“I get compliments more from women” …Tungba exponent, Yinka Ayefele declares

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 Yinka
Getting Yinka Ayefele to sit for an interview proved to be a big task. We were on his trail for a whole three months and after several postponements, the endearing singer was finally boxed to a corner last week Thursday in Ibadan. In the encounter that followed his meeting with the editor, FOLORUNSHO HAMSAT, Ayefele exhibited the rare vigour of a man who is never beaten in contest. He was prepared armed with answers to every query, as it were. Read on…
 
Congratulations on the success of your new album, Upliftment. What’s the message this time and what are your expectations?
Thank you very much, Mr. Hamsat. The album is just another way to appreciate God for His mercies upon me, my family and organization during this outgoing year. The Lord has been so faithful to us. So, He deserves our praise. The record is different from what you’re used to but I’m sure you’ll love it when you listen to it.
 
Going back to the days before your accident, did you expect something graceful was coming up to your life, or were you ever prophesied to of the greatness that you are enjoying at the moment?
There was never any prophesy as to the height I have attained today. Just like every other human being, I had a humble beginning, went to school, till the ground, to assist my father in the farm, do menial jobs to make ends meet and believed in hard work to secure a better future, until that fateful day on December 12, 1997 when I had that accident that later became a watershed and compass to my life.
 
Outside the praise songs in your albums, how do you give thanks to God when alone?
I thank God every second and all the time; who is Ayefele if not God? Do you know how many people have gone in accidents? Why is my own special? It’s been God all the way, my brother. The Lord has been so faithful to me and He deserves my praise every passing minute.
 
How long did it take you to come up with this new album, and would you like to discuss the budget?
I take my time to wax my album; I have a whole year to do that. In terms of the budget, I can’t actually figure out the budget because I have my studio in the office and home so I just go to the studio to record when the inspiration comes then we do the final editing and perfection in December. So, when you hold a copy of my album just know that you’re holding a copy of what has taking a year to produce.
 
The new album, is it a story-telling project considering that its release falls on the anniversary of your accident, or the usual all-dance, praise work?
It’s just coincidental that this year’s release falls on the 18thanniversary of my accident. I don’t decide the date of the release of my album, it’s the decision of my marketer. The latest album is not a story-telling message but another record which has been specially and carefully waxed to give thanks to God as usual.
 
When in the studio, do you sing based on note writing alone or you get inspiration to do those fine tunes sometimes?
Honestly, I can’t really say. I don’t have rules for making my record or my studio routine. I do my thing the way I feel it should be done and I don’t negotiate for excellence, I go for the best.
 
It’s been a bit long that you went on international music tour. Do you have a plan for any before 2015 runs out?
We were in South Africa in April this year and before this year; I went with my band on a musical tour in September 2013 when we went on tour of some states in the United States. Not that we don’t get offer to go on international tour but a situation where Ayefele has been booked for the entire weekend in the summer in Nigeria gives us a lot to ponder on. Many times, when the promoter comes we always have issue with time.
 
Do you have the instinct to know when any of your songs wouldn’t sell up to expectation, and has there been any of your albums that you felt didn’t do quite well in the market?
All the albums I have waxed compete with one another; even my debut album is still selling. It’s a project we carefully do so we always anticipate and always try to improve on our last effort.
 
Discuss the style that stands you out when you sing on stage?
I don’t think I have a particular style but my band is highly disciplined. We rehearsed regularly and everyone is a professional on his beat.
 
Some say that society women, mostly married, are your best fans and patrons who call you to events. Is that correct, and why do you think it should be women and not men the more?
Wow! You may be right and I don’t think that’s synonymous with my music alone. Women, irrespective of class, form the larger percentage of my fans and I can’t explain this. I think it’s just a natural thing. I know some women impose Ayefele on their husbands.
 
What was the best compliment you’ve got for being Ayefele the sonorous singer and from which quarters?
I get a lot of compliments that I can’t even remember all. I remember, sometime in 2008 when I was on tour of some states in the United States, the flight was delayed because of me. Another instance is when our arrival was announced at O’hare International Airport in Chicago, the airport announcer had announced to everyone that Nigeria’s biggest gospel act with his band are about to land at the airport and people were all over waiting for us to disembark from the plane. I get compliments every time and all the time.
 
You rarely talk about your family in interviews. What’s their role in your career?
My family plays a lot in my career. Remember I was not married when I had the accident, so my family was there for me and the society, at large. God has blessed me with good people around me and even my staff form a very big member of my family.