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Alariwo launches new album, Back on Track on June 17

ALARIWO of Africa is in the news again.  This time no palaver. Come Sunday, June 17, 2012, at the popular Niteshift Coliseum, Opebi, Lagos, the fair-skinned dancehall lyricist will put himself back on track with his 15-tracker album entitled, Back on Track.  In this chat with ENCOMIUM Weekly, Alariwo made it point blank that if being straight forward and blunt means arrogance, then he is arrogant and much more.

 

What has been happening to Alariwo of Africa in recent times?

I have been working on my album, I run an entertainment consultancy company.  I am into artist management, that’s the reason I have been away for a while.

What’s the title of the album?

Back on Track.

How many tracks do you have in it?

Fourteen, but people insisted that I should add one of my old songs and that made it 15.

Mention few artist you featured on the album?

I featured Sunny Neji, 9ice, Lord of Ajasa, Yinka Ayefele, Yinka Davies, Waje and Dr. Frabz.

What gave you the inspiration to put this album together?

God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.  He is the one who gives inspiration.

Your fans are not really feeling you music wise, what is your take?

I am a broadcaster, I cannot concentrate only on music, I do other things.  I am educated enough to be a journalist, I resigned from Eko FM in 2004, I MC events and I do them well.  So, it doesn’t matter if I haven’t been singing, my album is not for everybody to like.

How much did the album gulp?

I can’t say exactly, but I have my studio in my house.  I just tell the producers to come to my house and that’s all. I tell them what I want.

What should your fans be expecting from your album?

Creativity, maturity, originality and not stupidity.

What do you think about the Nigerian music industry?

It’s growing but people are doing things that should not be done. It’s not about making money, it’s about making sense.  What is annoying is that the younger ones do not regard (we) the elder ones that have been here for so long.  They are singing rubbish and smiling to the bank.  In 10 years, we would know who the entertainers are and who the musicians are.

A lot of people say Alariwo is a snub, what do you have to say about it?

I have been told a lot, if being straight forward and blunt means been arrogant then I am arrogant.  I do not care about anybody, what is black is black.  I remember when I was begging for money for late Steve Kadri, all the workers of Daar Communication saw it, so I do not care at all.

Tell us your expectations from the album launch.

The venue, Niteshift Coliseum was given to me by my godfather, I did not pay anything for it.  It’s on June 17, I am expecting a lot of people and all the comedians have indicated that they want to come and support me.

  • TOSIN ODUMOSU

*This story was first published in ENCOMIUM Weekly on Tuesday, June 17, 2012

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