Baba Nee, born Adewale Alani Kayode is the singer of the Sound track of the popular Funke Akindele Flick, "Omo Ghetto". And after having a long trip out of Lagos to meet the Osun State born act, he was happy to open up on a number of pending issues. He spoke to us about growing up and how he meet the C.E.O of Stingomenia, Mr. Ope Banwo and how he got the deal to do the song for the popular flick. He also spoke about the most important things in his life and were he hope to be in the next few year. Excerpts.
Let's meet you, who is Baba Nee?
My name is Adewale Alani Kayode, my stage name is Baba Nee and my a.k.a name is Omo Ghetto, twice as Nice, any how you call it. I was born in Ila Orogun, that is in Osun State. I stayed in Mushin for some time then I moved to Ogun State. I actually shuttle the two states for now. I attended Saint Lewise primary school and later to Jubril Martin's High school. Then Moshood Abiola Polytechnic Abeokuta to study Mass Communications. But I had to drop out because of some things relating to finances. And them music as well. I started music since when I was young, but I started professionally, let's say Thirteen years ago. My first track was with a group called "Those boy's". My first hit track was "Hip hop flenjo" with Obesere. And the album I did myself was called "Twice as 9ice". And I have alot of tracks in it. That's all I can say for now about myself.
You went into music leaving school. Am sure you will not have it funny with you parents. What were there re-actions?
Especially my Dad, he wasn't in support of my music career, I only have my mother on my side. So I still have to do things on my own and run arround with friends to get things done. They helped me alot, they encourage me to keep on, like Eddy Quest my very close friend. It's not easy when you have parents who do not belive in what you do. Expecially when you have a dad that wants you in school at all cost. But with the help of my friends and some people who had supported me, and that is why it is a bit easy now as it is.
Your father must be a deciplinarian. What dose he do for a living?
My dad use to work with a law firm. Not as a lawyer and later moved to to NESTLE foods. He didn't have the kind of opportunity he had wanted, I mean to study futher beyond what he had. And due to that, he wanted his children to go futher than him. And that I think this warranted his actions of going against my musical career. And, I understand, but as faith will have it, I just have to be on the street making music and moving on with life. That is the kind of father I have.
Talking about your first album, how did it go. Cause I remember your first hit track with Obesere. What was the response then. You just went down just like that?
Then, I was in a group. And alot of people really love the group thing. But now, that I have my album, alot of people really love it as well. But the reall commercial album is not yet out. We only have the international version which we sell at the rate of One Thousand Naira. But very soon, we should be out with the cheaper version of the album which should cost like Two Hundred Naira. In the international version, I have Sixteen tracks. But the Nigerian version will have Twelve tracks. And with the responce I have had so far, I think alot of people love the album and have no regreat that they bought the album or wasted their One Thousand Naira.
And how did you get to meet Mr. Ope Banwo, the C.E.O of Stingomenia. Because he use to be a business man, a pastor then he devled into full entertainment and a seasoned lawyer as well?
I got to meet him when he was with Dove Media. That was when I got to meet him. I met him through a friend's brother. And I got signed into his record Label along side,Konga,DJ Zeez, Midnight Crew, and Lakan Skillzs. That was in 2004 on Stingomenia Records, not Dove Media. We were actually the foundation member of the Label. He later travelled out of the country for sometime. But whwn he came back to the country, I connected with him again because my contract with him was still on. And we have to start from where we stopped.
When he went abroad and others left the company to futher their recording business, why didn't you also move on with your career. Why do you have to wait?
One thing about them then was that they were single acts on the label, while I was in a group of "Those boys" then. You know what ever you do in a group is binding by the law. It was very difficult for me to break out of the group because of the contract. And then, I was actually the only one that wanted to leave the group and it was so hard for me. Things was also difficult for me then. Talking about Konga, he was the only act then, his music was already going to places then and that is "Tiwon si konga". DJ Zeez too was already making an head way with his song titled "Same Ni". Unlike the group, our songs dosen't even have that much leverage and finding a record label too to sign me on, wasn't also going to be easy because of the group thing and that was why I have to wait. And I think it's worth waiting for.
And how are you able to free yourself from your group. Was there a break up or something?
No, there was never a break up nor a fight. When something that bounded you together got broken or finished, then yo have to go seperate ways. We all have to part ways for a solo career. Boddy of "Those boys", a member of the defunct group, is still with me. Heart, also a member of the group has his own recording label now and all that. Nothing happened we all just come to that conclusion and agreement of dissolving the group and opted for a solo career after our contract expired.
Your song twice as 9ice, which is also the hit song on your debut album, you also shot the video seems to have been directed to a popular singer,9ice. How true is that?
One thing I don't want to talk about is the video because of some things. Because they say what you is beyound you is already a bey gone. You have already gone beyound it. And when you want to shot any video, the director already have a concept about the video after listening to the song. I did not directed the video. It was Ope Banwo who directed the video according to the song. And what I was trying to say in the song is that I am twice as 9ice. That I am better than 9ice and that is what I he was trying to do with the video. And if anybody try to attach any importance with the video or the song, or it is too confrontational, then so be it. I am just doing my thing. But I do not want to go deep into it. That is all I want to say about it.
But have you ever had any personal relationship with him at any point in time?
I won't want to go deep into that, But we had. During a talent hunt, then when every body was still hustling. Then it was also with also my friend, Eddyquest. And that is why you hear Eddyquest saying "Oto" underground in the song. I think it is along story and I also do not want people to start thinking I want to rid on his fame as well. I want to be on my own and that is why you hear several inspirational songs on the album like "Ori","Omo ghetto", "Jawon si" and all that. I have to come from different angle and I thank God I did not make my fame from the former album, "Twice as 9ice". I made it through "Omo Ghetto" and people will know that I am for real and twice as 9ice. That was why I really don't want to go back to that. But time will tell who is better than who.
But is Omo Ghetto an album and how did you get the right to sing for the movie?
Let me put it this way. Funke Akindele is managed by Stingomenia and I am also an act under the same management. And when ever we are having a get together or a party, she normally comes arround and see my performances and all that. So she saw it in me that I have the skills and could actually do somethings for her and that was it. She later called me and told me about it and I said it's alright by me. She brought the CD to me and she expected a song to the effect. And that was how I went to the studio to record the song after several sleepless night of composition.
The flim was still raw or complited at the point she brought the CD?
No, it wasn't a complete film them. It was still raw, uneditied. And I had to create the kind of song that will go with the film. And that was how I got to know Funke Akindele and she actually discussed it with my our boss. I just have to do the job. Omo Ghetto" is one of the tracks on my album, if not the titled of my album.
And what are the challenges so far?
Alot of challenges. The one I am facing now is going out with friends and people keep asking what I don't have or expecting some certain things from you. And you just have to give it to them. I don't even have a private life any more. I can't buy those things I buy on the street any more and even walk freely on the street as I use to. Especially those guys on the street called ghetto boys, they also want to get something from their boy as well. And you just have to give it to them and those were the challenges am facing right now.
You dropped out of school because of your love for music and other constrains, when are you going back to finish what you started?
Any time soon.I couldn't finish my National Diploma but this year is not gone. If not this year, next year will surely be. It's just that I can't combine the two together, but once am settle down a bit, then I will be back in school. Not even now that my songs are going places.
And how do you intend to combine the two together, if not the three. I mean fame, school and your music career?
If you watch me closely I was born in the ghetto, and I grew up in the ghetto. I can justle it together. We have other acts too in schools who combine the three. I will be the student while in class and I will be the singer outside of school. No problem about that.
And how do you handle female admires?
well, as it is, I have Mama Nee, one. I have more than one hundred but you know they all start from number one. And what ever you want to do with the female fans' you know you have to be very careful. There is a way I do it, that you do not just fall into traps. But with God all things are possible. You just have to do somethings and make your fans happy.
How would you discrib yourself with your looks?
I am a cool headed mind. But my looks most of the time confuse people. One things about me inside is that I am hard. I respect every body but I am not afride of anybody. I am jentle but if anyone find my trouble, I will give it double. You will know through my music, I mention names, I don't look at faces. hat is the kind of person I am.
And where do you see yourself in the next five year's?
The Five years is too much. I think I have a collaboration with Mochhedah and I also have another song with Charly boy coming out soon by next month. And I will also be having sows all over the country and outside the country too. And you know when music grows, things happen fast. And the kind of jobs that I have done and is yet to be released, I give myself one year, I will be every where.
What project are you working on at the moment?
It's a movie titled "Talent Hunt". After the Dagrin movie, the "Talent Hunt" will be finished. The movie is all about me and my life. How I grew up, childhood and all that. Then talking about all acts on Stingomenia, theor life and all about them as well will also feature. And that is what I am working on now. Because my second album is also ready for the market.
What is your philosophy of life?
I love the bible. And Rome 8 verses 1-8 has been my philosophy. I can say the lines as it is now but I will say it talks about hearing two sides of story before taking conclusion. If God says no condemnation about me then why do we have to condem me. No star act want to help the up and coming and that is why I call everyone everybody star coming.It has happened to me and am sure it would have happened to others and that is why I have stood alone.
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