Encomium
– Set to launch double album this weekend
Temitope Aboyade, popularly known as TenTen, is arguably one of the popular juju singer the industry is proud of. Started singing at age seven from a Cherubim and Seraphim Church. Growing up, she led her church’s choir for years before she went professional 15 years ago.
She had performed at top profile events home and abroad with successful two albums entitled Emi ni Alayo and Fulfillment Time.
Right now, she’s set to launch a double album, Progress and Gratitude on Sunday, September 7, 2014, at the Prestige Hall, along Owode Ibeshe Road, Ikorodu, Lagos.
The founder of International Royal Band was in company of her friend, Queen Ayo Balogun at the just concluded ENCOMIUM’s Black and White Ball, where she spoke on preparation for the carnival-like launching, among other mind-boggling issues…
How prepared are you for the launch?
We’re preparing, and we have invited eminent personalities. As we speak, we’ve sent out our aso-ebi to over 200 dignitaries. Among them are Iyalode Adunni Bankola, she’s the chairperson of the day; the owner of Sleep Inn Hotel, Olutayo Adeleke is the Chairman of the day; among others. Artistes expected to perform include Segun Nabi, Lanre Teriba (Atorise), and all Ajumu Lagos State.
You started singing 15 years ago but not much has been heard from you. Where have you been?
I am known by lovers of my genre of music, juju highlife mix with gospel. The fact that the world now adopted hip hop doesn’t mean that there is no other genres of music. Although, you can’t see me performing at any concert or party, I have set a standard for myself and it’s really working for me. I performed together, at different stage, with King Sunny Ade at Governor Fashola’s inauguration day in 2007.
I was part of the artistes that performed for Fashola For 2nd Time, I even did a track for him, among others. My music has taken me out of the country. I travelled to Dublin, London, performing. That’s what I have been doing.
What’s your assessment of the industry now dominated by hip hop?
There is time for everything, and I believe it’s time for hip-hop. After all, there was a time in this country that nobody recognised hip hop the era of highlife, apala, juju music and the rest. Suddenly, everything changed, and Nigerians started dancing to hip hop.
However, the fact that hip hop has dominated doesn’t mean I should change my genre of music. I will continue to sing whether “it’s popular” or not. Besides, Juju is for mature people, not young people.
Would you say your journey into music was by accident?
It wasn’t something I wanted to do. I think, my pastor’s prophesy made me become a musician. When I was young, our pastor at Cherubim and Seraphim Church told my mom that I would become a musician in the future. It was funny when my mom told me, but as I was growing, I discovered my talent.
In fact, I am an expert when it comes to drums, apart from my singing prowess I am blessed with. Although, that didn’t stop me from going to school. I studied Building Tech at Yabatech. I proceeded to Oceanography where I studied Fishery. Today, I am happy being a musician and no regret.
Getting this far wasn’t easy. Tell us challenges?
Challenges too enormous to discuss here. I can say it from now till tomorrow, but I can tell you about my brutal experience. When I started, there was nobody to support me, I struggled hard to raise money from lawful means for the ones I have done, because I didn’t want to be involved in any dirty deal. God has always been on my side, I made it, and today, here I am.
Lessons you have learnt from this challenge?
To be hardworking and rely in God. If there is nobody to help, God will surely do. The challenge has taught me not to loss hope; not to be involved in dirty deals. I have learnt to be prayerful. With God, everything is possible.
-RASHEED ABUBAKAR
