Encomium
ADOL is an amazing artist who had shown interest in music from childhood. He was in musical limbo until he met Toni Payne who facilitated his first album of 13 tracks which has the hit track Orin, launched on Saturday, March 19, 2011, at Crescendo Club, Oduduwa Crescent, Ikeja GRA, Lagos.
ENCOMIUM Weekly had an interview with him and he disclosed to us how music really started for him, how he met Toni Payne and his collaboration with other artists and many more.
Let us meet you.
My name is Solomon Adewole, a.k.a Adol Ajikogbaorin.
How did you start your music career?
I started when I was in primary school. I always listened to music and I sang along with the artist on air. In 2000, I decided to form a group called Images and in 2006, I went solo so that I could attend to other things. But in 2008, I won the City People Music Talent Hunt Show and that was the beginning of a new era for me and I’m happy that since then, I have been working very hard to make a statement and be relevant.
Tell us your relationship with Toni Payne, your manager.
She is my manager, I am under her concept and she is my big sister. I met her early last year during a magazine launch which I can’t remember now. After my performance at the event, she told me that she was interested in me and wants us to work together. That was how I got her contact and since then, she has been managing me.
What have been the challenges since you started your music career?
Money has been my greatest challenge. I have been bedevilled with financial challenges. Also artist management is another big challenge. There is no trustworthy manager who you can lean on at the time of distress. When it comes to music, I have always been accepted since my childhood. So, I really thank God for my music career.
When fame comes your way, how do you intend to handle it?
I would be myself and I pray that God should help me because without Him, I would be nothing. Every time I pray to God to give me fame, I always pray for a humble spirit to be able to handle it. I don’t want to go astray because of fame. I pray for divine direction.
Tell us your collaboration with other artists most especially MI and Fragrance?
I featured MI in my album and he could attest that it was a really good work. I sing good songs that attract other artists. I am always ready to accommodate other artists that love good music.
Piracy is one of the major problems facing the entertainment industry in Nigeria, how do you intend to handle it?
I am still very fresh in the industry. I am yet to experience anything like that. My first album just got to the market some weeks back, but I have heard a lot about piracy in the industry and I pray God should assist me in fighting it.
So, how do you feel launching your first album today?
I feel happy. I am the happiest man in the world at the moment because everything I have been praying for are coming to pass. So, I really thank God for that.
What are your expectations in the next couple of years?
I want to be everywhere, I want to be a mega star. I want to affect people positively with my music, touch lives by singing songs of hope for people that are hopeless.
Finally, tell us your style of music.
I do secular, gospel, inspirational and all other kinds of music. I try to do music that would affect lives positively.
How many tracks do you have in the album?
I have 13 tracks. I featured MI and Fragrance in two of the tracks.
- This story was first published in ENCOMIUM Weekly on Tuesday, March 29, 2011
