When it comes to consistency in music, Segun Akinlolu aka Beautiful Nubia is one name that comes to mind. Last Sunday, he held a concert that attracted the likes of Pa Chris Ajilo, Benson Idonije, Blackman Akeeb Kareem, Sam Amuka-Pemu (publisher, Vanguard Newspaper), Tony Benson (Bobby Benson’s son) and Ade Bantu. OLUSHOLA RICKETTS spoke with Beautiful Nubia after the gig:
How do you sustain or fund your concerts?
Our concerts are self-sponsored. We are always reaching out to external sponsors, but nothing concrete has come out of those efforts. The main objective is to be able to perform whenever we want and give our audience an opportunity to encounter and enjoy the music more frequently than before.
We also provide opportunities to emerging and upcoming artistes to showcase their talents.
The kind of music I play is very difficult. I think I am lucky that I am a good manager of money and I learnt early in life how to live within my means. I don’t live big and I am always very careful with money.
When we make good money from a show, I reinvest the money in the business. I don’t have any house anywhere in this country; I don’t have any property so to say and I don’t drive expensive vehicle.
Did today’s gig (Sunday) meet your expectation?
I think the concert achieved its aim. We wanted to bring out music fans to enjoy another great evening of relaxation and celebrate the revival of the career of one of Nigeria’s great folk singers, Blackman Akeeb Kareem. The joy on people’s faces at the end is enough evidence that it was a success. We started planning for this from the moment I met Blackman and we somehow got on to the topic of his long overdue comeback. He had been away for several years now, but it was worth the wait.
How were you able to convince Blackman to perform in Nigeria after 33 years?
I sensed his desire for a comeback and knew that I was well placed to make it happen. He didn’t need much persuading – I think he’s at a place where he’s curious to see how much his music still means to people after more than three decades of absence. As you saw today, his music still matters.
The atmosphere was exciting but it can get bigger. How do you intend to draw more audience to your concerts?
Anything can be bigger, faster, higher and so on. But contentment and pacing are important. We are not in a hurry to achieve this or that. Everything that you desire will come in due course if you stay focused and keep doing the necessary and right things. It is not easy to get people to come out and pay for concerts, so we are always glad for the kind of large turnout we have at our shows – high quality people of taste who pay to enjoy rich music.
You were once a vet doctor and weren’t doing badly. Was there no doubt when you wanted to leave your profession?
There was no doubt at all. My first album was released in 1997 and I was still working as a vet. I left paid employment in 2000; it wasn’t a difficult decision at all because it was something I always knew I wanted to do. At the age of 9, I knew I wanted to play music; it was just a question of when I would take the move. By the time I was 19 years old, I had written 500 songs.
You supported the production of Pa Ajilo’s last album. Why the gesture?
My label, EniObanke, produced Baba’s first album in more than 50 years and we have done our best to give his career a second coming. It was something that had to be done and I figured I was in a good position to do it.
What should we expect from this year’s EMUfest?
We started the annual EniObanke Music Festival (EMUfest) to provide a platform for showcasing authentic traditional and contemporary folk and roots music from Nigeria and Africa, and also to provide an avenue for discovering and launching new and emerging talents. Now, in its sixth year, the festival has grown to become a yearly ritual for many fans. We hope to have a big, diverse and rich festival in November. All hands are on deck for that.
Do you plan to release an album soon?
We try to release an album every year or once every two years. Our latest, “Soundbender”, came out in February, but we are already rehearsing towards a new one to be released sometime in 2016.
How would you react to the perception that your music is too traditional or mythical?
Everyone has a right to view my music from any angle and perceive it as they wish. I am the musician, my job is to create and play the music for your enrichment. However you choose to perceive it is your prerogative.
Do you believe in God?
Whatever anyone believes or doesn’t believe is their personal business. As a society, we need to start placing religious beliefs in their proper place so that we don’t keep destroying opportunities for our growth and unity. I always tell people that I don’t discriminate based on religion, gender, face, colour, language, sexual orientation, social class or any other thing. Everyone is welcome to Beautiful Nubia’s world.
It seems you don’t really play at social events…
That is not it; I do play a lot. I am not always in Nigeria, but whenever I am in Nigeria, we are always very busy. People invite us for birthdays, burials, etc and I tour universities a lot. People also invite us for corporate events; it is just that we don’t make noise about it.
What was your growing up like?
I was born and bred in Ibadan, Oyo State. In fact, I spent the first 22 years of my life in Ibadan. Though I spent some years with my grandmother, I grew up mainly with my parents. My father, who is late, had twelve children with four women. My mother had four children for my father.
How about your wife?
She is fine. I am married and I have two children, but I believe every child is mine.
No comments:
Post a Comment