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I Can't Promote Songs My Children Cant Listen to - Ajala(AllAfrica Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) At a time when others were investing in ventures considered productive, Adedotun Ajala, an Accounting Graduate from the University of Ilorin took a daring decision to invest in entertainment. In this interview with Snr. Reporter Anthonia Soyingbe, who was in Ilorin last weekend, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Moyinet IT company speaks about how time and commitment is helping to shape things for good for him and his family. Many artistes in the past have accused promoters like you of milking them, are you also in this category? If truly I wanted to be greedy and make huge money, I won't be in this business. There are countless profitable ventures I can do if really I want to do such. I have passion for this and so I am doing it. I believe in assisting people and I use my office to promote artistes especially budding artistes. I love doing this. We were running an Information Technology (IT) firm before but we decided to include this because of the passion I have for music and movies. It is a very risky venture but later are very optimistic that we will surmount all obstacles. It is not as if we don't have what it takes to promote A-list artistes, but I am more passionate about talented young artistes who have no one to lend them a helping hand. Since you love this, why are you not a singer or an actor? Unfortunately, I can't sing but I appreciate good music and creative actors. I can't sing, act or dance but I love music especially indigenous songs. You think your passion is enough to give you headway in this venture? It will be suicidal if I embarked on this venture without any research. I consulted with some people and I studied the industry many years before I ventured into it. Though that is not enough, I will keep learning on the business on a daily basis. Are you working on any project now? We have a film which is not on the shelf yet. In a couple of weeks we will be on the location to shoot a film. We have some short films online. Do you have partners in this business? I don't have any. Why? It is difficult to partner with anyone in this business because of the many risks involve. Don't forget that humans are selfish and so we often look out for our personal interests. Most artistes and music promoters are in Lagos, don't you think it is better you do this business in Lagos just for better opportunities? I believe with this step, others will see reason they should do business here. People come here to shoot films, return to Lagos to produce and market in Lagos. We still go to Lagos because we have some marketers there. We are the sole distributor of Ebun Oloyede's latest film in Kwara State. Now that you mingle with some artistes, what are your perceptions about them? I don't have any issue with them because I comport myself very well, though I am a greenhorn in the industry, I set for myself a standard which I strictly adhere to. I don't promote an artiste just because I want to promote an artiste. Your song must have a very good content because music is a message which is meant to minister to your soul. Personally I choose the kind of songs I listen to and so I don't just promote indiscriminately. Is your wife ready to share you with female artistes? A woman will always think about that but once you have focus, I am sure you won't derail because they can be distractions which automatically will pull you down. To a very large extent I am very discipline and focus. Unfortunately I have not had such experience since I started this venture. Are you prepared for it? Yes I am and I will never forget where I am coming from and where God is taking me to. Some people said you are an achiever; can you share with us your success story? I started from a very small shop so I give glory to God for his benevolence. I am still striving hard to attain my goal which I am very optimistic will come to pass. My uncle before I bagged my first degree in University of Ilorin sent a laptop to me and instead of engaging in internet fraud, I started business with it. That was how we started the business. One thing that also shaped my life is my background. I thank God for my parents who instilled into us the fear of God and they raised us with biblical injunctions. Are you considering relocating from Kwara to Lagos for your business? What do they have in Lagos that is lacking here in Kwara State? We are planning to have branches in other major cities in Nigeria which include Lagos. All you need is God's favour, it doesn't matter where you are or who you are. Once you enjoy God's favour, you automatically become successful. With time others will come into this business in Kwara. How will you describe a good song? Music is expected to heal and lift your spirit. Many years back when I was experiencing some challenges, I didn't go out to seek anybody's counsel all I did then was to listen to Evangelist Ojo-Ade's song. I got inspirations and healing from those songs. I gained so much strength from his songs. I think a good song is meant to minister to your soul and impact something meaningful to you, anything other than that is rubbish. Some even include a proverb which doesn't correspond in their songs. You only promote gospel artistes? I promote other artistes as well. Will you promote a Fuji artiste? It depends on the content of your song but I can never promote a song which has vulgar lyrics. I am very conscious of my background and I can't promote any song my children can't listen to. Though I want to make money, I put so many things into consideration. I don't really believe in gospel songs to be a Christian song, for me any music can be gospel once it teaches morals, heal and minister to the soul. There is a common notion that accountants are stingy, how true is this? It depends on your definition of being stingy. We are not stingy but very prudent in spending. How do you intend to recoup your investment in the face of piracy in this industry? I want to believe we won't have many issues with them and we are hoping relevant agencies will halt activities of these monsters that are reaping from where they did not sow. Copyright Daily Independent. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). |