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LATEEF OLAYIWOLA (LARRY) Tells Metropolis Individuals
Lateef Olayiwola, popularly often called Larry, is without doubt one of the Afro Reggae performing artists whose love for music has endured via the ages. He has been within the music scene way back to 1988 and nonetheless waxing stronger.
On this interview with Metropolis Individuals Head of TV, SUNDAY ADIGUN, veteran Afro Reggae maestro, Larry revealed how he began his music profession in 1988.
How did your journey into Afro Reggae music begin?
I studied music from the College of Lagos, I’ve a certificates in music as a result of my dad and mom insisted that I will need to have a certificates from someplace, so I went to Unilag to get a certificates and I learnt from the street facet additionally. I learnt from the late Peter Kings, even Fusi (three Section) I began studying saxophone and since then I’ve been taking part in right here and there, simply because I mixed research with music, it was not straightforward for me to simply go straight as a musician into music, as a result of I wanted time to learn my books and go exams.
So what number of years now have you ever been into music?
It’s fairly some time. I’ve been within the music scene for way back to 1987/1988. My dad and mom insisted I get a certificates from a recognised establishment, so I attended College of Lagos and obtained a certificates in Music and another {qualifications}.
Earlier than then, I used to be in London however was pressured again residence attributable to a regulation handed by former Navy President Ibrahim Babangida which affected our research in England. I got here residence with the intention to supply for funds and be part of the Military. However, sadly, I used to be rejected within the Military. That was after I began to play music
“However my late mom insisted I’m going to high school, and immediately I’ve many levels. However music stays my first and solely love which has endured via the years. With music, I’ve an ideal remainder of thoughts. I received a Diploma in Legislation from the College of Lagos (UNILAG). I attempted to go for my diploma however they rejected me due to my coiffure, dreadlocks, which was not a typical sight again then. I received offended and went to the Lagos State College (LASU) to check Historical past and Worldwide Relations as a result of I turned inquisitive and wished to know what historical past has to say about God. I used to be nonetheless doing my music however my mum stated I couldn’t cease there, that I needed to do extra. She was making an attempt to push me away from music as a result of they believed music was for the dregs of society, and never for folks of our standing.
“I went again to UNILAG for my Masters in Historical past and Strategic Research. After this, my mum urged me to affix politics, however I stated no. She then stated I ought to return to high school, and so I went to the College of Ibadan (UI) to check Historical past. At present I’ve an MPhil in Historical past. Sadly, my mum died early this 12 months from most cancers.”
Had been you the one which left the military?
No, I used to be not taken.
Sir what was the complain?
There was nothing it’s simply that in Nigeria its man know man, in case your type is just not signed by a Navy Colonel or Main, the probabilities of you getting in could be very slim. That was what occurred.
Sir your journey from 1988 to this time what has life taught you?
Life has taught me quite a lot of classes, as a result of I’ve listened to quite a lot of artists, folks like Bob Marley, Peter contact, U Roy, I Roy, most of them from Jamaica I like some African American musicians too, like Barry White, Michael Jackson, Teddy Pendagras, and many them.
And even our youths right here in Nigeria, all of us love Fela, Fela got here out with Jeun Ko’ku, Chop and Quench. So all of us love Fela’s music. And since then I’ve been education, I went to Unilag, except for the certificates in music, I did a diploma in Legislation from Unilag, from there I transfer to Lasu as a result of the regulation division in Unilag, stated I ought to minimize my dreadlock and be part of the division however I refused.
So I needed to go to Lasu, on attending to Lasu, I studied Historical past and Worldwide research, I received a level from there and went again to Unilag to go and do Masters in Historical past and strategic research. Presently, I’m doing my Phd in Nigeria.
What number of albums do it’s important to your credit score now?
I’ve 8 albums available in the market.
Which one shot Larry into the limelight?
I can’t say this one as a result of I like all my tracks, like I’ve a particular love for every observe. And I’ve so many too, there’s the one I name “Time for varsity” which I did for kids.
There are such a lot of, I’ve the one for politicians, for the plenty, I’ve so many.
However the one I like greatest Is that this Village proof as a result of it’s actually good for folks to try to develop the villages as a substitute of everybody desirous to be within the metropolis and dwelling simply anyhow within the metropolis. You’ll be able to go to the village and reside like a king, you may get acres of land and get on together with your life as a substitute of paying exorbitant hire in Lagos and making an attempt to die right here in Lagos.
What’s your take within the political system in Nigeria?
I did an album for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, he’s one in every of my fan and I like him and have been a die arduous member of APC, I’ve been shifting and following Tinubu, if he’s in AC, I will likely be in AC, if it’s AG, I will likely be in AG, now he’s in APC so I’m in APC.
Truly, Basic Obasanjo actually promoted Tinubu, as a result of he stated what he did to Tinubu in 1999, if he did it to different governors they’d not survive it. In order that made me to assume that there’s a lot on this man’s mind. He’s a gifted particular person and that if he may stand up to such hardship and survived. And Lagos State at the moment was adjudge the perfect developed state in Nigeria. I subsequently reasoned that if this man is given an opportunity to be the President, he can do wonders for Nigeria.
Let’s speak about your trade, would you say this was the way you guys began? What are the adjustments you will have skilled or what do you assume must be achieved to get it working?
The music trade in Nigeria is rising, it’s like saying it’s simply arising, due to quite a lot of issues. In these days we used to do solely Reggae music, high-life and Juju music. Rapidly Fuji got here up, swiftly you now have hip pops all over the place. music is all the time music, folks simply love music, you can’t do something with out music, music is life.
The entire world will likely be boring with out music. if you happen to take away music from events, the happiness and cheerfulness is not going to be there. Music makes folks really feel joyful.
And in all church buildings world-wide they play Reggae music, that’s what they play in church buildings. Should you hearken to them you’ll hear that Reggae strike, as a result of God loves music, Jehovah loves music that’s why.
However with Pman, Pman will simply reorganize itself, and encourage different musicians inside its fold to develop individually.
What’s the way forward for Afro-Reggae sound?
The way forward for Afro-Reggae sound is nice and I feel most musicians in Nigeria will begin taking part in Afro-Reggae, as a result of it’s a music vigorous and enjoyable. It has dancers, and it is rather wealthy in Africa Tradition, it’s a very good danceable music, it’s superb. Wherever we carry out folks all the time love us to return again once more.
Thanks a lot on your time sir.
And I owe all the pieces to my late mother Olori Muibat Olayinka Oyefuse, She actually helped in bringing me up, to the place I’m now.
Thanks very a lot sir.
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