Encomium
ON Sunday, March 23, 2014, veteran juju musician, Admiral Dele Abiodun clocked 66. But the brilliant entertainer didn’t throw a lavish bash, which according to him is a waste of resources.
In this interview with ENCOMIUM Weekly at his Ogba, Ikeja, Lagos residence on Sunday, July 6, 2014, he opened up on many issues, including life at 66 and much more…
It’s long we heard from you, what’s really going on now?
We’re intact, career wise. It’s only that everybody is being cautious. The recording aspect of our career is what’s at the low ebb. Regularly, we’re out there, working. There is no week we don’t go out performing. That’s the only job I do. I have never been a contractor. Definitely, showbiz is my field. That’s what God just gave me free of charge.
But people believe your career has gone moribund, and that you’re no more in town?
No, there is no way they would say that. Maybe because I am not always on the pages of newspapers and magazines, that’s why they think I am no longer active in my career again. I am not the type that runs after publicity. What’s important to me is for my job to be going on fine, and that’s exactly what is happening to me right now. I thank God for that. But if I want to release an album, surely, I will reach out to the press. Not that I am not ready for that but we’re still putting some things together. Anytime I am ready for that, the public will be aware of it via you media guys. Now, I am really working firmly and my business is intact.
Do you believe your kind of music still conforms with the order of the day?
Why not? Every day you listen to new music and embark on personal research concerning your career as a musician. And every time, you try to build into what you hear so that it will suit your fans. So, my music is very much in vogue, and it will forever be relevant as far as the industry is concerned.
But now, some people believe Juju is dead…
(Cuts in quickly) Please, stop saying that. I don’t want to hear that any more. That’s one thing people continue to say. Okay, what’s in vogue? Juju is very much there, Fuji is also in vogue likewise hip-hop.
Maybe with the advent of hip-hop which has almost out-classed traditional music?
No, you can’t compare both. They are different. Juju is a traditional music, and it has been accepted internationally. Hip-hop is hip-hop on its own. It has also been there long ago. Maybe because it’s just the in-thing in Nigeria now. Hip-hop has been there since the days of Michael Jackson. And juju and fuji have their audience as traditional music, hip-hop also has its audience. One thing we just have to do is to ask the younger ones to wake up. If people like us are still in the industry, very relevant, then what are they doing? And the world is about creativity. You must get to be creative. If we say we’re not ready to go, they should be there to say they’re ready to take over. But nobody is doing that. That’s why you see KSA, Chief Ebenezer Obey, myself, Shina Peters, Queen Ayo Balogun and every other person still relevant. So, we’re working.
Where do we see juju in five years?
That’s what we have been saying for the past 20 years. Where do we see juju in five or ten years? Juju will continue to be there and relevant. Juju is different from Fuji and hip-hop. There is no comparison. If any traditional music is going to take over from Juju, we’re yet to see that. And if nobody is coming up to challenge us, that means we will continue to be there.
Now, how often do you get shows and how much do you charge?
I get shows regularly as they come because I don’t have any other business I am doing. I am an entertainer and that’s what is putting food on my table. Then, on the issue of fee, that’s private. It’s between me and my clients. Everybody knows that fingers are not equal which translates to the fact that you can’t charge people uniformly. And it also depends on the type of relationship that exists between me and the person.
But you must have minimum and maximum fees you charge?
I think that’s my business secret. But nowadays, the hip-hop guys have brought something new into the entertainment world. We now count in seven digits (laughs). That’s what I have come to realize now. And if you’re not part of them, that means you’re not there.
Are you saying you’re part of them?
I am a businessman, an entertainer to cry it loud. If I still entertain and I am serious about it, I go out with good equipment and organized band members. So, why shouldn’t I?
As Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN) ex-president, can you tell us about the happenings in the association right now because a lot of people believe that PMAN is dead?
My brother, PMAN is one area I don’t want to touch. Not because of anything, I just want to let the sleeping dog lie. Anyway, I have not heard anything about PMAN for a very long time. I don’t even know who is there now. I don’t know what’s happening in the association again. All I know now is that I am Association of Juju Musicians (AJUM) Board of Trustees member. With that, we’re trying to make sure AJUM become bigger than what it is now. and we’re also trying to ensure that our foundation is solidified.
On March 23, 2014, we learnt you celebrated your 66th birthday, how does it feel?
(Laughs) Anyway, I am climbing the ladder and looking at 70. I am still very agile and strong. Fine, I like to celebrate but celebration to me is a waste of money and time because the time and money you need to do other important things will be thrown into celebration and people will come, eat and go. It’s good to celebrate but you can’t see me going into birthday celebration. I have never staged any elaborate birthday party. The only thing I do is have my family and friends around me, eat and pop champagne. Then, go to church for thanksgiving. I see it as wasteful, doing anything elaborate in the name of birthday.
You haven’t told us what you actually celebrated?
Yes, I think I have marked my 66.
So, how is life at 66 now?
It’s wonderful but the journey couldn’t be said to be that smooth. But I thank God for everything.
What lessons would you say life has taught you?
A lot. If you say you don’t want to learn any lesson, if you’re a musician, you will realize that music is a big teacher. If you’re a good learner and if you take your instruction from music, you can hold on your own anywhere in the world. Music has really taught me to be strong and be independent of myself. Music has also taught me to be myself. I have equally learnt from music that I can’t do it alone but with people. And life generally has taught me not to rely on anybody. And as a son of a teacher, I should know I have to be very careful in the way I deal with people.
What were the wrong steps you took in the past?
Nobody is a saint. Nobody would say he or she has not made any mistake, except God, our Creator. Yes, mistakes might have been made and we were quick to say we must make correction. You learn from your mistakes so that in the near future, when such things are coming, you will know how to tackle them.
Is there any regret being a musician?
How? If I come to this world again, I will still love to be a musician. It has ever been the best profession, which I have ever enjoyed. And whoever wants to know beyond this world should try to be an entertainer. And for you to enjoy the world and thereafter, you must be an entertainer.
Are you saying you’re a fulfilled man at 66 and as an entertainer?
Yes, I am happy and fulfilled. I have no respect, I trained all my children through music. I have done everything I desired to do, all through music. All I wanted from God, including fame, good children, house of my own, car and many more have been granted by Him. I so much thank God for my life, and will forever be grateful to Him.
How many children do you have?
In Africa, we don’t do that. It’s a no-go area. But I give glory to God, I am blessed with men and women, boys and girls
Finance wise, how would you rate yourself?
I don’t need to announce myself inasmuch I can feed myself and my family. And you don’t see me begging anybody, definitely I am fulfilled. That’s why I am working. I don’t see myself as a womanizer, I control myself, my income and resources. I am cautious of how I spend my money. I thank God, I am blessed.
-TADE ASIFAT
