Why I am moving to hip-hop – Famous fuji music star

 Abass Akande Obesere is a popular fuji musician who has joined other fuji stars like Saheed Osupa and Wasiu Alabi Pasuma in their embrace of hip-hop

– The singer recently collaborated with rapper Olamide on a single Ebele Suwa

– NAIJ.com caught up with Obesere on the set of the music video for the single

Obesere

Why have you chosen to try your hands on hip-hop?

This is just a perfect response to critics who thinks I can’t do anything aside from fuji music. I’m a

very versatile artist. I’ve done it in the past by trying to be dynamic in my fuji style. I inject what people will like to hear and dance to. But times are changing, hip-hop seems the selling thing at the moment one has to join the movement to maintain his relevance in the music industry. It is just a means of satisfying my fans. Believe me if music turn itself to anything you will meet me there; I’m not joking with it. I’m a musician not just a fuji artiste. If another brand of music takes over tomorrow, you will be surprised Obesere will still feature there.

Why Olamide over other hip-hop artists?

If you call Olamide my son, no wahala. But I have always seen him as a colleague. He is so good at what he does and a rave of the moment. The likes of Reminisce and Lord of Ajasa too are my guys. We’ve worked together in the past and we might still work. I’m working with other artists too it’s a new season for me and I’m exploring the hip-hop market just hold on. I’m more like a father figure to most of these acst. If you remember Olamide on his introductory track, Eni Duro, he said something like: “Mole ta pon pon bi Obesere, Baba Tosibe.” He has been a very good guy since way back so I contacted him to do a duet and he obliged that was what gave birth to this tune.

With this venture into hip-hop music, are you quitting fuji music?

‎I’m still doing fuji music just trying to be a professional at music and prove my capability. Right now, people listen to hip-hop more so I’ve got to join them. Come to think of it, 80 per cent of the so-called hip-hop music has some infusion of Yoruba language to make them melodious and the language is the strength of most fuji songs. So why can’t I dabble into it to prove my musical talents? That’s not to say I’m leaving fuji, it’s part of me and I’m proud of it.

So after Olamide, who are you looking to work with next and what are we expecting from you?

My 18 tracker hip-hop album is in the works and will be out any moment from now. I’m not playing with anyone. I appreciate my fans a lot. Without them there will be no me. I’ve always listened to them, I love them. I know they will demand for another hip-hop artiste after this and I promise to deliver their demands to them. So, I need not tell who will be featuring next on my track let the fans demand.

Why choose Dr. B to direct your video?

I believe in drama and I’m sure Dr. B is a professional at it, going by his previous works. This video shoot is not a one day Mainland shoot. Tomorrow is Day 2 we are gonna add some drama. We met in the UK and now he has left his base in UK to explore Nigerian market watch out for the video you will see what I’m talking about.