After reading through this interview that King of Music, Alhaji Saidi Akorede, better known as Osupa,
had with Encomium, we couldn’t help but marvel at his humility.
He opened up on why he acquired land for his band members. He also
spoke on his endorsement deal as Glo ambassador and much more…see excerpts:
What’s happening right now from the stable of King Saheed Osupa?
Really, there is nothing much. But at the moment, we’re embarking on
few things to boost our image. Just about two months ago, I went to
Cairo, Egypt. Also, I was on a trip to Malaysia about a month back and
South Africa about three weeks back. All on musical tour. I was even
supposed to be in the UK last week but due to one reason or the other, I
couldn’t. So, these and few other steps I have taken in recent times to
forge ahead in my career, and I thank God for that.
We learnt you have been working on your new album for more than a year, but it’s yet to see the light of the day. Why?
Yes, we’re supposed to have released the album, Tested and Trusted
about a year ago. But the marketer, Afeezco said he wanted it to be
3-in-1 album, instead of the 2-in-1 we earlier planned. So, there had to
be a slight modification in the title and everything. Now, it’s Tested,
Trusted and Guaranteed, instead of Tested and Trusted. We have
completed everything now, and by the special grace of God, it will be
released in December, 2014.
How would you describe your recent musical tours, compared to the previous ones?
It was a fantastic and exciting experience. I would say it’s by far
better than all the musical tours I had ever embarked upon. I enjoyed
warm reception all over. I was so happy and excited about it. I give God
the glory.
A lot of your fans have been expecting another hit that will
throw jibes at your perceived rivals in the industry. But it seems
you’re taking things easy this time around, why?
I don’t really need such things this time around. At times, you
device another means of solving a particular problem as against the
usual or expected way of doing something like that. Sometimes you need
to apply diplomacy. You don’t really need to respond to everything
everybody says about you.
Meaning that everything now has come with more maturity?
(Cuts in) Yes, that’s what I am saying. Everything needs to come with maturity. Sometimes, you just say, ‘Let it go.’
Your performance at this year’s Ojude Oba in Ijebu Ode, Ogun
State was a bang, according to those who witnessed it. Was that your
first time of performing at the historic carnival?
I thank God for that but that wasn’t my first time of performing at
Ojude Oba. I have been going there before but not on Globacom
invitation. So, that will be the first time of performing at Ojude Oba
as Glo ambassador.
How would you describe the experience?
It was a very nice and wonderful one. I was in South Africa then but
Baba (Mike Adenuga) said they should just call me, that he wanted me to
perform there. I came back from South Africa that same day. I went
straight to Ijebu Ode from the airport.
Since you became Glo ambassador, you have not spoken about
it. How would you describe being one of the new ambassadors of the
company?
How do I put it? Let me say I really appreciate those who also
appreciate me because if they don’t appreciate you, you won’t be named
an ambassador of that brand. Even if you have all the qualities or
criteria required, that does not mean you will be appointed. But they
will only pick you if they have special interest in you. So, I thank God
for the recognition.
Would you say being a Glo ambassador has changed your life and career?
It has.
A lot of people will not want to disclose the amount involved, can you be different in that aspect?
(Laughs) Don’t let’s talk about that but it’s done deal already. It will surely come.
You’re one of the wondrously blessed musicians right now, what more do you want from God?
God knows best. Although, as a human being, one will always aspire to
greater things, only God knows best. He knows what fits you at a
particular time.
What’s the relationship between you and K1 like at the moment? Has everything been solidified since it was resolved months back?
Right now, I don’t have any problem with anybody since everything has
been sorted out. But I don’t know if anybody has any problem with me.
A couple of months back, it was reported by some print and social media that you acquired N27m Range Rover jeep. How true is it?
I don’t really like saying much about such things. I believe it
should be private. I don’t like making public all my accomplishments
because of the beef in the industry. I only like announcing those ones
that can’t be hidden from the public.
But just last week it was also reported that you acquired
hectares of land for your band members. How much did you spend on that
and who are the beneficiaries?
Let me just respond to that by saying it’s being processed.
Let’s know a little about it now, the location, amount and the beneficiaries.
(Cuts in) I have just told you, the process is ongoing. I don’t enjoy
talking about whatever I do for others or even my achievements. I
believe everything should be private.
But we learnt all your band members benefitted from that…
You don’t just worry about that.
Okay, what do you think informed the decision to acquire land for your band members?
Most of them have been with me for long. We have all gone through
thick and thin. So, I decided to compensate them in my little way.
That’s the reason I put that in process.
No doubt, you’re one of the biggest artistes right now, how often do you get shows and engagements?
I am always very busy performing. I give God all the glory for that.
How much do you charge right now?
The minimum I charge for a party now is N1m. But if it’s a concert, I
don’t charge less than N1.5m. At times, I charge as high as N4m. And
for political rally, or any related show, I collect N4m.
Being a very busy artiste, how do you take care of your homefront?
That’s settled and well taken care of, especially now that my children are in South Africa.
With benefit of hindsight, what do you think is missing in
the Fuji genre that you think if it’s injected it will make the genre
better than you met it?
I don’t think there is anything missing. The only thing I think those
on radio and television stations should be doing for us is to be
playing our music very well. They don’t usually play our music on their
programmes. They only believe in playing hip-hop. We only need to appeal
to them to help play Fuji as much as they do for other genres of music,
especially hip-hop.
But don’t you think the impression is that traditional music, which Fuji belongs, is dying?
No, I don’t believe in that. Traditional music can’t die. Even the
hip-hop acts extract most of their lyrics from the traditional music.
So, traditional music will be there forever.
What’s your greatest aspiration now as a Fuji artiste?
The only thing I am looking forward to achieving is taking Fuji
beyond performing in one small hall or restaurant abroad. For instance,
when Fuji artistes go abroad, they only play in small halls or
restaurants. I know it’s not easy to achieve but with God, all things
are possible. When I was in the States, I used to go to House of Blues
in Chicago to watch Femi Kuti live. Then I also watched King Sunny Ade.
No Fuji artiste has ever performed there. I don’t know the reason
promoters are not sponsoring us there. So, that’s what I am looking for a
way to achieve and I know it will come to pass.