Q. Who Is Adedeji Adetayo?
A. Adedeji is a Nigerian Lagos-born musician and guitarist, originally from Ile-Ife. I studied music technology at the polytechnic Ibadan and graduated at the Prins Claus conservatory of music Hanze University, Netherlands where I earned my bachelor’s degree in music. I also got a diploma and licentiate degree from London College of Music. Presently i am Europe based and have been touring Europe, Africa and Americas in the last 15 years. I have three studio albums released and have collaborated with numerous artistes both in Nigeria and around the world. My choice of instrument is the voice and guitar and I dabble with some other instruments like the leyboards and different percussion instruments.
Q. You are Europe-based, but what brought you into Nigeria presently?
A. Yes I have been based in Europe for over 15 years but I have always kept in touch with home, which means creating a band here and frequently stopping by for concerts and festivals when available or invited. Presently I am here to take my nine-piece band on a short European tour, so I am here to prepare the band to do the Yoruba Odyssey tour! The album has been receiving great reviews around the world, top of world on songline magazine and No 1 in Japan music magazine and various other great reviews.
Q. Is there any particular reason for choosing to performing with an all- Nigerian band on your forthcoming Tour?
A. This particular album was deliberately made to focus on exploring the root sounds of Nigeria while expanding its possibility. So after recording the album it became imminent that the touring band needs to be Nigerians. Also, I believe there’s great potential in the musicians in Nigeria who lacks opportunities and platforms to showcase what they can do. Since my music is a fusion of Yoruba funk with a twist of everything, it was a no brainer. Plus this has also been my dream from the first album. And lucky enough we found a label that shares the same view with me, the Oneworld Records and that made it possible.
Q. When and where will you guys be performing during your tour?
A. The tour starts on the 19th June at the Respect Festival in Prague, then we proceed to the Roskilde festival in Denmark, Afrika Hertme in the Netherlands. We’ve got concert in Germany and we will be playing Sfinks festival in Belgium and waiting some more confirmation. The tour will be a six weeks tour.
Q. Which other Nigerian bands or artistes are on such tours?
A. As far as I know, Seun and Femi Kuti are on tour. Roskilde will have Adekunle Gold and Burna Boy as well and Yemi Alade will be at Sfinks, Etuk Ubong, Eda Oto, Ade Bantu and a few more. I have to say it’s a great time for Nigerian music.
Q. What’s the impact of African music on the global music stage?
A. African music has always been on global stage but this last years there’s been a new revitalization of the continent, thanks to the new Afrobeats artistes’ entrepreneurial spirit. African music has influenced some of the greatest music styles on the planet so it is not a coincidence that there is this new hunger for fresh sounds coming from Africa.
Q. What is your take on the recently created African Music category at the Grammy’s?
A. It’s a great addition to the Academy I only hope they’ll give chances to every African style and genre of African music, it is well-deserved.
Q. A word to younger NIgerian artistes trying to break into the world touring scene?
A. Be unique, believe in yourself and be honest on why you are in the game, learn and acknowledge the masters. Take care of business.
