Easy-going Tiri Agbolagade Alamu who is better known as Tiri Leather is a fast-rising Fuji music singer whose style is patterned after that of Wasiu Alabi Pasuma. Tiri, who is a signee of Pasuma-owned ‘Oganla Fuji Music and Entertainment told RAHMAN I’SMAIL the story of his personal and professional life, his challenges and more. Read on…
Did you undergo training behind any musician before you started your band or you chose music while in school?
Thank you. I never underwent training under any musician. Singing is a gift for me from God. I realized that I was going to be a musician from my primary school days. I started singing in primary school. Those who knew me from childhood can testify to what I am saying. Music, I would say, is inborn.
Do you enjoy doing any other thing apart from singing?
I don’t do any other thing that gives me joy or money like music. But for pastime, I love playing football video games and I play physical football too.
What inspires you while on stage to give the audience your best?
Nothing inspires me to give my best on stage than when I see two or three people getting ecstatic and dancing to my songs. The more I see people feeling delighted at my performance, the more I get inspired to give more.
Was there ever a moment on your way to stardom you were so challenged that you felt like quitting music?
Alhamdulillahi (to God be the glory). We thank God for the level He has taken us today. There have been several challenges in the past. There were times when gangs would engage in fights and disrupt performances. There were times when we would perform at events and had no money to take home. There was a particular incident when gunshots were fired at us during a performance. The story was everywhere. There was also an issue when I was about to release my first music album. Thank God everything today is part of our success story.
Do you compose your songs or you buy songs or you copy most of your songs and pad them with your unique voice?
Editor, I love the way you ask questions. I do not buy songs. Typically, we need a producer for album recording. So, when I’m in the studio to record an album, members of the crew would make their contribution if they have any. I always have my songs ready which are mostly composed based on past experiences. So, when I assess other people’s contribution and I am satisfied that they align with the standard, I consider them and it helps us to deliver an acceptable and quality production. I don’t wait for people to bring me songs.
Who among the big Fuji musicians do you take as a role model and why?
The big musician I take as my role model who also considers me as a loyal disciple is Alhaji Wasiu Alabi Pasuma. He is my father in music; Oganla I. He is the person who let me know that no man should be underestimated, anyone can become great in life. Also, I see in Alhaji Pasuma a star who wants the younger elements to grow. I have had experiences with many bigger ones before I decided that Alhaji Pasuma was the right one to be my role model. He’s a different kind of being.
You hail from Ibadan, you started music in Ibadan and your band is based in Ibadan. Considering your growing popularity in the music industry, do you have plans to relocate out of Ibadan, perhaps to Lagos, to have wider acceptance?
Laughs… the truth is, under no circumstances will I relocate from Ibadan. Ibadan being my base does not affect the fame. I will be travelling for shows everywhere around the world and returning to Ibadan, my roots. That’s why I am nicknamed ‘the Olubadan of Fuji’.
Have you ever encountered any challenge for the fact that you have a similar voice like your role model, Alabi Pasuma?
I wouldn’t know if anyone is not happy that I have the same voice as Alhaji Alabi Pasuma. But I have not had any challenge to that effect. My voice is a gift from God. If anyone is not happy about that, that person is challenging God to a battle. Since I have been singing like Pasuma, God has been supporting me.
What gives you confidence when you perform before a huge crowd especially at a concert?
God has taken us before the level of having stage fright. That belongs to the past. At the level we are now, we are not even encouraged to perform when the crowds are not there. It is not really about spraying money, we’re thrilled to give our best by the presence of crowds.
Apart from Pasuma, who else in the industry do you regard as mentors?
Apart from Alhaji Pasuma, I give my respect to Alhaji Shefiu Alao, Dr. Adewale Ayuba, Alhaji Alao Malaika, Alhaji Atawewe and many others who are contributing to my growth in the Fuji music industry.
How many music albums have you released so far?
I have released 14 music albums. I became a name in the Fuji music industry after the release of my first album, ‘Winner’. I love all of my albums. From ‘Winner’ to ‘Valuable’, the latest hit on the shelves. Expect another album any time soon.
