If you call him a true musician, you wouldn’t be far from the truth. Sound Sultan (real name, Olanrewaju Fasasi) is one of the few artistes that have remained relevant and consistent for more than a decade now. He recently chatted with YES INTERNATIONAL! Magazine’s KOREDE BELLO on the secret of his staying power and more…
When did you actually develop interest in music?
Yeah! I can remember; as far back as 1989/1990. I was in secondary school then and I was miming songs like Rosie (Sings it). You know Blackky’s Rosie. Miming such songs and loving everything. Since then, I’ve been loving everything.
What would you say has been the secret of your staying power and relevance in the music industry?
O boy! It’s God, it’s God. I have a song that even speaks about that. If you buy my album, my new album (my sixth album), it’s called The Piano. If you listen to that track, it attributes all my success and everything to God. Because God is the one that disposes after man proposes. I feel that music is an inspiration from God. So, I owe everything to Him.
How would you describe your kind of music?
I call it Jagbajantis because I believe I try to, you know, recycle any style of music and do justice to it with my afrocentric delivery.
What is the secret of coming up with a good song?
First, you need to be able to sing on key. It must be a mass appeal kind of song; it must have a good message, good beat, a good understanding of the music industry and what the demands are.
What are the ingredients of a hit song?
Sometimes you don’t know which song would be a hit. Sometimes it’s just luck. Sometimes it’s a good video; good promotion.
Where do musicians or artistes get it wrong, especially the up and coming ones?
Some people just try to sound like their last hit. You know, because they feel it’s a winning formula, they want to sound like that because they feel people accepted it. But for me, I always say anything that has been used is no more news. So far you can identify the fact that, that person did good with that one, go and look for something else that would be unique in some way.
What is the greatest mistake that celebrities make and what mistakes should stars in the making avoid?
Well, you need to understand that every time you are in public, yes, you are human, but you need to control your wrong-doings in public. Your negativity, your vices have to be something you are not showing. We are not telling you to be a hypocrite. Yes, you know that you have the vices, but don’t bring them into the open because you have a responsibility to the young people coming up. So, whatever you do would be used against you. That’s just it.
You’ve been here for a while and you’ve been consistent. How do you feel that artistes that came after you are being recognized by multinational labels and you haven’t?
No! Right now, the level I’ve gotten to, I don’t expect to be signed by any multi-national label. Or are you talking about endorsements? Nobody has been signed to international labels, trust me. Whatever they are doing, maybe they have a publishing deal here and there. Nobody has been signed to an international label that I’ve heard of, apart from Asa. Trust me, we’ve been opportuned to go to the States (US), travel out and understand everything that is going on. It’s just affiliation here and there. So, most definitely, with due respect, the ones that have one or two relationships have been there. But then, all I’m saying is that, that is not a yardstick to measure success. For me, I believe there’s a reason we’ve been around, so there’s no shaking. Not then, not now and forever.
What is the greatest thing that music has done for you?
Of course, my livelihood.
What has music not done for you?
Nothing. I don’t count negativity, I don’t count short-comings.
What role or purpose do musicians play in the society?
They are the mouth piece. They are the ones that would pass messages – good or bad. So, they should understand that.
From your songs, it is obvious that you are a believer in a better society and a better Nigeria. What do you think has been your major contribution to the society?
I don’t know whatever it is, but I’m hoping to try to reawaken the mind set of the people. Let them have love for the country itself before they follow the leaders. I’m just talking about the country itself. That’s what I hope to achieve.
Can you tell us three reasons why you love Nigeria?
Ah! Omo! Naija is my country. That’s one reason. Two, Naija is a blessed country with natural resources. Three, Naija is blessed with human resources.
Aside music, what else do you do?
I do basically entertainment. I do not really disclose my other businesses.
What’s next for Sound Sultan? What should people expect from you?
Of course, the Naija Ninja Record label has signed three new artistes and we’re working on those artistes. And tirelessly. We’ve shot new videos for everybody. So, right now, we’re shooting a video for Young Grace. We’ve shot a video for Karma, which has been enjoying enough airplay. Right now, we’re working with Blaka as well who is featuring Ice Prince on the song.
Baba Dee’s video – To Go Down is already in the works. And I’m planning to shoot my video, featuring Wizkid – Kokose. So, a lot of stuff. We’re busy in the lab.
NB: First published November 2013