Legendary Nigerian Fuji music icon, Abass Akande, popularly known as Obesere, has stated that despite the prominence of hip-hop and Afrobeats in the Nigerian music scene, Fuji music will always remain relevant and irreplaceable.
“The Omorapala” who has been in the Fuji scene for over three decades, in an interview with Sunday Scoop, shared some of the biggest lessons he has learned from life and music.
“Over the last 30 years, the biggest lesson I have learnt is to keep going despite the challenges. I faced various struggles carving a niche for myself. I was even tagged an Asakasa singer. It was tough to let people know that it was just slang and I was just being original,” he said.
Speaking further, he explained how he stays relevant while evolving with the times.
“Being able to connect means that you have to be on top of your game. I evolved with the trend. Permit me to say it’s ‘Street OT’. I didn’t look down on myself as if I’m too old. If you see yourself as an old singer, you will be overtaken. But that is not to say that you shouldn’t allow the younger ones to progress. As they move, you maintain your lane discipline and continue to earn your respect.”
When asked about the younger generation of artistes, such as Asake and Burna Boy, who are sampling Fuji sounds, Obesere expressed delight at how they are helping to sustain the culture.
“It’s a great thing that our younger and raving talents are showcasing the essence of Fuji and taking some recipes to continue to dish out good music. It has always been like that, but it’s louder now. In many interviews I had granted in the past, I was asked if hip-hop would not stampede Fuji music, and my response has always been that hip-hop will never override Fuji. The latter is a borrowed culture, but Fuji is our own, and it’s traditional.”
Reacting to Adekunle Gold’s recently released album Fuji, which celebrates the genre, Obesere commended the singer for paying homage to his roots.
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