A strong positioner of Nigeria positively, regarded by those in the know as the Lord of drums, and revered by the washington post as a wizardry percussionist, Olalekan Babalola, two-time Grammy Award winner told Godfreytimes in an interview that he is not the first Nigerian to be associated with Grammy Award .
Godfreytimes: As
regards your esteemed mother’s go-ahead when you told her you wanted to be an
artist, how would you describe the needfulness of a parent’s support to their
children’s dreams?
Babalola: I am grateful to have a mother like mine. It is a
privilege.
I find you have been
active since 1983, how was your experience with associated acts like Fela Kuti,
Ali Farka Toure, and Cassandra Wilson like?
Babalola: Educative and great experience, which I am forever
grateful for.
Godfreytimes: You are
revered as the Lord of drums but we know you as a renowned percussionist…could
you kindly enlighten us about how it interests you?
Babalola: I am a percussionist by profession and I love what
I do, because it gives me freedom of expression.
Godfreytimes: On the
last day of Jazz appreciation month you made your first appearance at the Lagos
international jazz festival, are we going to be graced with your eminent
presence this year?
Babalola: I am not sure. It is not confirmed as of yet.
Godfreytimes: Could
you tell us more about the Sacred Funk Project?
Babalola: It is about ancient to the modern time. Mixing the
old form with the new form.
Godfreytimes: What is
your advice to boost this genre of music in Nigeria?
Babalola: Arts in education in schools, colleges and
universities with constant performance and good publicity.
Godfreytimes: In 2006
you became Nigeria’s first Grammy Award winner for your work on Ali Farka
Toure’s in the heart of the Moon which
you were credited in three tracks…how did you feel?
Babalola: I am not the first Nigerian to be associated with
Grammy Award. Great Mr. Sikiru Adepoju ace talking drummer. Is our first
Nigerian to be part of Grammy Award Project. I am honoured to be part of major
prestigious award in the world.
That info has
enlightened me…thank you very much sir.
Thank you Mr. GODFREY
Godfreytimes: Evidently
you grow approvingly well in your profession because you won another Grammy in
2009…what keeps you on that path of award-recognition?
Babalola: Grace and mercy of our Lord is my muse.
Godfreytimes: Are you
familiar with the female drummer Ara?
Babalola: Yes I am.
Godfreytimes: What is
your perspective on her brand of music?
Babalola: African Jazz Funk is the brand, if we want to put in
a genre.
Godfreytimes: What is
the possibility of great musical acts like you two working together…a duet
which will likely boost the entertainment industry
Babalola: There are many possibilities which is on the table
for future discussion.
Godfreytimes: Concerning
this genre of music in Nigeria, are we doing the right thing?
Babalola: Nigeria is doing what any developing country will
do. Making of an industry. It is not there yet.
GodfreyTimes
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