Revealing Nigeria's King of Lewd Music

Tag : Lady Blouse

His middle name should read unpredictable for all the weird andsomewhat comical gear that he comes up with on stage. That QudusAbass Akande, better known as Obesere has the tendency to shock theentertainment world out of its wits is to say the obvious. At onetime, he came on stage wearing a ladys brassiere, with the cupsstuffed. This may be the stuff popularized by village idiots,picking up a few kobos from a bemused audience in the market place.It is this seemingly despised act of the unappreciated comic in thebackwater of the cities that Obesere has elevated to his signatureon the world stage.
There is no way of knowing what he is likely to come up with, eachtime he hits the stage. So you have to come to an Obesere show withan open mind, knowing that it is not a place for unsuspecting youngadults and unsteady housewives.
He does not only hit you with an unashamed stage craft, his lyricsare not the type you sing within earshot of your mother. How didthis erstwhile God-fearing son of a politician who embraced musicearly, earn the crown of the King of Lurid Lyrics? If you are notYoruba, Obesere has enough copious drama in your face; so much thatyou are not left in doubt with the proclivity towards the lewd: Itis in the suggestive, bum shaking, hips grinding dancers who leavelittle to imagination. Not since Fela Anikulapo-Kuti has there beena more explosive music stage craft, dripping with sex. FUNKE OLAODE reports that the essential had to fight for space in Fujidom. Indoing so, he went for the base sentiments in men and women, helpingthem to give expression to their primordial instincts for intimacy.The result was a roaring success with the birth of the phenomenoncalled Obesere.
What are your names? I am Alhaji Qudus Abass Akande, popularlyknown as Obesere. I was born in Ibadan, Oyo State few decades agobut was raised in Lagos. My late father was a politician while mymother was a trader
How did you come about the name Obesere?
Actually, Obesere is a stage name given to me by my playmate whileI was growing up.
What influenced you into music?
Going into the music wasnt accidental because I am from the homeof music. I started this music with my schoolmates when I was inprimary school. By the time I moved to secondary school, I realizedthat music was my calling and I deliberated on it to make it acareer. Although I tried to learn a trade while at school. I wantedto be a printer or electrician. But God had already mapped out Hisown plans for my life.
How did your parents react when you decided to go into music?
My father didnt want me to go into music and at the same timedidnt want me to further my education. But Gods destiny prevailedover human decision because when he later learnt that I was intomusic, and a lot of people appreciated my music, he gave me hissupport. Also, some of my fathers friends persuaded him to supportme. He eventually succumbed to pressures and gave his blessings.
When did you hit the limelight?
Like I said earlier, it was a childs play when I started inprimary school, but I came out fully in 1989/90 with an ordinarylive cassette.
What is your kind of music?
I sing fuji but I always let people know that I am a professional,dynamic and versatile artiste. I sing juju, I sing fuji, I singhighlife and hiphop.
Why have you gone back on exposition of lurid lyrics (Asakasa).Dont you think that what your fans want to hear?
I thank God today because in whatever profession you are doing, youmust have a particular thing that would single or launch you out.It is true that those lurid lyrics asakasa is synonymous with myname and that was what brought me to the limelight. Alhaji SikiruAyinde Barrister and Alhaji Ayinla Kollington have composed a lotof fuji lyrics. It is not only asakasa that I can sing. I just feltI should introduce something new into fuji music so that peoplewill see me in a unique way.
There is usually competition in the entertainment industry andevery artiste has his/her own fans. My fans want to hear somethingnew and I decided to deviate a little bit. I still enjoy a largefollowership.
Who would you say discovered the fuji genre?
All I know is that when it comes to fuji music, and people say,Abass, bow for your elders, I know they are talking founders offuji music, which we are all singing today. They are Alhaji SikiruAyinde Barrister and Alhaji Ayinla Kollington.
There was a score to settle between KWAM 1 and yourself. Has thisbeen setted?
Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde and I are still friends and there is nofriction between us. We met few weeks ago at an event organised bya Lagos based soft sell magazine to celebrate the 60th birthdayanniversary of Alhaji Ayinde Barrister. We greeted and embracedeach other. My sister, I dont have any grudges against himanymore. It is the fans that are creating a lot of problems.
Was there any truth in the rumour that you were arrested in Londonin 2005 for carrying drugs and for money laundering, for which youalleged that KWAM I was behind your travail?
Im hearing this for the first time. I am not aware of such claims.Whatever we must have had in the past in the profession is normal.We are not the first artistes to have a feud. Look at the top ratedartistes and the so called godfathers in the industry, they havetheir differences. I have never been arrested for drugs or moneylaundering. I have a very clean record both home and abroad. I amone of the first set of fuji artistes that had a breakthrough atthe international level. I was the first Nigerian fuji artiste(sic) to go to America, the first Nigerian artiste to go to SouthAfrica. I was the first Nigerian artiste to have a break through inDubai. Today, a lot of other artistes are going there.
You are also reputed to be the first male artiste to put on ladysblouse on stage?
(Laughs). I am a very creative and versatile artiste. I used to puton ladys blouse on stage then and not anymore. Whatever I do, Ilike to create an identity. And anytime I am sitting down, I alwaysthink of what I can do to touch the live of people, what can I doto make a change in the society, what I can do to carve a nichefor myself. My profession as a musician is very competitive. Idont want people to see me like any other artiste. I want peopleto see a paramount king of music that is different in all way. Ihave a lot of female fans and I see it as a way of creating anidentity for myself. Right now, I have a lot of projects on ground.There is a beauty pageant that addresses the issue of womenempowerment. It is coming up very soon. I have a football team(Obesere Football Club) registered by the Nigerian FootballAssociation (NFA). When Nigerian team were in Ghana my club wasalso in Ghana too and also trained in the same pitch where theNigerian team was trained. I dont want it to be said of me that Iexploited Nigerian youths without giving something back to society.With every sense of modesty, I can say that I am looking beyondmusic. I see myself as an investor. I always think about what to doto help the less privileged.
When exactly was your biggest breakthrough?
It was when I went to the United States of America in 1994. As atthe time I went, there were a lot of musicians jostling forattention of music promoters. But my breakthrough to the Gods OwnCountry just came successfully without stress. I had about threepromoters struggling to have me. I eventually pitched my tent withJulius Omotajo. Sincerely, it was my biggest breakthrough in termsof cash, fame and achievement. My breakthrough in the States hasalso opened a lot of doors for several musicians in Nigeria.
You are perhaps, the only musician in Nigeria that wears a weddingband. Why is that?
I thank you for that compliment. I am happily married and I liveunder the same roof with my wife. So I am ready to flaunt my ringanywhere.
Music and women are interwoven. How do you ward off femaleadmirers?
I will let the women realise that I appreciate them, that theydeserve a lot of respect from not only me but all men. And I thinkmen dont have to run after everything in skirts. You can relatewith them without having anything amorous to do with them. You canbe acquainted with them, they can be your companion and yourfriend. That doesnt mean you have to sleep with every woman.
How did you meet your wife?
I met my beautiful wife, Mrs. Tola Qudus Akande Obesere, a graduateof the University of Ibadan in England. You know I am somebody with good taste. I cant just go out with any lady. It was love atfirst sight the day I met my wife at a supermarket in England. WhenI saw her I knew she was going to be my wife. I approached her andtook her number. Initially, she didnt know I was Obesere and bythe time she found out she was surprised. That was how we startedand eventually got married. I am a very lucky man to have met herand I am happy that she didnt marry me because of my name.
Do you feel intimidated with your wifes educational background?
I have never felt intimidated because I went to school up tosecondary level before I decided to embrace music. I can never bemoved by my wifes academic credential. I have confidence andprofessionally I am not doing badly. Dont forget my wife is a veryhumble and homely woman.
You are a musician and also a Moslem. Are there chances of youtaking another wife?
I dont have such plan in mind and I can never be tempted. I amcontented with my beautiful and supportive wife. You know one wifeis eight problems, two wives 16 problems and it goes on like that.By the special grace of God I am satisfied with only one wife.
Looking at you as a person I am sure Obesere on stage is differentfrom Obesere at home. How do you strike the balance?
Yes it is through that I have two identities when you see me onstage you are seeing Obesere and when you see me off stage you areseeing Abass Akande Adeniyi. While I am on stage I can do whateverI like to satisfy my fans. I can sing what my fans want to hear.And immediately I leave the stage I am a complete gentleman,reliable and responsible family man.
You said you can do whatever you like on stage. And sometimes youcan be wild?
Like I said earlier, I am a very versatile artiste. I dont drinknor smoke. My inspiration comes when I see my fans and crowd. I canbe wild on stage to satisfy my fans and at the same time that iswhat puts food on my table. I have been in this industry in thelast 25 years, it has to do with my trust in God and hard work thathas taken me this far and I am still forging ahead.
What are your likes?
I dont have to drink or smoke or even womanize before I enjoy mylife. I love automobile and property. I have Obesere Housing Estatein Ikorodu and Agbara in Ogun State. That is where I invest mymoney.
How rich are you then?
All the riches of this world belong to God. I am not rich butcomfortable and contented.
Outside music how do you relax?
Do I relax? When I am in Nigeria I perform four times in a week. Ilike granting press interviews, and occasionally I go to movielocations. And if I want to rest, I can pick my ticket and travelto any part of the world.
Any advise for the upcoming artistes?
My advice for them is that they shouldnt get discouraged inwhatever they are doing. They should be prayerful and be original.You know before I came on board there were a lot of artistes onground. I came to the industry and distinguished myself among mypeers. So, originality is the most important. If you are original; be consistent with one you are doing. Whatever the criticism,whatever anybody says just be consistent and it will surely pay offone day.