By Tony Ogaga
Musical Taliban, Oritsefemi Ekele Majemite aka Oritsefemi on November 1 will release his sixth studio album, a 20 tracker entitled Corporate Miscreants which comes with a bonus track. Just back from his European tour, Oritsefemi opens up on his new album and why he is determined to give the best to his daughters.
Excerpts:
You are releasing an album on November 1 entitled Corporate Miscreants, why that title?
It is all about the times. It is the new slogan in town because it is happening right now all over the world. The corporate miscreant is that privileged person who has an opportunity to turn things around but misuses it. It is all about the misuse and abuse of office and responsibility. Old men abusing under age children are corporate miscreatants, politicians and businessmen that abuse their privileged positions are corporate miscreants. We have 20 plus one bonus track on the album. This album is on point. Double Wahala was a stepping stone. This is the next level. Watch out for Eyo, Happy Day, Ile Aye and Ogba La Ra Mi, a party banger!
Are you dedicating any song to your father who died just when the ‘sun’ just started shining on you?
That is in the pipeline. His memory is very special. My dad is my role model. He always wanted me to be a good person so I feel so bad he isn’t alive to see what I have become today. At the beginning he doubted me and did not believe that I will make money from music. At some point he did turn around but when nothing was happening he complained. He said ‘son, I have given you the go-ahead but I am not seeing the light, you need to convince me.’ All of a sudden things started happening and the light was shining and he died before I could do anything for him.
A while ago you recorded a song, Igbe Iyawo, When are you going to get married?
Marriage is not something that you just rush into. It comes with its challenges. If a guy is not 100 per cent okay and jumps into marriage he might have problems. As a man you have to be 100 per cent okay. I am not saying that you must have all the money in the world. Women will always flock around you as a young man if have money but the ladies also want to see enterprising youths all the time.
But you are very enterprising?
Yes, thanks.
So could the problem be that you have so many women around you so you are confused and don’t know which one to pick?
(Laughter) The truth honestly is that I am taking my time. That is why I say Igbe Iyawo ogba gudu gudu (it takes a lot to marry a woman). You must balance your matrimonial home and your hustle. Aside the money, it comes with a lot of responsibility. Some couples in marriages complain about satisfaction and I am like why this complains? It is not this same marriage that you started with a lot of romance and passion? Why have you stopped being romantic and passionate towards your partner? Life also changes. You as a man, the ability to always meet up with your responsibility is very important. Sometimes, things might not work out well. Whether you like it or not, a lady wants a guy who is always on point and if you are not on point they will stop loving you. You as a woman you must always take care of yourself or your man will leave you for another woman so you must make up your mind and hang in there for better worse. As a man you must not say that because your worst has happened you will now relent, you must keep trying. Marriage is like something a competition between you and your wife. Both of you are running the race. If it is good for you it is good for her and vice versa. If one problem should occur, remember, you are both fighting the whole world. There is a lot of responsibility on my shoulder. I have millions of fans who look up to me. What if I get married today and two days later the marriage is all over? All those looking up to me will not want to marry again. I don’t want to be a bad role model.
You have two beautiful daughters, what do they mean to you?
My daughters mean the world to me. I gave birth to them when I had nothing in my account and was barely able to feed. We were living hand to mouth. Today, when people see me with them they are surprised because they don’t know about them. I gave birth to them in Ajegunle when there was nothing and Indomie and tea was their continental breakfast but now I am spoiling them. One is 13 and the other is 11. Their names are Patience Alero Ekele Majemite and Esther Origomisama Ekeke Majemite. I don’t miss their visiting days in school.
Did you ever believe that you will be this big one day?
If I tell you that I knew that I would be this big I would be lying. My story is peculiar. I have moved from one jungle to the other and survived. Ask those who know how I have lived my life. They know that I know I did not know that I will get to this level and that is why I always thank God and put him first. I am a street boy to the core but God has elevated me. It is not because of my talent or understanding but God’s favour.
