He is an
ace musician, especially a Fuji tycoon. He signed a deal and was endorsed as
Glo ambassador. He acquired land for his band members and more of such in the
definitions of the King of Music, Alhaji Saeed Akorede (a.k.a Osupa), and also
one of able Nollywood actors. When he was visited at his Magodo, Lagos
residence on Thursday, 16th October, 2014, Sidon P opens up to the media on all
and sundry of his achievements, up and down, and utopia in his Music career.
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.
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 benefited 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.
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.
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