Sanmi Michael is a singer, songwriter, music composer, and live performance artiste. He has always shown a great inclination and love for music. His skill and discipline, uncommon in many chaps of his age, invariably earned him a spot in a professional choir at the age of 6. This was no doubt, the start of his steps to stardom. At a tender age, Adesanmi would listen to music at the feet of his father and grandfather, as well as many other notable musicians at that time which had invariably, inspired an innate desire to do music in him. Sanmi and his Rockers Band do gospel, contemporary, and inspirational songs. The elements that make up their music are the introduction of the traditional feel into the music, their choice of lyrics, and how they deliver the song.
Speaking about what makes himself and his band exceptional he shared that, “Our ability to inculcate tradition into any genre of music is one of the things that stands us out. Also, our creativity and how we interpret songs help us stand out. We might play the same song another band is singing but you’ll definitely get a different feel when rockers band handle the music because of how we interpret sounds and our musical arrangements. Also, our ability to compose songs and write our own songs is also one of the characteristics that stand us out from other bands.”
Over the years, he has collaborated with and shared the stage with top artistes such as; Shuga, Beejay Sax, Psalmos, and many others who featured in his first debut album, “Expression”, in 2015 with hit songs such as, “Sinmile” and “Ori Mi”. Having composed songs in English, and Yoruba languages, his talent infuses a cultural intersection into the international music industry. With listeners across the globe, his music has aided the acceptance of African Languages in Western climes.
Adesanmi released two more albums after his debut album “Expression”. His latest singles, released not long ago, “Osuba” and “Serio Live” have received great attention in the media space, with ample airplay across various radio stations in Nigeria. The majority of his music is sung in local dialects and the manner in which he expresses his music is unique to the people of Nigeria.
Sanmi Michael has proven himself to be world-class, performing for prominent Nigerians such as Nigerian businessman, real estate magnate, and philanthropist Sir Olu Okeowo as well as performing at events organized by top organisations and corporations within and outside the nation such as; International Brewery, Multichoice, Nigerian Brewery, SAMSUNG, to name a few.
In an exclusive interview with City People Head of TV, SUNDAY ADIGUN, Sanmi Micheal reveals how he started singing at the age of 6. Excerpts.
What have you done so far, in terms of records, and tracks?
My first album was released in 2014, called Expression, it’s a gospel album that is on all digital platforms. After that, three years ago, I released a medley of cut-across music for parties, because we do party as well, I called it Rockers Band Party Jams. The name of my band is called Rockers Band. After that, people enjoy it and they wanted more, so we did another one and called it EOE, Elite Owambe, it cut across. Last year I did a concert, called “Peek My Sound” with Sanmi Micheal and Friends, and it was successful. It was an overdue thing that I have been trying to do, I believe God wanted it to happen last year, it happened and it was very beautiful, I have been a gospel artiste, and aside from singing cut across types of music, there are songs that I personally like, but when people like you, there is some kind of sounds they want to listen to you, there are different type of music, but there is a uniqueness that they find in you. And that “Peek My Sound” is what I stand for, the kind of music that I do, and the kind of music that I want to do, I was able to do a survey and found out that this is what the audience wants to listen to. “Peek My Sound” comprises four or five new songs that are mine, “Mokore, Excuse Me” and Kolori Ma Kulewe, and medley of Emi Yo Dupe, because when I sing it people really like it, it’s an existing song.
Sanmi Michael
Is there anything you are currently working on?
Yes, I released a song called Osuba, then I did another one serio not quite long and the acceptance was overwhelming, then I want to release another one called Mokore, I did it in “Peek My Sound”, it was the live version and I want to do the digital version, studio version. Recently, I look back and felt like I should thank God every time.
I listen to most of the songs I have done in the past, including the first album, the party jams, and the Owambe EOE, and I brought out some of the songs that are mine, I didn’t really push the first album but people are actually requesting for it saying “these songs, why can’t you put them together, so I did a compilation of there songs and called it “My Praise Expression”, which will be ready in a week by God’s grace. I did the studio version of “Peek My Sound” as well. It will be ready in the next week as well
How did music start for Sanmi?
According to what my parents told me, as soon as I knew how to talk, then I knew how to sing, when I begin to talk, I talk through music. My grandfather was a musician, but he was unable to do music because we came from a royal family, even my father was a musician too, he did music with Ebenezer Obey, but he was unable to form a band. There are a lot of songs that my father composed, he just did take music professionally because of the royal background. I took it from them, it’s hereditary. Since I knew myself, I have been singing. Then at the age of 6, I was in the adult choir, not children’s choir, and the type of church I was born to, Zion music, has been part of me.
I studied Accounting but I was unable to even practice Accounting, as soon as I finished my diploma in Accounting, I fell back to music, yes we do other business but at the same time music is the main thing I do and God has been with us.
So officially, how many years?
Over two decades.
What has been your experience so far, let’s talk about how you metamorphosed into a big brand now and what have been the challenges you faced in the early stage of your career.
We thank God, God has been good, and nothing comes easy as everybody use to say. I started from the choir, my parents moved from Lagos to Osun State, so I join Anglican Choir because my grandparent’s church was Anglican. So from Church Orchestra. In the year 2001, we formed a band, called Ade’s Band with my siblings. My first event was in 2002 in Osun State, after that I took the recording home and my father commended it, he said you did well, but you did too many songs, allowing the musicians to enjoy themselves and at the same time, look for what is happening around you turn it to music. After that, in 2006, I moved back to Lagos. In 2008 I did a song called Rock Rock, which was my first music video, it was produced by Samclef, and it was during the time Wizkid released “Pakurumo”.
During that time, I had a Manager named Taiwo, in the year 2009, he called me and said why can’t you call the name, of your band “Rockers Band”, you have a song already that is called rock rock”, that was how we carved the name Rockers Band. Ever since I have worked with a lot of people, I have worked 3 or 4 times with Sugar Band, I have worked with Femi Mikah, Big Bolaji, Beejay Sax, and Tosin Alao.
For a young boy at 18 that started such a big career, and to the stage that you are now an icon. What has life taught you?
Rome wasn’t built in a day, and there is something I learned from my career, even from my father and some men of God. One thing a man must first find out is to know his calling, be contented and follow the process, don’t jump into it. I have made my own mistake, it wasn’t too rough but it also wasn’t too easy.
What were the mistakes you made?
There are times when I make mistakes and I learn from them, I just can’t begin to mention them, and I am the kind of person who believes that God loves me especially.
Was there any time you were told that you have the call of God upon your life?
Like I told you, I think special. One thing I know from my own experience, every musician that sings inspirational music that touches lives, I think they are Prophet, talks of Sunny Ade, Ebenezer Obey, King Wasiu, Maje Fashek, or Bob Marley, irrespective of the type of song they do, they see beyond… Any good musician doesn’t just talk, it depends on how you get inspiration, even if they write songs for you, you still have to create a melody, and put yourself in that song to express yourself.
How do you receive your own inspiration?
At times, I hear it from God, from dreams, and from things around me.
Is there anything you are working on?
I have a body of work coming up, and Peek My Sound II Concert is coming this year, by the grace of God.
