Top fuji musician, Abass Akande Obesere, who performed at this year’s Olokun Festival organised by the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), speaks about the event, his new project and other issues
Q: Are you a member of Oodua People’s Congress?
A: No, not really.
Q: Why do you perform at the Olokun Festival virtually every year?
A: It is because of the love the organisation and its leader have for me and my band. So, if you say I am an OPC member, I am one.
Q: People refer to you as a god, I mean Oosa, are you one?
A: Any one created by God and loved by people is a god. You know I come from an Egungun family, I mean my descendants are Egungun worshippers. I am from the Jalaruru family, but now, I am a born-again Muslim.
Q: But as a Muslim, why do you play at an OPC-organised event?
A: God is a lover of culture because He created all good things. We cannot rubbish our tradition because of religion.
Q: Are you fetish?
A: I don’t know anything about that, but if I see someone that can take me to a native doctor, I don’t mind. Can you take me to one?
Q: What are you working on for now?
A: I am working on a double album titled Ologbojo and Hitech. Also, I am working on a hip-hop album, which will be released in December.
Q: Have you now joined the bandwagon of fuji artistes who are into hip-hop music?
A: As a professional musician, I can play any brand of music. So, I am not joining the bandwagon.
Q: There is a controversy of kingship in fuji music and you call yourself Paramount King of fuji, how did you come about the title?
A: The title was given to me by a media organisation named Pinade International Media. I was installed by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi.
Q: Who is the real fuji king?
A: There are kings and there are kings, but I am the paramount king of fuji. As far as I am concerned, King Sunny Ade, Alhaji Siriku Ayinde Barrister and Alhaji Ayinde Kolington, are our leaders. But anyone can call himself/herself king. As for me, I did not install myself, I am paramount king of fuji and nobody can take that from me.
Q: Are you satisfied with the present level of fuji music?
A: Yes, lots of musicians are playing fuji music, Gongo Aso is fuji and so many others like that.
Q: What is the problem with the music industry?
A: Pirates are the enemy of musicians and by God’s grace we will crush them.
Q: Have you really made money from music or your other investments?
A: Me, Abass Akande Obesere, I am not rich and I am not poor. I have made money from music.
