Jasa gospel crooner and founder of FS7 Music, Femi Oladele, famous as Femi Solar, has come a long way in the music industry with 15 studio albums to his credit. The Juju maestro has created a unique brand of music for himself and enjoys favourable patronage from music lovers within and outside Nigeria. In this interview with SEGUN ADEBAYO, he speaks about his career and the what he thinks the future holds for him.
You have become a household name in the Juju music look at how far you have come with your career, do you think you are currently living your dreams?
Living one’s dream is a wide space for me to delve into with one response. But I will say that I have been truthful to my calling over the years and my craft has gone through different phases in the last five years. I have grown and I am still learning but I am currently not where I used to be. I am also a better artiste and brand that commands respect and recognition within and outside Nigeria. So, if I want to be real, I will say I am indeed evolving. My dream is wide, I pray for the grace to live it fully. I will always say that my life, career, a reflection of God’s grace.
You have come a long way with your music but do you think you have earned your space in the music business in Nigeria?
I have had an incredible fulfilling experience over the years, which allowed me to pursue my passion, achieve my goals and create a unique style of music that bring happiness to every home that comes in contact with my music. As a musician, to earn your place, you must have created some unforgettable and evergreen moments with your music that people can always relate with. I think my fans will be in the best position to say I have earned my space but I know that I am working hard every day and giving the best of myself to my craft.
Some weeks back, news came to town that you completed your house and the house warming attracted big shots in the music industry. People who saw the building said it must have cost you a fortune. Did it truly cost you a fortune to build the house?
I don’t know what people mean by it cost me a fortune. I wanted a dream house and told God to grant me the grace to erect a house that will celebrate His glory in my life.
I could recall you told me about this house some years back…
It took me five years to build the house because I wanted to build my name first. I didn’t just want any house, I want a dream house but I felt it could wait while I focus on building my brand and becoming a household name. I am grateful to God that we completed the house and we have a brand that people don’t joke with when it comes to entertaining them with quality music and sound. I planned that by the time I would be having the house warming, I will be releasing a new album which I called ‘Lifted’. It was a two-in-one event; the idea is to make it a double celebration to the glory of God.
Let’s talk about your relationship with Yinka Ayefele and the feeling in town that you pattern your music after his style. How would you describe your relationship with him as of today?
Let me state it categorically that I have no issue with my daddy, Yinka Ayefele. He’s my father and I respect him so much. He was the one who cut the tape at my house warming party and I hold him in high esteem.
But you can’t deny the fact that you had issues before now. In fact some people believe that you invited him to cut the tape at your house warming to prove that there are no more issues. Is this true?
The fact remains that I love and respect him so much. All the issues in the past played out through misconceptions.
What misconceptions?
There is nothing to talk about that anymore. People just like to bring out issues out of nothing. Right now, we have a smooth father and son relationship.
As a young man with huge responsibilities, how do you manage to keep your head calm to write songs and perform regularly at shows?
I didn’t get to this level because I work hard alone, God brought me this far and I am grateful. When God gives you a vision or brings you to a place, He will empower you with all the resources you need to succeed. I cannot relent now because I love to work hard and see myself up and doing promoting the brand all the time. I also have a professional team that I work with to make the task less cumbersome. I have a structured schedule that allows me to allocate time to practice, compose songs and attend to other responsibilities while also making time for relaxation and self-care.
People say Femi Solar is young. When exactly did your music journey start?
The reason people say I am a young Juju musician is because I started at a very young age; I’ve been making music since I was in secondary school. Femi Solar had been a household name since then.
You have about 15 albums to your credit, which of them do you love most?
I feel good about all my albums, especially the latest one, Lifted. It is a very sensitive title and the tracks in the album are very inspirational. I also have a new single entitled Ni Faaji. It’s African-Afro high concept and it will set a new pace in the industry. The song encourages had work and finding time to relax and take care of themselves. I have 15 albums to my credit and many live plays on CD.
Since legendary music artistes like Ebenezer Obey and KSA gradually becoming less active in the music industry, there are fears that the genre may soon go into extinction as there seems not to be any artiste that could step into their shoes as of today. What do you think is affecting Juju music in Nigeria?
The problem with Juju music, particularly highlife music is that some digital media space platforms are yet to embrace Juju like digital music TV channels. They would rather play foreign music; hip pop and Afro pop than playing juju/highlife music. That is why I created something different but still in the flavor of the genre.
You are a man who loves to celebrate your children a lot even on social media platforms. Is there any reason for this?
I am a family-oriented man and I love having children around me. I love showing love to my children and even those around me. I have four children and they’re doing well and I have a beautiful family.
You are always talking about Oyo state governor Governor Seyi Makinde is, there any special thing he has done for you?
It is not just about my love for Governor Seyi Makinde alone but with other South-West governors, particularly Osun and Ogun. I have seen the magnificent strides in governance, particularly in Oyo State where I reside. I love it when a governor is passionate about the development of his state and the people, especially the workers’ welfare. I appreciate the good works of the governors and I feel it is only normal to keep encouraging them to do more and criticise them when they err. It seem that I have interested in all the south west governors and this is not because I live in the south west but because I love the good work they’re doing,
You seem to have a unique bond with your mum tell us about her and why you always talk about her?
My mum and I are very close. She has been my biggest source of support and inspiration since I started making music.
People say she’s your personal prophet is this true?
Yes, she is my spiritual leader and personal prophet. You know what it means when your mum plays the role of mother and prophet in your life. It is like receiving a double portion of anointing every day of your life.
Your younger brother, Tayo has been your manager for some years. How do you manage to maintain a cordial relationship over the years?
When I tell people that the relationship between Tayo and I as brothers is deeper than what anybody can explain, and that no one has ever settled any fight for us, they always think I am not being truthful. Of course we have reasons to disagree a number of times but we have a special way of settling our differences without involving any third party. It is not something I can explain.
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