Islamic Music Star, Ere Asalatu Speaks
Like a heavy rain unheralded by a cloudy sky, his emergence
on the music scene sometime in 2008, caught most music lovers unaware. The
release then of his first musical effort titled: “Ere Asalatu” caused some
positive confusions. Sounding very much like Tungba Gospel Music creator, Yinka
Ayefele in tone, tune and beat of his music, but singing Islamic gospel music,
many began to imagine if Yinka Ayefele had converted to Islam. But a more
painstaking enquiry revealed the artiste behind the new dimension in Islamic
music as Abdul-Kabir Bukola Alayande, who has apart from adopting the title of
the said first album as a stage-name today, has also become an Alhaji with even
a reference of Dr. added to his titles. By not resting on his oars, Ere Asalatu
has remained a force to reckon with in his genre of music since bursting into
limelight and has also won the award of Best Islamic Artiste in Nigeria amongst
several others internationally. In this interview with SAHEED OJUBANIRE ONLINE,
he spoke on issues regarding the Islamic music industry, his experience, source
of inspiration, innovations and more. Excerpts:
Q: Of recent, Islamic artistes are fond of producing more
joint albums than individual albums, is joint album now more profitable than
individual album?
No. Producing joint albums is not in any way more profitable
than producing individual albums but we are doing it because that seems to be
what our fans and listeners prefer for now. As a matter of fact, what we are
paid for partaking in joint albums is not up to one quarter of what we get for
producing our individual albums. However, joint albums sell far more at the
moment than individual albums of many of my colleagues. And again, there has
been more ample ground to pass more messages with the joint albums better than
in the individual albums. Mind you, I pass as much messages in my personal
albums as I pass in the joint albums but that does not apply to every Islamic
artiste. So, the collaborations take more painstaking measures in terms of the
messages being passed across, no matter the artistes involved. But in terms of
profitability, individual album is more profitable than the joint album for the
artiste.
Q: A section of Islamic artistes are of the opinion that the
up and coming artistes need the joint albums to be popular by featuring already
established stars in the albums. But for someone like you who became popular
with a solo effort, how would you react to the assertion that joint albums are
needed to make some artistes popular?
No, I disagree with that school of thought. The truth is we
have all been destined to become popular as artistes in different ways, whether
with a solo or a joint album. Besides, at the time I burst into the limelight
with my first album titled “Ere Asalatu”, joint album was not yet in vogue by
Islamic artistes. Although, the Fuji and Hip hop artistes were already doing it
but it was still alien to Islamic music then. However, I still don’t want to
reckon that collaboration has the magic wand of making an artiste popular. As a
matter of fact, there is a good number of artistes in our industry who have
featured in so many collaborations but yet, they are not popular. So, it is
only Almighty God who determines who He wants to make popular or not. It is not
about how talented, beautiful or handsome an artiste is, but just by God’s
grace. It is just like the law of nature; it takes one blessed sperm out of
multitude to make a baby.
Q: Are there measures the association of Islamic artistes is
taking to regulate the production of the joint albums so that they don’t become
too excessive in the market?
Well, there has not been any regulatory measure taken so far
but there are steps about to be taken to control outflow of joint albums to
curb its excessiveness. And again, some of our people don’t know what they are
doing, they are just doing it. And they will still be happy and be laughing
about it. I know the body of Islamic artistes would soon be setting up a
committee to look into regulating joint albums.
Q: If you are to compare Islamic music with other genre of
music, where will you place it?
Islamic music is number one.
Q: Why do you have that conviction?
Yes, Islamic music is number one. And that is because you’ll
only find Islamic music in only godly places. And whoever is seen in a godly
place is number one as far as I’m concerned. We may not be as rich as those in
other genre of music but we are not lagging behind. Besides, money is not the
only measure of success. I can bet it that people buy more of our albums than
others and we are living good lives like others in other genre of music too.
Q: Is there an album you have just released or still working
on?
Yes. I have just released two albums and there is one about
to be released. One of the newly released albums is “Ore Gbankogbi” and the
other is Video CD of a previous album “American Secret”. And the one I’m
walking on is titled “Reality” which would be coming out soon.
Q: What gives you inspiration to compose?
There is nothing in specific. When I am happy, I get
inspiration from happiness and if it is otherwise, I get inspiration from it.
My inspiration comes from my mood or what I see around me. Especially, things
that are unusual.
Q: You are also known as “Innovator” in Islamic music, what
are some of the innovations you brought into your genre of music?
If you look at Islamic music, you’ll know that my style is
very different from others. My style incorporates High life, Juju and the rest
of it, it is very dynamic. And that is the innovation. My dress sense is also
different, my thinking is different, my composition is different and my
delivery is quite different. And the environment you’ll find me is also
different. That is the reason I was given the appellation “Innovator” in
London.
Q: What kind of relationship exists between you and other
Islamic artistes?
There is a very cordial relationship between me and all my
colleagues, both males and females in the industry.
Q: Is there any unforgettable experience you have had as an
Islamic artiste?
Yes, there are so many. But I don’t want to start mentioning
them so that they would not be misunderstood by some people. May Almighty Allah
continue to protect us all.
Q: How would you react to the assertion that Islamic
artistes are not in true cordial relationship with one another?
Thank you. That is only a fake rumour; for one, I have a
cordial relationship with all my colleagues and I believe that is the way it is
with every one of us.
Q: As an Islamic artiste who has performed into both London
and America, how acceptable would you say Islamic music is out there?
Islamic music is very well accepted by Nigerians abroad and
some other black people like us, both in London and America. Even, some white
people dance to the melody of my music; after all, music is a universal
language.
Q: Apart from being an artiste, you are also a music
producer. Which are you more comfortable with?
I am very comfortable with both. Even at times, I feel like
inviting someone to come and produce for me when I’m recording my album because
two heads are always better than one.
Q: Finally, what is your message for your teeming fans home
and abroad?
My message is that they should always be of good characters
so that good things would always locate us. There is a lot of good in being
good. And I want them to know that I love them all.
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