What brought you to Music?
I can’t really say this is what brought me into music but come to think of it, God has been faithful to me because right from my childhood I have always wanted to sing even when I did not realize or know the weight and power of inbuilt talent planted inside of me by GOD . I started from my village church choir as a soprano singer, indeed it is amazing to me and I still can’t unravel why I am into music.
A lot of people enjoy your music; what is the name of your style of music?
Wow! thanks for the observation; our style of music is folk- irrespective of tribe or language coming straight from the root.
You are the leader of the all women group Adunni and Nefretiti, Why all women and what does this stands for?
Women in all categories young or old do have dreams and talents too, some have died with it, some still live with it without being able to utilize or experiment as they wish, some are using it but no encouragement from their husbands, family and the society of ours. We are human, no hard feelings, this is not all about competition or threat, we have purpose beyond kitchen, child bearing and being a wife or mother, we want to be heard and be fulfilled positively in life, physically and spiritually. Women have fought and conquered (Madam Olufunmilayo Ransome kuti, Queen Amina, Mary Slessor, Moremi Ajaasoro etc). We have women holding high posts in churches, mosques, companies, etc, they have represented well and they are still representing. We represent womanhood because we stand for love, peace, harmony, truth, justice, dignity, integrity, honor, humility, nobility, unity, creativity, family, Nation and so on and so forth.
Your group is only made up of women with captivating a Capella and hand percussion, how did you choose them or can anyone just walk in for trials and then join?
Thank you for the compliments. You cannot just walk in for trials and then join the group NO WAY, before we bring in a new member we call for audition which is done once or twice a year but for few years back now we have no reason to call for audition because the present members are committed, stable, steady, regular, devoted, focus and each and every one of them have spent nothing less than four years in the group. Although, we do a kind of NGO whereby we train public primary schools in African music, folklore songs, oral poetry and many more, it is our own contribution to the society, discovering them young and make them useful to their school and for their own future, we do not retain them in the group.
Which country have you been to with your music?
I have been to almost all the countries in Europe with the world famous Afro-beat drummer Tony Allen, besides, I was in Itan Oginnitin done in local language (Yoruba) directed by Wole Oguntokun for London 2013 Olympic at Shakespeare globe, but with Adunni & Nefretiti we have been to London and USA.
How would you rate your acceptance in the places where you have performed?
I cannot describe it, it is no joke - it was AWESOME. African culture is much more appreciated and valued over there. I am proud to be an African.
How many awards have you received and what do they stand for?
We have received four awards, Mother drum by Ayanbinrin, Yomafa by Gbenga Leo, Royal star by Femi Tade and NANTAP (National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners) (Lagos chapter headed by Faith Eboigbe). The awards stands for hard work, encouragement to press further and not to be distracted, a symbol of support and appreciation for us as a group and for our fans.
When you started this group; did you ever thought you will go this far?
I’ll say yes and no. My yes is this, what I like about Nigerians is that you can’t package rubbish for them, they love, appreciate and support good things, so for our vocal ability and delivery they have listened to us several times at different occasions, they have made constructive criticism and positive suggestions for the growth of the group - in that aspect we are safe. My No is the appearance and continuity, I asked myself and my family million questions at a time like how do we look? How do we archive and source for repertoires? How do I manage my members, my manager/ personal assistant, the dancers and the drummers, coming from different homes and having different mentality/orientation? Who is our audience? How do we dazzle our audience with good performances at all times? How do we sustain and finance the group? what is our target? the ultimate is how do I relate and maintain my relationship with my clients by giving them value for their money in all our performances? To God be the glory the rest is history, we clocked 8 years this year February 28th, the yoke of ‘’how’’ is broken, we are pressing forward in HIS GLORY.
Finally, Where would you like to see your group in the future?
Being an emotional and spiritual person, my philosophy about the future is this; as a living being we dream, we fantasize, we have visions and all sorts of -but as soon as the breath is taking from us we become dead and many vision is buried- so, in Nefretiti we allow the supreme being OLODUMARE, THE GOD ALMIGHTY who owns the breath and future to have HIS way, to lead/guide/guard us as a group/ company and we follow because with HIM our future is great. Thank you for your time,
Album Wish your group all the best.
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