Working with King Sunny Ade would be a dream come true —Bereek

Bamiduro Tomisin popularly known as Bereek is an artist and songwriter. He attended the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife where he studied Fine Arts. In this interview by OLAWALE OLANIYAN, he reveals his plan to perform on the very big stages in the world 02 Arena in the future. Excerpt:

 

Who  is Bereek?

I’m a Nigerian performing artist, singer and songwriter. I was born in Ondo State, Nigeria, to Robert Dada Bamiduro (father) and Jose Vero Bamiduro (mother) as the first child of four, all boys. I attended Greater Tomorrow International School, Ondo State, Nigeria, after which I proceeded to Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria, to study Fine-Arts.

I grew up listening to music with my aunties and uncles who were always playing music like Celine Dion, Sisqó, R-kelly, Sunny-Ade and a lot more. I particularly had a love for Sunny-Ade which till date, has helped my melodies, harmonies and creativity in music. My dad’s only song then used to be songs by King Sunny Ade, he plays it first thing in the morning before we even wake up and that is the same thing at night too before bed. We had no option, we had to listen to whatever he’s listening to, you dare not tell him to stop, but I’m glad for those times because it built me unconsciously. I also started singing in primary school, thrilling my friends and school in general.

When I got to secondary school, I joined the music club and also joined drama club. Back then in my secondary school days, I represented the school in various music, fine arts and drama competitions. I became the hot boy spice in my school. I remember the event that led to recording my first song, I was in SS3, I and two of my friends sneaked out of school to Lagos without our parents’ knowledge to record my first song. I was formerly known as BamiB2L because I started out professionally in music as a duo. After the duo splitted, I went on a journey of self-rediscovery and a brief hiatus to rebrand myself and hence the name change.

 

Why did you choose the stage name ‘Bereek’?

Bereek is a very funny twist from the Yoruba word “Alubarika” which means “Successful”. I twisted it this way because I wanted a very meaningful name and at the same time a name the female fans would call and would definitely drop a warm smile from their cheeks, so BEREEK it is. Bereek is a rare name.

 

How would you describe Nigerian entertainment and what would you change if you had the opportunity in the music industry?

Afrobeat, as they will call it, is fast-growing worldwide, other parts of the world now recognise it more than it used to be ten to fifteen years ago. Now a lot of foreign artistes want to affiliate themselves to Afrobeat, this alone is a big indication that Nigerian music is really doing well and leaving good marks. Even with this, there is a lot the outside world does not know about Nigerian music as there is still a lot to be discovered and as a new-school artiste, I will be adding all my creative efforts to the entertainment industry generally putting Nigeria entertainment more on the map.

 

What inspired your lyrics?

My lyrics are inspired by my inner feelings, my environment and my perception of things and situations. Also, sometimes I do my composition on a particular instrumental/beat, so some beat directs me on what to compose on them.

 

Which song do you think put the spotlight on you and how did you get inspiration for that song?

Blame-It is my first official single of 2021 since I broke out of the music group. This record is an Afropop, Afrobeats record with instrumental synth and produced by VikwynBeatz. Well, the song is not really personal but you would think it is by the lyrics and the composition. The inspiration for this song came from the very interest in singing a song that will make real meaning and is different from the regular songs we have out there. Blame-it is more like an apology song that teaches us, especially the guys, to learn how to hold their relations by taking blames for things he did and did not do, even things yet to occur. What a story!

 

How did your family support your music career?

Like I mentioned earlier, it was kind of tough with my dad from the beginning, he didn’t want me to do music or anything close to art. Just like every other Yoruba father, he was very particular about education, going to school, coming out with good grades and getting a job or taking on the family business. I remember when I was a little boy, I loved to draw and build stuff but my dad would always scold me for those things.

I remember I had a drawing book back then but I usually hid it from my dad not to see. On the other hand, my mum was never a problem from the beginning, maybe it was because she had interests in art and music when she was a girl too but I never can really tell.

Right now, my dad understands things far better and he’s one of the biggest supporters I have got right now, I think success always has its way of making people believe in things. My siblings were never a problem; they have been a part of my career from the start till now. The one after me, Obanla, I can tell you he’s my biggest fan and supporter in the world.

 

What’s your process for dealing with performance anxiety?

All I just do is get myself lost in the vibe and focus on trilling my fans as someday soon I will be performing on the very big stages in the world, 02 Arena, Sydney Opera House, world-cup stage among others.

 

Which artist do you anticipate working with and do you have any plan to release an album soon?

I would love to work with artists like Davido, Burna Boy, Tiwa Savage, Wizkid, Tems and working with the legendary King Sunny-Ade would be a dream come true. On the foreign ground, I would love to work with Chris Brown; he’s my biggest model, Drake, Justin Bieber, Adam Levine, Rihana and any other who would love to work with me, home and abroad. I am currently working on my E.P compilation, the E.P would drop soon and it will comprise nothing less than five hot tracks.

 

Who is your favourite female Nigerian artist and why?

Tiwa Savage. There is something spectacular about her creations.

 

How many years do you intend to spend in the music industry?

This might sound funny but the truth is that I never really put myself on a time scale but one thing I know for sure is that I will be around for a very long time. Not just being around but very relevant in the industry worldwide. As long as God permits, He’s the one who gives time.

 

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