Afolabi Sunday Ibikunle (aka AKIS) has disclosed that he nurses neither fear, nor threat from the big acts in the Afrobeat genre of the Nigerian music industry.
He expressed confidence that he will excel and become a force to reckon with in the Afrobeat genre of the music industry within the next five years, the presence of several established, wave-making and talented musicians notwistanding.
AKIS said he has much respect for the established acts, adding however that hard work, commitment and dedication are factors that would propel him to making a success of his career as an Afrobeat musician.
This was as he said his love, passion and desire to make a more positive impact, personally and in the society generally, motivated him to drop football and embrace music.
AKIS made the disclosures while speaking at the launch of his second album, AJÉ, at the popular Top One Event Centre, Ibadan, on Friday.
The 37-year-old Afrobeat musician, who was based in Dallas, USA, said his interest and passion for music dated back to his secondary school days, but he started out as a footballer.
AKIS has two previous works to his credit, including one single, Jẹ Kán Mọ̀n, which was release in 2019 and one full album, Kí Ìjọba Rẹ Dé, which was released in 2020.
Apart from being a musician, he is also an entrepreneur who is into fashion (Victoria Kofoworola Brand, a combination of his parents’ name), farming and also runs a restaurant.
AKIS, a US citizen by naturalisation, also disclosed that the famous Afrojuju musician, Sir Shina Peters (SSP), is his musical idol, having being a trailblazer with his infusion of hip-hop into Juju Music.
“I know full well that we have great music talents in abundance here in Naija. I greatly respect them all, but I nurse no fear or threat. Ojú ọ̀run to ẹyẹ fò láì fi apá kan ara wọn (there is enough space for everyone to operate freely). With God on my side, my hard work and talent will speak for me.
“With all sense of modesty, I am sure that I will be a great force to reckon with in Naija music industry within the next five years. I have the passion, the interest, the love and, above all, I am strongly committed to my desire to make a meaningful positive impact on the society through the message of music,” he said.
Speaking on his musical dream, AKIS said: “Actually my interest and passion for music dated back to my secondary days. But then, I was playing music, not for money, but for the fun and love I have for it.
“I initially had a passion for football. I thought I will be living on the round leather game as a professional footballer.
“However, the much-expected opportunities did not turn up. There was no form of support to help me to build a career as a footballer. We all know and understand the politics surrounding the round leather game.
“The frustrations I encountered in football made me to turn to my first love, music. I had my first effort, a single, titled Jẹ́ Kán Mọ̀n, in 2019. My first album, Kí Ìjọba Rẹ Dé, was released in 2020. My second album, AJÉ, is what we are launching today,” he said.
AKIS said he decided to return from his US base, where he was working as a security officer, to Nigeria to fully go into music because “I believe that must surely begin from home.”
“Nothing stops me from staying back in the US and become a successful Afrobeat musician. However, I am encouraged to return to Nigeria, seeing the feats being recorded back home by the likes of D’Banj, Davido, Olumide Badoo, Wizkid, Tiwa Savage and Don Jazzy, among several others.
His type of Afrobeat music was laced with prayers and this made many people to think that he would have made a good gospel act.
AKIS said: “Yes, my type of Afrobeat music is laced with prayers but with an infusion of traditions and folklores. I believe that one needs the support of God Almighty to succeed in all areas of human endeavours.
“Also, I decided to go for Afrobeat genre because it has a larger audience and it cuts across all ages and it is without any religion biases, irrespective of our socio-economic status.”
