With songs like Denge Pose and Notice Me, Friday
Igwe popularly known as Baba Fryo dominated
Nigerian music scene in the ‘90s. The Ajegunle-
born singer tells OLUSHOLA RICKETTS why
Ajegunle musicians went into oblivion and his
worries.

Musicians in Ajegunle dominated showbiz at a
time, including you, African China and Daddy
Showkey; but things are different now. What do
you think went wrong?

There was no unity. You know that when people fail
to corporate or are back-biting one another, you can’t get the best. Though they say ‘dog don’t eat dog’, I don’t believe that. Ajegunle people often backbite and are envious of one another.

Being one of the most celebrated musicians to
come out from the area what are you doing to
bring back the glorious days?

I have tried my best. The young artistes will get
shows, tells us lies that they didn’t collect any money
and we would later find out that they did. They also
engage in impersonation; they would call someone to
pretend like a particular artiste just to collect his
benefit. I have heard at different times that some people used my name somewhere. This is the level at which Ajegunle people have degenerated. They would collect the money and pretend as if nothing
happened. At the end of the day the artiste will get to know, but if you challenge them they would deny it.
Such thing kills creativity and causes problem. When
house is divided, it spoils many things and all these
bring Ajegunle music down. I am worried and I am
still trying my best. Some artistes know me; if I have
events I call them, but the ones I refuse to call would
go about to rubbish my name.
Another thing that killed the music is making one
style of music. If you hear me, Showkey, Nico Gravity, Daddy Fresh among others, you will know the difference. But today you cannot differentiate songs; they play the same kind of sound, tempo and melody.

And when people hear the same thing repeatedly
they lose interest and see a people that lack talent.
When did you move out of Ajegunle?

I left Ajegunle over 10 years ago, but I still visit there
often. Naturally, I don’t like environments that are too noisy.

Are you still doing music?

There was no time I left music, but the system is
changed. At present, we don’t have raw talent in the
music industry; people doing music now are the
yahoo and drug boys. They took over the industry
and the media. A yahoo boy could just enter the
studio because music is easy now unlike before when you would have to pass through many processes to bring out your music.
Then you would sing from the beginning of that track till the end, but they cut corners nowadays which also explain why their songs don’t last more than six months. When they play some of my songs like Denge Pose and Notice Me, people still dance to it and remember the lyrics. Many things have changed.

It was reported at a time that you left music out
of frustration…

It can never be so. When I was growing in Ajegunle I
became use to gossips. I cannot be moved by dirty
talks because I have been hearing it all my life,
especially when my music was famous. I am not the
only artiste that has gone silent over the years; we
have many but I am not willing to mention names.
You know them yourself. If they said I left music out
of frustration, they should describe the frustration. If I was frustrated out of music I would tell people
myself.

So, why has it been difficult for you to make
songs like Denge Pose and others?

Promoting a song is hard now. I don’t have the kind
of money these other artistes are giving out to push
their songs. If they collect your song at the radio or
television stations, they would just play it once or
twice because you gave them little or nothing. People try to shy away from this truth, but I have decided to use this opportunity to speak out.
Those drug and ‘Yahoo boys’ enjoy airplays because
they have money to share. If you go to Alaba, they
are always there. But I feel this is wrong. We still
have that raw sound; I have a single now titled
Country No Send. It is on the internet and I plan to
shoot the video soon. Media also are not helping
matters.

Asides fame did you really make money from
music?

I started making money from music when I released
Notice Me in 1999. I didn’t make anything from Denge Pose because piracy hit us badly and the company couldn’t handle the job well. By the time I released Notice Me, my eyes were opened to many things and I made money. Denge Pose gave me fame, however.I still have all of my songs on the internet and I thank God that people still like them. We have many songs that have gone into oblivion.

What were your regrets?

I don’t have any regret. Anything that happens to me I did it to myself. So, why do I need to regret?

What message do you try to pass with your
songs?

I feel that songs like mine relieve people from their
pains. My latest single, Country No Send, means that
regardless of your status we are still in the same
journey of life. If you are using a big car and I am
using a small one, we are headed to the same place
and sometimes I can even get there before you. So,
my music gives people hope and joy.

There seemed to be an endless rivalry between
you, Showkey and Daddy Fresh since Denge Pose
and Notice Me days when it was alleged that the
tracks were directed to them?

That wasn’t true. Normally musicians could have one or two problems but it doesn’t mean we should speak badly of one another. You know we grew up in the ghetto and we saw different things that gave us
inspiration. We saw controversies, struggles, so to
console oneself one has to make music that gives
rest of mind.
I know that Denge Pose gave hope to many people.
When I sang Notice Me they said I was referring to
Showkey while Denge Pose was referring to Daddy
Fresh. What inspired the songs were things I grew up seeing in the environment and people I have met in life; I wasn’t referring to any musician.

Do you still keep in touch with the likes of Daddy
Showkey, Mad Melon, among others?

Of course I still see them. We meet at shows or in
Ajegunle, but it has been a while I saw Showkey. I still saw Fresh a month ago; we drove in the same car. We talked at length about the industry; so I don’t
think I have issues with any of them.

How about your trademark eye patch?

I still wear it. I don’t use it every day; I only use it
when I have to do business.

Is there any mystery behind the mask?

Nothing supernatural; it is just being different. When
I wanted to record, my company thought my brand
should be different from others and the chairman
(Lucky Tunde) of Optimal Records came up with the
idea. I later added to it too.

When did you release your last album?

It was 2003, though the album was delayed for over
three years. It was frustrating; I don’t want to
mention the name of the recording company
anymore because they felt I am talking bad against
them.
How long have you been married?

I have been in that institution for a long time; my
priority at present is business.

You are blessed with how many children?

I don’t count my children, but they are many. As a
ghetto boy, we’ve played around before we got
serious. I don’t like to talk about my family; I like that
part of me to be private.

What should people expect from you soon?

People should expect something new and that has
good message. I have some songs ready and I am
still working on more. I call my music afro-reggae
beat.

Is there other business you are into?

I am still doing my music obviously; I go to shows.
Also, it is not only Yorubas who are land speculators
(Omo Onile) in Lagos. I collect my entitlement too, I
sell land.

But I thought you are from Delta State?

Did they give birth to me in Delta? I was born and
bred here, so I have the right to collect entitlement. I
live in Lagos all my life.
What do you think is working for Orishe Femi?
I don’t want to talk about him for now; it doesn’t
mean I have issues with him.
www.newtelegraphonline.com/baba-fryodrug-yahoo-boys-have-taken-over-music/