A visit to Emperor Wale Olateju house, where the music studio of Ludare Olateju reside speaks volume.
Also, this encounter with him revealed top secrets of his ascendancy to the pinnacle of his inherited brand of Juju music, Sabada and passion to foster unity in his constituency, Ogun west for a greater tomorrow.
What is then unique about Ludare?
I was born into music but I started professionally in 2007, and it runs in the family. My Dad, of ‘Sabada fame’ of the late 60s and 70s- Emperor Wale Olateju, so I probably got this from him. Though there was so much discouragement from the family; for instance, my father wanted me to be a doctor. But I decided for myself earlier in life that success is whatever you make of wherever you find yourself at any point in time.
Why did you choose to play Juju music like your father and how are you preserving his heritage?
You know, children are quite impressionable and while growing up, I grew on this. Personally I have that thing that music is the kind of thing we can use to keep our culture, tradition and identity as well. If you go back into history, you will discover that in Yoruba settings, the poet in the Obas’ palace are the custodians of our history, so African history is kept more in the oral form and nature. We are doing more about the heritage of my father and Sabada, in the new year we are going to do more to keep the heritage intact.
Let’s talk about your constituency, Ogun west and unity of purpose that seems to lack
We need to come together both the people at home and in diaspora to work in synergy and harness their potential for achieving seemingly elusive political agenda and laying the foundation for accelerated socioeconomic development of Yewaland. We need to start supporting ourselves. My people don’t have clear understanding of rallying round our own; compare to Ijebus, Egbas, even Southwest of the Ondos, Oyos, they don’t joke with their people. There should be cultural affinity. My Dad suffered same plight. They want you to do pro-bono service for them.
Way Forward
The Yewa traditional rulers should put up an agenda. I will expect our Paramount ruler, the Olu of Ilaro see it as an agenda. Look for your people in various field, but there is a defacto problem that they need to address.
How can we do Yewa day and bring Musicians from Ijebu to come and perform for us. Are we saying there is no musicians to take the stage?
However, there is always a starting point for everything. We need cultural emancipation of our people. They should make it as an agenda and the Olu of Ilaro should drive the agenda. ‘Omo wa ni’ syndrome is serious thing among the Yoruba. Your input determined your output. If we don’t come together as one now, at every election circle we will be shopping for candidate.
Final Take
I care about the welfare of my people. It’s not an individual thing. It’s a movement and I will not stop shouting on Yewa agenda.
