– NAIJ.com chats exclusively with Ade Bantu and he speaks passionately on a number of interesting subjects from women to music and whatnot
– The Nigerian-German entertainer is also currently involved in movie projects and he sheds light on his latest film appearance and the theme around it
– The versatile performer also spoke on growing trends in Nigerian entertainment, his political views and more
Renowned musician and producer Ade Bantu has been a prominent figure in African entertainment for over a decade, as far as quality and exportable sounds are concerned.
It has been an interesting experience for the 44-year-old Nigeria-German entertainer and activist famed for fusing Afro sounds with catchy German music elements, as well as creating the 12-piece band Bantu.
His album, Fuji Satisfaction, from 2005 was critically acclaimed and widely received by critics in Nigeria and the diaspora. It is still a favourite in many circles.
Now slightly into another faction of entertainment, which is acting, NAIJ.com caught up with Ade Bantu at a location in Lagos and he opened up on a host of subjects regarding his music career, his new-found passion in acting and his brainchild Afropolitan Vibes, among other things.
Ade Bantu during a performance
According to Adegoke ‘Bantu’ Odukoya, doing business in an environment lacking proper structure such as Nigeria is a pain, but he has managed to succumb the limitations before him in order to remain a key player in the volatile Nigerian entertainment industry.
The entertainer also spoke about his recent appearance in the Nollywood movie 8 Bars And A Clef, the new Bantu album in the works, politics and more.
Read on below:
What’s been happening and how’s the transition been for your career over the last few years?
Nothing much has changed for me in the past years. I still record. I perform regularly with my band BANTU, I’ve been doing some TV as well as producing a monthly concert series called Afropolitan Vibes since 2013. I am also involved in a cinema documentary film called Elders Corner. It’s the history of Nigeria told through the works and lives of its musical icons
Great. What are the challenges you have faced so far as an entertainer/ music entrepreneur?
Working in an environment like Nigeria, which lacks structure when it comes to the music business, has been challenging but I love challenges. I see them as opportunities to discover more about my hidden potentials and how to overcome my fears.
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How did you come about the idea of Afropolitan Vibes and how did the switch go from being an artiste to that?
The idea of Afropolitan Vibes was to create a live music platform for artists to perform original works. Every third Friday of the month we invite three artists to join my 13-piece band BANTU on stage at Freedom Park, Lagos. We rehearse beforehand to ensure everyone is on the same page. It’s a seamless three-hour show. So far we have had over 140 artists [come perform] at our show.
What was (or is) the process of making music like for you? How do you zone out and get into that creative state of mind?
I don’t need to be in a particular zone to be creative. Melodies, ideas, words come to me while I’m cooking, taking a shower or sweating in traffic.
File photo of Ade Bantu and German president Joachim Gauck
Afropolitan Vibes has been successful over time, are we expecting other projects of this sort from you in the near future?
A new Bantu album is in the works. It will be released sometime this year. We [also] have a movie project that we are involved in and we’ll be touring as a 13-piece band [soon].
Tell us about your role in the movie 8 Bars And A Clef, the inspiration behind it and the challenges you faced during the filming and all. How does it feel being in the movie and have you done anything similar in the past?
The character I play is very abusive and manipulative. Not really the kind of person you’d like to be friends with but it was fun exploring him. Chioma the director contacted me, I auditioned and we took things from there. It was my first Nigerian movie production experience.
Tell us all we should know about 8 Bars, shed some light on the theme of the movie and the major lessons for the audience.
The movie centers around a young man’s coming of age. It deals with his [condition called] dyslexia, [which is] a learning disability and how he overcomes the stigmas attached to it. He is also an aspiring musician so there is a lot of music and the challenges you face as an artists.
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How would you rate the growth of the music industry in Nigeria today especially with the achievements from Wizkid, Davido and others?
I am happy for all the young talented artists that are getting international fame and acclaim. It shows we have something to offer, what is important though is that all this young acts put in the work both in the studio and on stage to ensure they don’t end up wrecking their careers.
Do you think the music industry in Nigeria is maximizing enough potentials from the talents we have today? How about piracy and distribution channels for our music, what do you have to say?
Since most of the music is being downloaded online and CD sales have declined, there is now an opening to distribute your music digitally without having to go through the marketers in Alaba. The challenges are that it is very cost intensive to break an artist in Nigeria. The amount needed to promote an average newcomer can run into millions of Naira. Since there are very few labels with structures in place to develop talent and manage them properly, only a selected few are given an opportunity. To compound the problem, financiers are only willing to invest in bankable artists. There is no room for musicians who are not following current trends. Therefore the whole music sounds like one endless loop of the same song.
What do you think needs to be done to structure record labels in the country and do you think artistes should go on a solo pursuit of their music because labels aren’t structured in Nigeria?
You need proper training. You cannot open a label just because you can afford to or because you are passionate. You have to understand the business of the music business. You need to understand marketing, artist management, music publishing, merchandise, touring etc. The major problem also is since there are no existing structures in place everyone is forced to be a promoter, label, management, music publisher… There are virtually no specialists, no companies dedicated to specific aspects of the industry.
What are your personal ideas and strategies towards curbing piracy in the Nigerian entertainment industry?
Nigerian artists are their own worst enemies. You cannot be selling your music on iTunes while you are giving it away for free to all kinds of bloggers and free music download sites just because you want to be famous and have a hit. It is contra productive. Producing music, rehearsals, your staff and crew, music videos all of these cost money. The idea that all you need is a hit and some company will come calling with an endorsement deal is shortsighted.
File photo of Ade Bantu
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How about the government and other regulatory bodies, are they doing enough for the industry?
As a Nigerian I have learnt to expect nothing from my government. Yes we have appropriate copy right laws in place but they are not being implemented. Most regulatory bodies are jokers. They only serve their selfish interest, artists’ rights are not on their agenda. Those at the helms of affairs just want to make a killing for themselves.
What is style to you and how have you managed to craft an identity for your brand fashion-wise?
Style is being true to yourself and how you feel in a particular moment. Trends come and go.
What informs your sense of style?
The determination fearlessly explore me.
How have you managed to stay scandal-free in your career given the amount of limelight and scrutiny there is in the industry?
To be honest I don’t make a conscious effort, I just try to stay grounded and not take myself too seriously. I also don’t surround myself with friends and associates who are yes-men. I have been rolling with the same crew for years.
What are the five greatest misconceptions people have about Nigerian celebrities particularly musicians?
No idea. People always have misconceptions when you don’t fit into the 9-to-5 job structure
Does being a celebrity affect marriages and relationships in negative ways, especially for musicians and entertainers?
What you need is a supportive, secure and sincere partner who sees you for who you are. Once you become a canvas for all kinds of celebrity projections, then you are in trouble.
What’s up with your music career and what are you currently doing as we speak?
I am working on an album with BANTU, we have been touring. We host the monthly concert series called Afropolitan Vibes at Freedom Park. My band and I are busy and happy.
What are your thoughts on the current APC government and President Buhari’s regime? What are your expectations of this regime and what do you have to say about the current anti-corruption campaigns?
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Politics in Nigeria has never benefited the common man. Politicians live in a completely disconnected reality. My expectation based on history is very low. They make a lot of promises but so far every single leader has failed us. When the noise dies down, we will be able to evaluate the sincerity and effectiveness of all their actions.
Please run us through 24 hours of your day starting from when you wake up in the morning.
I like to start my day early. I have noticed that I am more effective when the sun is up. My day comprises of rehearsing with my band or alone, booking artists for Afropolitan Vibes, finding time to read and write music
Tell us a bit about yourself, how music got started for you and what your educational background is like among other things. At what point did you discover you had a lot to offer in the creative industry?
I attended a technical College in Germany. During my school days, I joined a student’s band. We recorded some demos, got a record deal, started touring and after graduation my hobby slowly but surely became a profession.
How do you handle females around you given your status and when you have to work extra or late hours how does your woman react?
My greatest teachers have been women. There are a lot of strong women in my family I grew up around them. I find it quite insulting when women are reduced to being supporting cast members or groupies.
What was the last book you read?
Black Bazaar by Congolese writer Alain Mabanckou
Favourite holiday destinations in the world?
Zanzibar, Tanzania.
Your thoughts on current violence by Fulani herdsmen in Nigeria?
The Fulani herdsmen attacks leave more questions than answers like who are those financing the group? Who are those who actually own the cattle, what is their political agenda [and so on]? You see, you have to be well connected and wealthy to source for sophisticated weapons and jeeps that cost thousands of dollars and move them into Nigeria without anyone noticing. The big question is why has the Nigerian government been unable to stop this conflict? Why is it that for years we have refused to put effective measures in place to address desertification and water conflict issues? We have to see this beyond the simple narrative of nomads versus farmers.
What are the 10 songs currently rocking your playlist?
1. Falz feat. Simi – Soldier
2. Prince – Sing o the times
3. Kendrick Lamar – I
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4. Brymo – 1 Pound
5. Massive Attack featuring Roots Mauva – Dead Editors
6. Tony Allen – Koko Dance
7. Ibeyi – River
8. Fokn Bois – Help America
9. The Game – The Documentary 2
10. Fatai Rolling Dollar – Easy Motion Tourist
Adegoke ‘Bantu’ Odukoya is a prolific entertainer and activist of mixed descent. He is partly Nigerian and partly German.
Born in Wembley, England, he relocated to Nigerian in 1973 and has pursued a career in entertainment ever since.
In 2012, Bantu was part of the renowned music reality TV show Project Fame West Africa where he served as a judge.
Watch Ile by Ade Bantu below:
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