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MUKA RAY denies quarreling with IYABO OJO + ‘My Nmulti-million Ikorodu hotel is nearing completion

STAR actor cum musician, Alhaji Mukadas Eyiwumi, famously addressed as Muka Ray, has rubbished the tale that he is involved in a rancor with popular actress and entrepreneur, Iyabo Ooj. He described the tale as nothing but a mere rumour.

He said this and much more when ENCOMIUM Weekly cornered him at an event in Ikeja, Lagos on Sunday, August 30, 2015.

 

It’s long we had a chat with you, what’s the latest concerning your career?

A lot of things are new in my career at the moment. But as it is right now in the industry, the name Muka Ray has been ringing for over 30 years. That translates to the fact that I am also an elder in the industry, without being immodest. When I say elder, that doesn’t mean I am that old, I still have those that are our elders in the industry in terms of age and everything. But as far as the industry is concerned, I am not a small boy again. And that’s why I need to take my time in doing anything I want to do. I can’t just feature in any how movie again. I must be selective now, unlike before. It’s God that has placed me where I am today and I must do everything to sustain that. So, what’s really new about me is that, I am taking things easy this time around.

Iyabo Ojo
Iyabo Ojo

Is that the reason you don’t feature in some movies again?

Not really, I still feature in some movies that are standard. I featured in countless movies but now I need to take things easy and be praying for more of God’s blessings. I can’t be running up and down for worthless movies. And if you decide to shoot a standard movie, you can’t even recoup the money invested let alone make any profit. So, one needs to be very careful. All I am praying for is for me to be forever recognized in the industry.

But the public assessment of most of the movies coming out from the industry at the moment is that they are sub-standard and that’s why they’re not selling. What’s your reaction to this?

For real, if we look at the industry critically, there are some movies that are sub-standard. But as for me, there was no movie I had shot that wasn’t the talk of the town. However, you will also agree with me that everything is going digital now in the entertainment industry and the movie sector is not left out. In the area of sub-standard production, we’re trying to address the issue in our new association, that’s Theatre and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPPAN). We have different guilds in the association, including Guild of Actors, Guild of Producers, Guild of Directors and others to enable us know who handles what in the industry. Not just anybody can say he or she is a producer. We will soon start the screening in Ibadan, Oyo State. If you want to be a producer, you must know what it takes to be a producer. By the time we correct all the anormalies in the industry, I can assure our fans there won’t be anything like sub-standard movie again.

Then, it’s also believed that piracy is a major factor militating against the success of the industry, what’s your comment on this?

I have always said it, everything is being digitalized. There was a time we had Mercedes 230, now if you go to Germany, you can’t find Mercedes 230 again. Even the manufacturers of Mercedes are regretting because then some people bought Mercedes Benz and used it for like 20 years. Now, movie has reached a digital level too. So, we must be very careful. Piracy or no piracy, either we like it or not, so far movie has gone digital, we must not be expecting much profit from the sales of hard copies again. Even there is piracy on those released on Youtube. And all these did not exist when movie was movie, I am talking about some years back when the industry was very buoyant. But now, movie has gone digital.

People may decide not to keep a lot of CDs or DVDs again so far they can subscribe and watch it on Youtube and other digital platforms. So, how would the sales of hard copies be encouraged? The only advice I can give those producing solid movies is that they shouldn’t rely on this level of marketing we’re used to. If musicians can have their songs fetch them money via digital, I don’t see any reason people can’t watch our own movies too online. It’s just a matter of subscribing for the movie you like by paying a particular amount via network. Before you know it we will be making very big profit from our efforts instead of some people sitting down in one corner expecting that Muka Ray will soon release a movie so that they can pirate it. If I can shoot one solid movie and lovers of the movie can be subscribing online to watch it, I tell you I may not shoot any movie until like after five years. I would have made a lot of profit from that one.

The public impression is that most of you in the industry live fake lifestyle. What’s your reaction to this?

I can’t speak for others but a lot of people know that I, Muka Ray, doesn’t and will never do that. Those who do that are preventing people from assisting them. It’s like hiding one’s broken hand. I don’t do that and I will never indulge in such.

But why are you actors not as rich as your female counterparts?

You can’t compare actresses with us when it comes to that. A lot of our women are into so many businesses and they are making money. Although, we men are also engaged in businesses but you can’t compare ours with theirs because support comes for women right, left and centre. But for men, it’s not very easy to get someone to assist you. We always and solely rely on God for any assistance. But Alhamdullilahi, God has really blessed my career. And I can say emphatically that I am one of the greatest achievers in the industry at the moment.

What are you working on now?

I am planning to shoot my first traditional movie outside the country. I am working towards shooting in South Carolina in the United States of America. There is a place called Oyo Kingdom. That’s where I am planning to shoot the movie. And it’s going to be a bang. But I am currently on a project, immediately I am through with that, I will travel to the US for the movie.

It seems your music career has lied low, what’s really happening?

No, nothing has happened to my music career. It’s moving on fine. I go to shows and concerts and I am making my money.

We learnt you have disposed your Toyota Avalon, what happened? Does it mean you’re broke?

It’s true I have sold my Toyota Avalon, but that doesn’t mean I am broke. You can sell your car and buy another one. There is nothing bad in that. I sold my Toyota Avalon to acquire Lexus jeep. I even have about four cars in my garage. You just need to upgrade because of your job so that people will not be thinking you’re on one spot. You also agree with me that no matter how much I might have sold my Toyota Avalon, you referred to, it can’t be enough to buy a Lexus jeep.

We also learnt you’re building a multi-million naira hotel in Ikorodu. How true is it?

It’s true. And by the grace of God, before the end of this year, it will be ready.

What’s the worth of the hotel?

It’s worth millions of naira.

And your source of income is only entertainment?

Yes, of course. I have no other business I do other than entertainment.

A lot of people are saying you and Iyabo Ojo are not in good terms, what is the true situation of things between both of you at the moment?

It’s a lie, we’re in good terms.

But we also learnt you always snub each other when you meet at events…

(Cuts in) Nothing could have informed that. I and Iyabo have no reason to quarrel. She is like a younger sister to me. She remains my friend and business partner. It’s just that sometimes, I may be busy and she may as well be busy at her own end. And when people don’t see us together, they will start reading meanings to it. Everything is just a rumour.

Encomium

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