Two Sundays back, City People Magazine celebrated its 22nd anniversary at the Balmoral Hall, Oregun, in Ikeja. And on the bandstand was Fuji star, Pasuma whose name is Wasiu Alabi Pasuma. Dressed in an all-white ensemble Paso stormed the venue in a glittering white Range Rover and thrilled his guests to no end for hours.
Before he went on stage, Paso spent quality time with the City People team outside the hall during which he spoke about City People and his own life as a fuji star.
In this holds barred interview, he spoke about all the things you don’t know about him. And declared that as far why he is single it is because he has chosen to remain single for now. “Right now, I am committed to my music career,” he explained. He also spoke about why he loves City People. Read on. It is interesting…
You and City People, you have come a long way. What can you say about the magazine?
City People is one of the biggest soft-sell magazines in Nigeria, in Africa. We are celebrating the 22nd anniversary of the magazine today. I just want to say a big thank you for everybody that have been reading City People, and a big thank you to every fan who has been watching us, as they push City People to where they are today. Thank you, everybody. And I will like to thank City People as well for their support on every musician. They have pushed us to where we are today. When ‘we’ were nobody, they came to us for an interview for people to know something good was happening to us. So, I say happy anniversary. I wish you success.
How did you get to know City People Magazine: was it as a result of a story written about you or what?
I was in their office because my Manager worked with them, Afolabi Oyekoya. That was about 16 to 17 years ago. I was in their office and I met Oga (Publisher), and he said this is Pasuma and he asked me to sit down. He was so humbled and everything about him was so simple. So he had one on one interview with me that day, If a publisher like him could interview you, that means you are important because many do send their reporters to conduct the interview. That interview was tagged “One on one with the Publisher” I was so excited when I saw myself in the magazine. I said wow, because this is the same magazine Saraki, Atiku are been featured. I was so excited that year and since then, we have been friends and we have been doing business together.
You don’t look 50! What is the secret?
It’s the grace of God. I gym and I choose what I eat: I don’t just eat; any food.
You have been able to reposition Fuji music away from where we used to see it and you have also been able to fuse English genre into your style. How were you able to do that?
I try as much as possible to deviate from where I am coming from.
And I also need to bring out the versatility in me. I could remember vividly in 1996 when Kenny Ogungbe and D1, they came to me and said Pasuma we want you to give permission to Remedy to use your song which is ‘Orobokibo’. After that, they featured me in their song “Jealousy’. So that was how things started changing for good. I can say categorically that I’m the first Fuji artiste to feature for any hip-hop artiste in Nigeria. So I started it. Hip-Hop music is trending everywhere. The like of Whizkid, Olamide, Davido are doing well but my genre is different from them.
I came from the Fuji genre of Dr Sikiru Ayinde Barrister of the blessed memory. He was a great fuji musician and he has done so much for us. Alhaji Kollington Ayinla is doing well, as well and K1 D Ultimate has changed the face of fuji music. So, me I’m trying my own too to blend it.
You did a song with Tiwa Savage and that song (Iyawo) was everywhere and you had about 20 artistes on that track. how did you do that?
It’s part of what I was saying; the versatility.
Where did you get your inspiration from?
The inspiration is about what can you do, and I bring it out myself.
Is anything you are working on?
My second hip-hop album; it’s coming out very soon.
If it wasn’t music, what would you have done?
I could have been a Journalist. Seriously, I could have been a journalist!. I like the profession. When I was in Ogun State Polytechnic, MAPOLY around 1992/93 with Dele Taiwo and Femi Davies, journalism was something everybody was so proud of. People were so proud to be a journalist. So I liked being a journalist.
You have been able to rebrand your music, your brand, and including you speak English. How were you able to do all that?
It’s God and the people around me. When you are ready to learn you will be calm to people. If you are not calm you won’t get (understand) what they teach you. It’s because I’m ready to learn and also, I think where music is going to, it would be good for me to stand anywhere and prove myself.
We know you share a strong bond with your mum. What is that thing you remember about your mum and it brings tears to your eyes?
The bond between mum and son or mum and daughter is not easy to break. Talking about mother now, she was there when you were crawling. She was there when you were crying. She was there when you were struggling to become someone and when you become someone. You also need to reciprocate all the care; like giving back to her.
Can you remember one thing she has done that brings tears to your face whenever you remember?
No! No!!. I don’t want to cry!
When is Pasuma getting married?
Everybody wants to know when Pasuma wants to get married! I have been saying this! My work is my wife.
What is your ideal woman?
I’m a simple person. I go for good things.
How do you rest?
I watch TV I’m an indoor person. If I don’t have a show I don’t go out. I’m an indoor person. I love to watch football and India movies.
What’s your favourite food?
Rice, Plantain with stew.
What is your favourite colour?
White and my favourite wristwatch is Rolex.
When is your next album (hip-hop) coming out?
My hip hop album is coming out next year March or April. While my fuji album is December.
How many albums do you have so far?
52 albums.
How many time do you perform in a week?
4 times a week. Thursday to Sunday.
How many shows have you done this year?
I did 158 shows last year and have done more this year.
