Words: Adedosu 'kenzy' Adekunle
Many years have gone by since we last heard of the defunct pop group that rocks the late 90's, ‘The Remedies’.
This is the group that held the Nigerian music scene by storm with hits like ‘Shako mo’, ‘Shade’ and ‘Jealousy’.
The group were signed on to Nigeria hottest record label "Kennis Music" back then which consisted of Tony Tetuila as the singer/dancer, Eedris Abdulkareem the rapper and Eddy Montana as the vocalist.
This guys were at the top of their game when issues arising from ownership and royalties came up. Tony Tetuila was forced to leave and soon enough started a solo career.
He later released his debut work ‘Morning Time’ which spurned hit songs like ‘Omode meta’, ‘Morning time’ and ‘Omo pupa’.
Tony Tetuila, during an exclusive interview with Journalist on Tuesday, August 9, 2011 discussed bringing back the group on his new album and also gave his view about the revolution in music today.
KREST: Tony lets meet you.
Tony Tetuila: My name is Tony Tetuila, the Golden boy of Africa…. My real names are Olanrewaju Anthony Awotoye and I’m from Kwara State. I’m an artiste, musician. What do I even sing? (smiles) Hip Hop with some African feel in it.
KREST: Tony, you go way back as one of the pioneers of Hip Hop music in Nigeria. You are one of the major artistes who started the ‘Naija Hip Hop movement’. But today we have some good music and of course a few noise makers. Speaking of hits like; ‘Omode Meta N Sere’ and ‘You don Hit My Car’, how would you describe the development in the music industry today?
Tony Tetuila: It’s better now. It used to be good back then though. A lot of people are coming into the game. A lot of people are standing up, a lot of people are really supporting music generally, let’s talk about corporate bodies coming up to sign artistes for endorsement, which was not rampant then, but it’s a good thing. The face of entertainment has really changed, you know, the new school is really making things happen. This time around though, it’s not all about making sense anymore.
KREST: Are you saying it’s all about the money now?
Tony Tetuila: Yes, that’s what I’m trying to say.
KREST: Tony, I remember you and a whole of artistes back in the day, music used to be a thing of passion. It was about making more sense and not just about the money. So tell me, with every amount of bluntness, what is your view about some of the songs we have out in the market today?
Tony Tetuila: Well, I won’t say its rubbish and I won’t say the songs are not making sense.
KREST: But you don’t like them?
Tony Tetuila: If you talk about the beats and what they are singing over it, I will say the beats, on point, but what they sing? I think it’s all about the swagger and how you deliver it now and since that’s what the people want, I’ll say they are doing well. (Laughs) But lyrically, I’m not really feeling some people, not all of them though. Some make sense for the love of music; others are in the game for the paper.
KREST: So in a nutshell Tetuila, what you are saying is that, it’s not totally about good music anymore, it’s all about the money?
Tony Tetuila: Yeah, it’s the paper that counts, not the music.
KREST: So talking about good music which you believe you can give us. What are you cooking right now?
Tony Tetuila: We just dropped the album now titled, ‘Made in Heaven’, featuring 2Face, 9ice, Ajasa, Durella, Ruggedman, Pasuma, members of my former group Remedies (Eedris Abdulkareem and Eddy) and some up-coming artistes on Tetuila Records. We thank God, the album is out now, but we are just trying to put it into the market first, before we do an album launch and the album listening party.
KREST: And when will that be?
Tony Tetuila: Soon.
KREST: Thank you Tony.
Tony Tetuila: Thank you for having
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