An Afro-Pop-Fuji artiste, Oladokunbo Timileyin professionally know as Timmystar has explained why he needs the blessing and support of the Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Lekan Balogun, for the success of his upcoming album, Ilu Ibadan 1829.
He made this explanation while speaking with newsmen in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital at a pre-launch event of the album, saying he decided to sing about the city of Ibadan as a way of promoting the greatness and values associated with it.
Timmystar who is an upcoming artiste revealed that he began to sing at eight but took the decision to go public with his talent a decade ago.
He said, “My latest effort tagged, ‘Ilu Ibadan in 1829’, takes us back in history and links us with the present, but beyond that, I devoted time and energy into it to promote my father’s land.
“The song features the historic Mapo Hall, Cocoa House, major markets, places and institutions in the city. The effort is at its final stage and it will be launched this month. To further enhance its acceptability outside Nigeria, the beat for the song is from a producer based in Ghana.
“I need the blessings of the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Lekan Balogun, his council of high chiefs and obas and all well-meaning people of Ibadan and beyond for the success of the album.
“I am from Ibadan and I have being into music since I was eight years old, when I joined my church choir. I studied local government administration in Oke-Ogun Polytechnic and I still plan to return to the classroom but for now, music is my life.
“Ten years ago, I officially decided to make a living from music and I came up with Afro-Fuji-Pop kind of music.”
Speaking on why he combine three major kinds of music styles as his signature style, Timmystar said he was motivated by past efforts of music legends and how best to come up with an innovation.
He explained, “It took me some time to evolve from my dream but when I did, I was satisfied with the outcome. By combining Fuji music with Afro and Pop, I have received commendation from people and improved on my fan base.
“We have had celebrated musicians and legends of the industry who have promoted Afro music in Nigeria. It has been sold to the whole world so much that you could hardly beat the works and legacies of these musicians.
“I don’t know what anyone wants to sing that will beat what Fela Anikulapo Kuti had done to Afro-beat kind of music. All the same, there is still a lot to inherit from his works, and with genuine innovation, something cherished can still be fashioned to take Afro music further. That is why we have Femi and Seun Kuti, Lagbaja and others sprinkling new vibes into what Fela had done.
“However, much as Fuji music has been promoted in Nigeria, it has remained a brand of music of the Yorubas. This is because we have not seen much new addition to what legends like the late Dr Sikiru Ayinde Barrister and Kollington Ayinla did. Ayinde Barrister remains my hero. When he was alive, there was no social media but his ingenuity took Fuji to the global world.”
When asked if he has sponsors for the production of the album, Timmystar said so far, he has spent personal earnings from farming and shows appearances.
“I don’t have a sponsor for the song. All I have spent on it is from what I could gather from my farm harvest and other personal efforts on stage,” said the artiste.
