the issue. But whatever it was, it was serious enough to necessitate
his parting ways with the recording company.
According to him, he got little or nothing from Sony Music.
Except for Mr. Teacher that got him N250,000, Obesere claims
he did not get anything by way of royalty. “I cursed
the management of Song Music then that, if they cheat me on
my works, they will not make headway in business. I suspected
that they were not sincere with me, but I left them to God
to also judge”.
Flirting from one record stable to another
“The Sony Music experience was the major cause of my
moving from one recording label to another till date”.
After Sony, Obesrere disclosed that he has had stints with
such labels like Tawakalitu, Leader Records, among others.
“Royalty palaver is the main reason for moving from
one record company to another. Most of the record label owners
are not always sincere when it comes to royalty. They are
always coming up with different stories. Tawa Kalitu Records
was my next record company after my exit from Sony Music.
From there I moved to Leader Records. I had only an album
for Leader. Then I moved to Dudu Heritage, where ‘Overthrow’
and ‘American Faaji’ were released. I’ve
been with Bayowa Music and Records since I left Dudu Heritage”.
Relationship with Bayowa
In his views Bayowa is the current record company owner in
charge of his work. “Bayowa is still paying me my money.
He’s not owing me a kobo. But anytime he tries to be
smart or when he refuses to pay me, I will fight him. To date,
I have such albums as ‘His Excellency’, ‘Egungun
Be Careful’, ‘Apple Juice’, ‘Okokoriko’,
‘Obaadan’ released and marketed by Bayowa.
Inspiration
My inspiration comes in any form. No one taught me. All I
do is sit down, add one and two together. I’m gifted
in all areas as far as music is concerned.
Relationship with other musicians
“I’m like rain. I don’t have enemy -although
musicians don’t like one another. We are like that.
I only know I’m a musician when I’m on stage.
Outside the stage, I’m not the same. I am Abass Akande
Adeniyi. I’m on my own, others are on their own too.
I go to where people don’t want me to go. I do whatever
I feel I should do. I’m not a one-way musician. I am
an entertainer, an all rounder. I’ll sing at naming
ceremony, marriage, burial, corporate concerts etc. All these,
places I sing differently and I follow my mind’s dictates.
Relationship with God
“I am so close to God, what is outside is different
from what’s inside me. God sees my mind. I am a very
clean and transparent person. I always call, talk to God to
do to me the way my mind is. My relationship with God is very
strong. I’m a Muslim, I always pray the Muslim way.
And I also read the Bible. I don’t begrudge people.
I don’t hold malice against people. I’m a plain
person. God made me so”.
I love women
Obesre does not keep all his love for God. Speaking on his
relationship with women, the fuji exponent says:“I must
confess to you that I love women. I love women so much. “In
fact”, he says love would not capture the totality of
his passion for the fairer sex. “I’m crazy about
women”, he submits.
“I praise them in my songs. If you listen very well
to my songs, I don’t abuse them. I appreciate their
potentials. I sing about the way God has endowed them. If
a musician does not embrace women, he’ll not go far.
I like them, they are our mothers”.
He suddenly turns to you and almost in shock that he is even
answering this seemingly stupid question and asks: “But,
why would I not (love women)? My mother is there, I have my
wife, I also have my daughter. And I have sisters, so why
would I not appreciate them. They are very wonderful creatures
of God.
We worship the same God
“Everything is in God’s hands. But I hope to continue
to sing. I’m going to devote more time to God and also
change some of my musical styles. I’m going to sing
some thought-provoking songs this year. Let me also tell you
that I hope to visit Jerusalem (He has since gone and returned)
to pray to God.
I want to do something different. I’m not going to become
a Christian, I mean change my religion, but I want to prove
a point. It’s the same God that we worship, but in different
forms and ways. When I do that, I’ll then plan to go
to Mecca. I don’t follow the crowd, I do my own thing
my own way. I don’t follow the crowd”.
Government should do more
“In spite of President Olusegun Obasanjo’s efforts,
people are still suffering. There is too much suffering in
the land. Poverty is very high, people cannot get food to
eat, there is no money, no good water in a lot of places,
and NEPA is not providing electricity to the people. It is
so sad. Let government provide basic amenities for the Nigerian
people. Jobs should be provided. Government should come out
with policies that will enhance the living standard of the
people so that there will be happiness in the land”.
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