Just looking back at an interview with H

Next Big Thing in Naija Country Style Music

Nigerian Country Style Music is the blending of Nigerian languages into the average music style. Every Naija musician is a replica of the word Patriotism; each coming to the front with a unique style. As the case is now; Nigerian music is in the forefront; leading other entertainment sectors, but in all fairness: Nigerian languages infused music is truly the normality in selling our culture. Music is inspiringly African; because many of us know the true effects of crafting our style.
This is what brings us to this piece; done by Mood editor for The Wazobia Gazette, for The Daily Sun. A rundown of some Nigerian singers from the seventies to the present day; this work showcases professional performers, who have beaten all odds to define who they are. Starting from forgotten legends who later had their careers re-focused; to sensational stars who became crippled by drug abuse: but kept their cool, to the women behind power labels to the present “it” girl, all the way to the next big thing to look out for.

1. Fatai Rolling Dollars

…The only elements that betray Fatai Rolling Dollar’s age are the front teeth he lost in the course of his 79 years, and the memories of the neo-traditional Nigerian music he has absorbed since he began playing in the Fifties. For the rest, this livewire player of the West African agidigbo thumb piano and the guitar remains a vivid testimony to the vitality of Lagos’s music heritage. In 2004, Fatai returned to Nigeria’s music scene with three albums and was finally recognised as a virtuoso exponent of neo-traditional highlife rhythms and a precursor to juju music. Two years later he teamed up with Tony Allen for the album Lagos No Shakin’. In May 2007, Fatai released a compilation CD bringing together the gems that have marked his troubled career.
Despite his early output, Fatai had by and large been forgotten by his country’s music community and international specialists (no mention of him in the venerable Rough Guide to World Music…). Yet household names like Ebenezer Obey, Fela Kuti and King Sunny Ade, grudgingly admit to his influence on their music.
Rolling Dollar, whose real surname is Olagunjo, can thank his schoolmates for his stage name. He was always called on by them to roll a two-and-a-half shilling piece (a dollar) to choose sides for the football matches at school break. He began his musical career during the years of hard graft put in for the marines of the colonial powers in his native port city. Fatai worked the Palm Line that went down to Congo, Libreville, Luanda, and Port Noire. Everywhere he went he picked up different rhythms on the agidigbo and played it in exchange for Lucky Strike cigarettes.
His music break came in 1953 when teamed up with master guitarist J.O. Araba and tenor sax Ishola Willie Payne to play at the exclusive Island Club. Their Afro Skittle band adopted Ghanaian palm wine music to Yoruba highlife sounds, a fusion that deeply influenced up-and-coming artists Fela Kuti, Sunny Ade and Ebenezer Obey (whom he taught to play the guitar). In the early days of independence, the Afro Skittles recorded several 78-rpm vinyl songs for Philips, the most popular of which were « Ranka Dede » and « Ogba oya ya ».
The start of Fatai’s demise dates back to the night of February 18 1977, when the military, under the orders of Olusegun Obasanjo, burnt down Fela’s self-proclaimed Kalakuta Republic. At the time, Fatai lived two doors away and he lost his home and all his musical possessions. It put a brutal stop to the career of this impish composer who took refuge in a one-room shack in the notorious Mushin neighbourhood of Lagos.
For the following 25 years, Fatai has stayed there, eking out a living first as a security man in a sports complex and then as a guitarist for the local church. It was only after Punch journalist Funso Aina complained in his column about « the bundle of talent that is wasting away » in Mushin, that the career of this father-of-ten was resurrected. First the Goethe Institute, then the French Cultural Centre invested in bringing him out of retirement. The latter, under the guidance of director Joel Bertrand, took him in May 2003, to Rabat, Morocco, to open the second edition of the capital’s world music festival. The result is a splendid live album brought out by the Lagosian label Jazzhole Records.
Already in 2003, Jazzhole executive director Olakunle Tejuoso had released a record to mark the singer’s comeback. Simply called « Fatai Rolling Dollar returns », its socially-drenched lyrics and old world charm take us back to the Sixties palmwine style. This contemporary of Julius Araba, Ayinde Bakare, Eddy Fasaiye and Seni Tejuosho has now followed up with the May 2004 release « Won Kere Si Number » and, all of a sudden, everyone wants a piece of the diehard musician. A black beret almost always screwed on his diminutive head, a smile as broad as his musical experience, Fatai Rolling Dollar believes he has plenty more to give to West African music, and patiently waits for his rightful place in African music history…

2. Majek Fashek….


done by AfricaSounds
The interview took place in Washington Square Park, New York. The vibe was just right. In our hands, we held the latest demo of yet unreleased songs for Majek's upcoming album. We decided to begin our discussion by focusing on each of the five songs on that demo, one by one. With Majek, you’ve got to know why he wrote the song, and what he was getting at. Sometimes, you have to push, dig deeper, to get the real meaning.
That day we found ourselves digging deep for the meaning of Majek's songs, philosophy and his view of the world around him. Read on...
AfricaSounds: Hey Majek, thanks for spending time with us today. Let’s talk about this demo here, its brand new and it isn’t yet released. We’d like to give our readers a preview of what is to come from you.
Majek Fashek: I am working with some musicians over in California, my promotion company hooked them up with me, and we did some work. We arranged the music to get the right musicians for the right sound.
AfricaSounds: Let’s start with the first song, "Job Lamentation". Tell us about it…
Majek Fashek: I’m talking about Job, I dedicated that song to my late brother who was a Biafra soldier – you know he believed in God and things happened. At the same time, I start to realize life in its redefinition. Referring to the song lyrics "We are not fighting against flesh and blood, but spiritual wickedness in high and low places." So what I am trying to say is that Job was the son of God in the Bible. Job heard everything. Man, he was tempted by the devil to give up Jah will…Job tried, you know…

Just like what has happened to me in my career – because before I had a very big contract with Interscope Records, you know what I am saying… things happen and I was on some spiritual experience. Things like that – losing all the bucks, just like that… but still surviving!
Surviving and reflecting on the survival of man, and the message. So reflection of that has already passed us by. I don’t really think about it no more… that is why we are back on our new project. I had my last project that I did with Tuff Gong records (that produced the album "Rainmaker") but this new project is different, we are trying to handle this project ourselves. Because the American music industry is going nuclear…. Nuclear in the sense that you have independent labels now.
AfricaSounds: On these past projects, did you maintain control of the entire production?
Majek Fashek: No, it was controlled by the recoding industry. They would give me some leverage to produce music – I produced with Little Steve the album "Spirit of Love" with Interscope… but you know right now were are not talking about that type of money…
AfricaSounds: That could be said about the state of the recording industry in general. Things keep changing, there’s not much consistency with labels and people working within those labels, don’t you think?
Majek Fashek: Well, you can try to do better for yourself but you still need a house… you know, you can’t be sleeping on the street. There is a chain of command, like you know. I was in the house after Interscope with Tuff Gong Records, but now Tuff Gong has moved from New York, and its kind of affected the whole deal that we had. Like you were saying, every year there seems to be a change with these companies.
AfricaSounds: That’s part of what is hurting the efforts of so many musicians that we see, because a musician can work very hard to set up a relationship with a recording house and then the house is gone, or gobbled up, or the management changes.
Majek Fashek: So it is tough. But the life of a musician is good in the United States; the U.S. doesn’t give us any problems. Being in New York is good for a musician, as long as you don’t have your own problems and can stay focused. America is the best place to stay as a musician, I would never disregard that. You have more venues, you have promoters, you have agencies… it’s just for you to know how to hook up with these people, that is the challenge. To get the right contacts and hook up with the right people.

3. Asa –

Jailer By gorette
A young Nigerian singer by the name of Asa (pronounced Asha) is currently causing a stir with a debut album called Naïve. Asa’s subtle mix of soul, folk and pop, cleverly interwoven with her African roots has already gained attention. Featuring impeccable percussion, a funky Hammond organ, reggae-infused bass and contributions from celebrity flautist Magic Malik, Asa’s debut album contains two stand-out tracks: Jailer, a song about “the irony of oppression, not just political or racial oppression, but the kind that operates in everyday life” and Fire on the mountain.
Asa’s singing is deep and beautiful! She is a rising star and I love her!

4. Keziah Jones

Have you heard of Olufemi Sanyaolu? I thought not, but have you hard of Keziah Jones? Probably more likely. Keziah Jones is the alter ego for one of the UKs most talented Guitarists and Singers,whose hits Rhythm is Love, Million Miles from Home and Liquid Sunshine propelled him into recognition in the 90s and of which he still enjoys a huge Cult following in the UK, Europe and increasingly in the USA.

I was at a small African gig in Kilburn, when this skinny, fella in a sleeveless T-shirt and Fedora walked in with my friend Sax Player Ayo Ordia and incidentally at the same time I was doing a Fela Kuti song, when I recognised him, we adapted the song to his hit "Rhythm is Love" which was the signal for the brother to jump on stage and belt the song through, no airs no graces and ceremony- true class! We had a long chat later about his plans and lost touch till I went to his gig at the Jazz Cafe in 2003, which was packed to the rafters and which left even me hardened Gig-head open-mouthed, I wondered how he packed so much kinetic energy into that wiry frame.

Born in Nigeria to a Millionaire Industrialist dad, he was sent to Public school in the UK atthe age of 8, but by the time he approached his teens, he got bored still with the whole grind ("I had to find a way out of all that bullshit, and music was it!") and taught himself to play the Piano and Guitar and whilst still in his early teens threw himself into the Gig and Busking circuit of London and Paris ("Lose all time, love your mind, free your soul!") . There he was discovered by Phil Picket and signed up to a record deal, where his first major hit album Blufunk is a Fact was recorded. Just in case youre in any doubt this guy was a Hippy through and through. Influenced by Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, Sly Stone and by Fela Kuti, his trademark high energy Guitar riffs and incredibly vast and sweet voice/range.texture make his live shows an experience in themselves. Critically acclaimed for his incredibly complex Guitar phrases and high energy delivery (vocal and Instrumental) his albums are a collectors item all over the world for true afficionadoes of Alternative Funk and Indie Rock. Also a Poet and Photographer, he has in more recent times spent his time in the USA pursuing his art quietly and from the look for things enjoying himself thoroughly as only "Rugged International"- (his nickname) is capable. His last album "Black Orpheus" enjoyed mixed reviews but he is still a favourite on the touring circuit and I remember being barely able to get a ticket for his show at the Jazz Cafe. More recently we have been back in touch again on Facebook, where he quietly hides under his real name. Im still trying to convince him to work on the Fatai Rolling Dollar Funk album, who knows?...by Seal 67


…Next Big Thing
5. Artiste: Papi Flo’o
Genre- Countryrocksoulraggahop
Type of Musician: Country Singer
Instruments: Harmonica and Box Guitar
Label: Flo’oH Records
…A twenty six year old singer; a tenor with a sultry voice, who is fast on the uprising as Nigeria’s first truly remarkable Country Singer.
…Dreams do come true; as long as you believe. Onyedika{ which in Ibo stands for “Who is like”}is an inspiring songwriter with a witty and clever appeal towards everyday situations. His classic street hit: “Chekeleke” is a very true rendition of how to create a hit from simply been different. So simply: Onyedikachukwu; which means “Who is like God” can be the same as Onyedikamu, which is “Who is like me…” His next street hit: “Like my own way” is a statement of his own believe in becoming who God has predestined him to be.
…Papi Flo’o, a true showman is fully a very talented performer. Without an album to his name; he is already ranked next Asha. Already a star of great repute on the streets, Flo’o {as he is know by some} or Papi {as some choose to call him} is a fashion show performer. A niche he has carved for himself; a very seasoned showman, Papi Flo’o is a amusician with a lot of street credibility. His raw style is truly energetic and appeals to all kinds.
…He infuses Ibo lyrics with pidgeon english, with a mild use of Yoruba and a whole lot of melody. With a fan base already {Fan Basse Papi}. The muchly liked star is a force of nature to reckon with. Ever looking like a wild rock star or even at times shocking people with his long beards and silky locks, Papi Flo’o is indeed a very good looking man. His voice is as charming as his personality is.
….Counting from the ‘70’s till date, we did a search of Nigerian singers who have done it their own way. Only twenty six; Papi Flo’o own his own label, manages one of his students at a time. A very talented and gifted music teacher, his record label produces street shows to showcase his “one” artiste at a time.
…A seasoned writer for screen and a noted street jogger, Papi Flo’o is trying not only to be the best, but is helping other “bests” realize their worth. In this issue of seeking for true professionalism; we discussed with the actor-model-artiste on his phenomenal rise as a performer with style, class and a whole lot of street credibility.

H: As an actor, what is your drive?
Papi Flo’o: To be the best
H: As a model, what is the best thing you’ve done?
Papi Flo’o: Creating a street show tagged “Tali Eniola Street Show” with H. It was more of a fashion show. I was on the run way as a model, and also performed as a country singer on stage.
H: As a singer; what are you working on?
Papi Flo’o: I’m working on some singles right now, to be released soon.
H: How did you come about becoming a Country Singer?
Papi Flo’o: I started off in the choir…so I’ve always listened to good classical music, but most importantly is what I see everyday in the Country
H: Country Music, is that your genre?
Papi Flo’o: When I say to people am a country singer, they tend to drift to the path of Jim Reeves, Don Williams and co. But am not a country singer in that bracket only, am a country singer, because am a country boy, who lives by the country side, home breed, Nigeria, west side. My genre is “Corosorah” .
H: Where did the name “ Corososrah” come from?
Papi Flo’o: It’s just a little bit of everything I do, it’s An abbreviation for Countryrocksoulraggahop.
H: How did you decide to start a peculiar style?
Papi Flo’o: I’ll say you never really know...I kind of listened to different varieties of music, that they all shaped me to what I do today, without me even knowing.
H: What’s your singing style?
Papi Flo’o: I am a casual singer…singing comes easy for me…my singing style is inspirational
H:Who would you say influences you more?
Papi Flo’o: There is really no-one: they just come and go…
H: You’ve been singing for how many years?
Papi Flo’o: the’ve always said “boy u got a good voice”; but I started singing since the mid ‘90’s when in the choir, but I started writing and doing my own kind of music like since 2003.
H: Where do you get the inspiration to write songs?
Papi Flo’o: I write mostly from my own life experiences; things around me, am a naturistic fellow. I got most of my earlier inspiration as a songwriter, from my time at Nsukka.
H: What were you doing at Nsukka? Did you go to the university there?
Papi Flo’o: I was wandering, everyone passed tru that phase…(laughs)..ok seriously school admission and all that stuff…they ended up given me diploma shit.. I did for a while and off I went, back to the street to do what I know best, street music, street shows, everything around showbiz, am just a hustler.
H: Why did you choose to be a street hit first; before making it big time?
Papi Flo’o: I think it is important to see what people think of your music first…right now my song “chekeleke” is already a street chorus; that’s street credibilty marked for me.
H: Which legend can you be compared to?
Papi Flo’o: I wouldn’t like the comparism thing, but I like Marley and Dube style, Akon Majek, 2face and Asa too…
H: Which attribute of your life; has kept you in line with your choice of music style?
Papi Flo’o: My voice and guitar; both an aftermath of my watchword: “FOCUS”.
H: Who is the best soul singer in Nigeria now?
Papi Flo’o: It’s Asa for me…
H: Is gospel music close to what people call soul music or is it purely different?
Papi Flo’o: There is no limit to gospel music. It could be soul or any other style, depending on the artiste.
H: Do you have to know the notes of music to be a great songwriter?
Papi Flo’o: Not really! It’s just a plus. There are people who know no jack about music, but are still great songwriters. Songwriting basically has to do with melody and words.
H: Who is your biggest muse; when it comes to inspiration? Who inspires you to become the best?
Papi Flo’o: Myself and Sorroundings…but per get up and kick ass, it has to be you of course…

PAPI FLO'O "Rock Non Stop"

my god how fast time fly, thank God for his enablement and wisdom in making decision.. this year has produced mush, but i know it's only the beginning... i have served the hood so much excitement dem so happy..

expression

i have re-ignited another of my passion and its burning tru me like my song writting or guiter practice. its called expression...the act of espressing thoughts and feelings...where?...anywhere...its still like blogging, just this time ts blogging on walls..shirts..anywhere.

ESPOSE YOUR ABILITY

my dream was to become a supertar.
I did not just seat! I went looking for it.
I was at MTN’s project fame on Friday, there keffe was seated as I played and rendered Naija pride. She wanted something more so I gave her afrodiciac remix. She said they needed just three spots “you have a good voice, but I’ll have to say no”
That dreadfull no! always dreafull no matter how prepared you think you are for it. Twos a good one d’ou xpect to see me somewhere next.. for now am still “Papi fllo’o the wanted” MOST WANTED!

MY HOBBIES?

someone ask what my hobies are? Well I am the best PS player in the world that’s no doubt. But that’s just a side kick; I am the best in anything I put my mind to do, like creative writing or singing which is my life. I like to express creatively be it with the guitar or the sewing machine which I haven’t touched in a while. Being a singer and designer are two challenging combination, you almost have to give it all for one.
If I did not turn out to become an artistic fellow, I’d probably I’d been an athlete, you know 100...200 meters. My potentials were first spotted when I was in primary school, the game mistress of the blue house hustled me to represent the house. “On your marks!” I closed my eyes, and when I opened them, the race was over. I ad dusted everyone. It happened so fast and so short, I only remembered reaching the finish line with my hands spread like a bird ready to go...High…high…high…high.
That’s why it pains me the way most sports are neglected in Nigeria. I’d probably would have been the best athlete in the world, still can. I stopped chasing that dream long ago but one thing that would always remain with me is keeping fit! I am still a street jogger, with some abdominals and am ready to go.
But back to reality, sometimes when I think of the kind of relationship I would love to be in that could grow into infinity, I just tell myself “well you’ll never know” life is one tricky son of a bicth. But I know I would be the best in that too. And it’s simple’ I just be the person I hope to find.
Ok what other things do I like? Boy! Uncountable!! Serious!!!! Can’t begin to mention them all. I like to play a lot with pictures on Photoshop, like sequencing on Elberton when I can lay my hands on the original. I read some good novels sometimes, they inspire me to write. I like the trickery of writing, the plotting and all, it’s like God creating the earth, placing the garden and just being creative.
A non fiction novel is unfolding itself presently and I have entitled it “in love with a stranger” wish me luck…loll

Events Makes the World Go Round

7:45 Am, Thursday morning I was watching my dad’s car when a little neighborhood friend, dressed in her uniform getting ready for school. She said to me “Yar‘Adua is dead! He died yesterday” I said “Yee right” even Dan another neighborhood friend controlling aboki’s selling water for his in-house supply, did not not help matters, for he said “That small girl, How she take know? [The small little girl was about seven eight years]
But few minutes later when I got into the house, my sis and ma’ confirmed the rumor “Yar’Adau is indeed dead “The cat with nine lives finally ran out of lives
Them say the guy died yesterday, that’s what they say what do you think?
If you think that was hard…wait…as I dey prepare to come café, na so one aunty just enter the neighboring gate. The children dey outside dey play, na so she question them “you people no go school?” “No!” they replied “why” she asked them “you no hear say Yar’Adua die?” they asked her like a rehearsed chorus “So! Wetin concern you with Yar’Adua? na im get your school? Is he your daddy?

April is like cofee

March was like marching forward, April is like cofee. Cofee get you going, which is all am needing. T he motivation is the cofee. I have determination, inspiration and all...it comes naturally. The inspiration has processed enough floor, about now its being baked one by one and two by two as the going will let. it is not forcing, so i am chilling and enjoying the moment. I am not forcing at all, but i am not dulling either. its no time! as usual, work before pleasure.
i was at a wedding reception on the 10th of this month in festac performing African Queen with my guiter to a capacity audience, but now i am working on gen! gen!!
The hood is anticipating and flo'o is working. please pass me the cofee!

coke!

I need sponsors for Papi Flo’o road show and I want coke! So I am going to look for coke! Because I have work done for them already. I need them to put up a bill board and run a TV promo to promote coke! As well as promote Nigeria own models and Artiste’s, representing proudly Naija!

If interested in seeing the work: contact me: or call: 08139617124.

Wanted

If you’re a D.J, sound engineer or producer and you want to be the next big thing hallo me.
Performers, especially instrumentalists {guitarists, keyboardists, drummers and all.} that want to exhibit their skills life on stage should contact me or meet me at eagles club {Adeniran Ogunsanya} or at La Nouvelle {Alhaji Masha}... It’s Papi Flo’o
More female back-up singers and male, contact for a chance to do it on stage.
Call 08139617124 for more info. .

March!

I marched into the month of March with the pace of a cheetah.
Papiflo’o wanted”
The writing on my wall now visible….

Papiflo’o wanted by all.
I got myself a studio in my backyard, meant to serve as foto spot! For all God good looking creatures. Call 08139617124 for more info

Bukatee of {ECHE: male models} and Phebean of {Papi’s Angels} got it kick started with a delicious photo section!


But about now Naija gattu feel corosorah

feb 2010, looking forward and reminiscing back.

I once met a chap called H, the guy says and truly does a lot. He also got to find out that I do a lot. We immediately aliened our dreams and became inspiration for each other career and dreams. Day by day, from the hood of “lere” to the streets of Accra, Abofu, Achimota, Ghana and environs to Abuja gwarimpa estate, the biggest estate they say in west Africa. Day by day and small -small like play- play for people eyes, we don accelerate to the top of what we do. About now we just grabbing the bull by the ball!

JANUARY 2010

January 2010…
The year’s been on since last year, I already got my mind fixed on the price. Am constantly aiming for the unlimited possibilities.
My first post for 2010, quite a while since the last. It’s 7th of February 2010, Sunday night. I and H took a walk round the avenue with Chelsea.
January like sprinters off the block! It’s; “on your marks!” since last year, about now it’s “get set!” and you know, Go! Is agonizingly close-by, like instantly!
So much to do, just want to shut up and do the damn thing! But life is tricky, and it presents us with tricky situations. Some happens instantly like the twinkling of an eye, which requires most often instant response and reaction. But as they say; it’s always wise to seat back and sink it all in” before reacting. “The patient dog eats the fattest bone” they say. But what happens if there is no bone for the patient dog to eat? “nana! Can’t be! Can it”...
…The path I have chosen to tread is the risky side where you give all for the price, its winners take all. You better be up for it. “You take all or you lose all.
I gat corosorah, the tunes of corosorah. For those blessed enough to be blessed by its sound, those who understand and know corosorah. Its more than music, corosorah is a vision, it’s something extra supernatural. Corosorah is big a religion like any other. Corosorah is the next big thing for the world. But like they say “charity begins at home” so Naija must feel corosorah before the world {soji, grab, comprehend, relate] understand. Am a proud Naija boy from the hoods of “Lere” I have a story embodied inside “Corosorah Naija new culture”
I want Naija and the world to know my story. Yeh! I got mine too!
I want them to feel the vibe of corosorah and understand what a new way you can move your hips, body and soul to swag.
January has certainly been a good one [month] that would produce a happy ending [year]. GO!