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‘Why I parted ways with id dread’- Tjblinks

His real name is Daramola Olatunji but he’s popularly addressed as Tjblinks. Since he started out years back as a hip hop artiste, he has not looked back. He was once with a group called Pleasant but in 2010, he called it quits with his partner in the group, ID Dread as a result of irreconcilable differences.

In this chat with ENCOMIUM Weekly on Thursday, June 25, 2015, the Ekiti born singer opened up on issues revolving around his career, including his new single, Okiki Akan…

For how long have you been in the entertainment Industry?

Professionally speaking, I have been in the entertainment industry for seven years, when the likes of Terry G started, Biggiano, and Klever J. My first hit came into limelight which we know as Mega City and it was dedicated to Lagos state government. At that point, it was a joint effort with the duo called I.D Dread with a group, PLEASANT. In 2010, I went solo as a result of discrepancy between myself and my partner, ID Dread.

Can you lay more emphasis on the reason you went solo?

I am much into a spiritual and reality kind of music but my partner does more of full time hip hop music which is affecting a huge part of my life and my career.

Some years back, I watched some of your videos and listened to a lot of your songs which are lovely to my sight and hearing. Can you tell your fans about those songs and the inspiration behind them?

After going solo, I dropped a hit song entitled Ori (My destiny) featuring a top most Nigerian gospel artiste, King Femi Opalemo. It was aired on major Nigerian TV stations, even in the United Kingdom.

And the feedbacks from my fans propelled me to give them the best at all time. After that hit song, I dropped another hit tradition inclined song which spoke more of our cultural heritage.

It was entitled OMO IBILE featuring the gifted cultural exposed icon known as Baba Nee a.k.a Omo Ghetto, Omo Ibile.

It was a fantastic cultural song which won several awards for me in my school and the community at large. “ORI” which I featured from Opalemo came out in 2011, and Omo Ibile featuring Baba Nee came out in 2013.

When should your fans be expecting another album?

Apologies to my fans, because I have been getting a lot of phone calls and text messages, asking when my next album will be out. The late turn out is due to much personal proceedings.

For instance, I just concluded my academic programme, and I am about launching a multimillion naira mega studio with the support of my big influential fans, who have played a lot of roles in my career both financially and morally.

Now, my new single hit is Okiki Akan (My Glory will shine) and it will be officially launched with my studio by November or December 2015.

We heard about your Dubai tour last year, can you tell us reasons behind the tour?

Dubai tour was a dream come true. It was a tour I never planned. But calls kept coming from my fan over there to come and perform for them, and that was all. This year, I have been to some African countries briefly like Rwanda, Ghana, Benin Republic, etc.

I love your stage performances, what are the secret behind the motivational vices attached to it?

The simple motivation is seeing crowd and my fans waiting to listen to my song.

Your look is now more mature compared to when you started.

Actually, people talk about it a lot, but the real fact is that I am now into modeling as well. I have modelled for Lampost Events, 141, Bert Production, Negro Production, etc, which has given me a first class experience of the entertainment industry.

What advice can you give to the upcoming artistes?

It is so simple. They should not give up, need to be determined and never give up.

-TADE ASIFAT

Encomium

Written by Encomium

A media, tech and events company.

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