Music Legend, K1, hardly grants interviews. But he always talks to City People magazine anytime we ask him for one. A few days back, he spoke to City People Assistant Society Editor, ABIOLA ORISILE, inside his Ojusagbola mansion in Ijebu-Ode. It was during the Ileya festivities. For the first time ,the music star spoke about his mum’s influence on him especially how she taught him a lot about traditional music. He also spoke about his life and marriage to Titi. Read on. Its interesting.
Let us talk about Ojude-Oba, what do you have to say about this annual event?
It is something that has been in existance since the days of our fore-fathers. We have been celebrating Ojude-Oba, but it has been taken to another level. As Ijebu sons and daughters, we always look forward to Ojude-Oba. Even Nigerians in diaspora come home to celebrate with us. It gladdens our hearts to see many people coming to rejoice with us.
You are a member of one of the most popular Egbe Bobakeye, which has produced Governors, Senators, and over 20 Obas. How does this make you feel?
Let me say we are lucky in Egbe Bobakeye. We are growing by age. You should also know that because of the age-grade we fall in. Lots of good things are happening to us. We give glory to God. What you are seeing today is as a result of like minds coming together. Yes, Egbe Bobakeye is a prominent age-grade
You have been singing for over 40 years, what is the secret of your huge clients base?
Well, what is worth doing at all is worth doing well. We thank Almighty God. You know, when you know what you want, you will do anything to make it work, if not more. The fan base keeps increasing each day and we thank God for this. When you serve your fans what they want, they will come in tons to show love for your handwork.
Let us talk about your mum (reporter sings, omo Alimo Shadia gbe ere ta wi de), she is going to be 100 in the next couple of years, how do you intend to celebrate her?
It is the grace from God to see my mum turning 100 years. It is now a custom and we pray God gives us long life like hers. We have long age in our gene. Mama is doing fine and we thank God for her life. We will celebrate her when she turns 100 years.
You are not slowing down at all, (reporter sings and he sings along “ti orin o ba retire mi, mi o ni retire ara mi”
Waoh, Biola, you know a lot about singing. Well it is a gift. It is not by our might and everybody enjoying the gift of God. I should thank God. It pleases God to bless those He wants to bless and we must be grateful for that.
Your style of music is unique most especially “Woro” the traditional music. How did you learn that song?
Don’t forget that my mother is a musician and she taught me a lot about music. She taught me all the rudiments of the traditional music. She passed most of it to me. My mum knows much about “Woro” Music and she passed it on to me.
What has kept you going?
For over 63 years? It is grace of God. His grace is enough for me.
You perform minimum of 3 to 4 times a week, what is the secret?
It is grace. Yes, sometimes I perform more than that. It is grace of God that has kept me going. I glorify God for giving me the grace. It is a responsibility I must discharge. When I probably felt, could I take it more, I just see the strength coming. I have done over 200 or more shows.
Your love for your wife keeps getting stronger, what stands your wife, Titi Marshal out?
What stands her out is the way she humbles herself. She can let go many things. There is no how one will not have pains, but you don’t let that pain form part of you and where it needs to be ignore, you move on. When you stand at a place and complain, you will see that you will just keep complaining. You will never be a problem solver while complaining. You must be able to over look many challenges that come your way. If you are able to over look it, you are a problem solver. If you able to solve one problem, you will be able to solve others. Opeyemi has been able to show that she is different.
You call her “Omobibire”, what do you like about her family background?
Yes, if you know me, I love “Bibire”. (Good background). You must have a good background. Yorubas will say “Omo ki ba ipele iya e, ko si asoro ro”. (Our background has an influence on our personality).
Your wife is going to turn 40 in the next couple of months, how do you intend to celebrate her?
We are going to celebrate her in a grand style. We are going to celebrate her in a very modest way when the times comes. She has brought us an indescribable joy but we will celebrate her in a modest way.
You keep looking young each day, what is the secret?
I sleep and rest when necessary.
You have done over how many shows this year?
I have done a lot of shows despite the fact that I was off abroad many times this year. Wow, I have done shows this year 2018 and still counting. I have done over 300 shows this year and still counting.
Is there anything you are cooking up?
You know election is close and it is a busy time for us.
Let us talk about the surprise wedding for your wife, why a suprise?
Wedding or no wedding means different things to different people. When my birthday was coming, I did not know what to do. Many people have been celebrating my birthday for me year in year out. So I told myself, this year birthday must be different. So I said why don’t I celebrate it this way.
You bought wedding band, bought dress, why did you decide to throw her off her feet?
Well, that is how it should be. She is not a fresher and by this, I mean she has given me beautiful children. So I wanted to exhibit my love for her. But unfortunately, few people were around. I thought its something we can do myself, our children and let it be. But people came around and took it away from us. What about if I had taken my wife to Domican Republic or Bahamas but this is our own Domican Republic. We did it and we are enjoying it.
What makes her different?
I respect her because she wants to stay out of trouble. A woman who wants to stay out of trouble will stay on what keeps every woman responsible. The only thing that can make you responsible is to be focused on your work and that is the best way to keep any marriage.
A woman who wants to know what happens at home, on the street, on the stage with her husband will create nuisance of herself. My wife knows she
