‘I’m comfortable living without a wife’ – Pasuma

Odetola Wasiu Alabi Ajibola popularly known as Pasuma Wonder needs little or no introduction. He is without doubt one of the most prominent Fuji artistes in the Nigerian music industry.

Born on November 27, 1967, Pasuma is one of the most popular Fuji artistes in Nigeria and has over the years proved to be a force to reckon with in the Nigerian entertainment industry. Pasuma started his career in 1984 and has several awards to his credit.

In this exclusive interview, he bares it all, revealing stories and experiences he has never told before.

How did music begin for you?

I started my music career when I was in secondary school and the person who inspired me to do music was King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal. He released an album then titled Talazo 84 and at that point I felt he had done a wonderful job but deep inside I felt I could do more.

So back in school, I would gather some of my friends and start singing, and when I left the Nigeria Model High School, Idi-Oro, Mushin in 1984, I decided to go into music fully. My parents wanted me to further my education but I chose music and that was how it started.

Between 1984 and 1989, we used to play at various hotels in Mushin, and then in the early 90s, I moved to Africana Hotel at Ojuelegba, to Chroma Hotel at EbuteMetta, and later Stadium Hotel, Surulere and Ariya Hotel at Jibowu.

In 1993, Eru Owa Records now Sarolaj came to me to record an album for him. I refused initially but he insisted and urged me to try. So we signed an agreement, got into the studio and that gave birth to my first ever album titled Recognition because I wanted people to recognise me as a Fuji musician. We did a follow up album the following year titled Choices.

Afterwards, I and my back-up singer, Shina Alao created a slang called Orobokibo and when I came back from Mecca in 1995, I did a live performance that went viral titled Hamburger. That same year, we recorded my 3rd album titledOrobokibo, which was the album that blew the brand Pasuma and also gave me my first award at FMA [Fame Music Award] where I bagged the award as the Best Artiste of the Year. I also won the AMEN Awards in 1996, 1997, and 1998 consecutively. It was also in 1996 that Benson and Hedges came to me and after much prayer and struggles, I embarked upon my first UK tour in 1996. From there on it has been a success story.

Let’s talk about the challenges you have faced as a Fuji artiste?

There are actually lots of challenges, but like the saying goes, if you suffer for 20 years and just taste fortune for 6 months, you’ll forget all about your years of suffering. But then in my case, the challenges are so much that I can’t even remember all. There are times that your band members would say they don’t want to play for you because you don’t pay them well. At times you’ll be waiting for them to turn up at shows and they won’t turn up, so you’ll be the only one to play using the keyboard alone. Some other times the vehicle transporting your instruments to the event will break down and you’ll get to the venue late. The celebrant would shout at you, or even tell you to refund his or her money {laughs}. There are even too many challenges, but thank God it’s not like that anymore.

Fuji music’s acceptability wasn’t always at this level. What did someone like you do to change the perception about Fuji?

I really didn’t do anything. I just kept doing what I love to do most and I also prayed a lot. Also, I didn’t lose focus.

In the last 20 years, has there ever be a time you thought of quitting music?

Yes, but that was in the 90s. I remember going to a show where a fight broke out. My instruments were destroyed and a lot of my boys were injured. So when I got back home, I decided not to do Fuji music anymore. One my very good brothers, Nene Jamiu kept encouraging me and even bought a new set of instruments for me and took care of my boys in the hospital. He really encouraged me, and I can boldly say he‘s the one who didn’t stop music.

But if you had stopped Fuji then, what else would you have done?

(Laughs) I don’t know; I probably would have gone back to school.

Are there any instances in your career that you reminisce about and smile?

Yes, there are. One of such periods is when I was looking for a stage name and I couldn’t figure out one, but somehow, one of my area brothers, Tayo Adelokun (owner of House of Heavy Sound) gave me the name, ‘Pasuma’. Before then, I used to be known as ‘Wasiu Alabi and his Fuji Cabarets’.

Then there’s also the period when we would go to perform at the Lekki Sun Splash. They won’t pay us, and they would ask us to start the show before the big stars like Femi Kuti, Daddy Showkey and others would come on stage, all in the name of promoting us. A couple of years later, that same company came to me to perform for them and I said I had another show and had to leave early. But, they said I can’t leave because I had to be the one to close the show and if I leave early the crowd would leave too.

When I remember moments like these, I would just smile to myself. Back then, people referred to Fuji as gutter music, music of illiterates and nonentities, but all that has changed and everybody loves Fuji music now.

What’s the meaning of Pasuma?

The guy who gave the name said it’s a medicine/stimulant. A tablet you take to make you strong when you are weak; more like an energy booster. So I applied it that if you listen to my music, it would give you energy and make you stronger (Laughs).

Which of your albums is your favourite?

It’s Fuji Motion that I released in 2007, because that was when I changed my style of music.

You are about the most popular Fuji artiste in Nigeria. How does that make you feel?

It’s purely the grace of God, because out there, we have several Fuji artistes who are fantastic but the fact that people see you on top of the game is nothing short of the glory and grace of God. If God wants you, and you are prayerful, you’ll surely get to the top. So I think that’s the one secret and magic of being where I am today.

Though I may be the most popular, I still often think there are other Fuji artistes better than me, but being where I am now is by God’s grace and by being prayerful.

In the industry today, which artiste do you respect the most?

First, it is late Alhaji Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, followed by Alhaji Kollington Ayinla, and mostlyK1 the Ultimate, because he was the one who inspired me to become a Fuji musician. I always look up to him. I love, respect, and believe in him, and I thank God that he’s still waxing strong till date. I still see him as my master and he’s someone I cherish a lot.

Most people in Fuji circles refer to you as an extraordinary artiste. What’s your take on this?

It’s all by His grace; the fact that we are waxing stronger is only by the grace of God. For instance, a company like Globacom could have only called on me after they must have done their research and found me worthy and relevant. So like I always say, it’s just the grace of God.

20 years after; what else should people expect from Pasuma?

Fuji is taking us to a higher level. Personally, I think Fuji music is the number one music in Nigeria at the moment because every hip hop acts use Fuji lyrics, and in years to come, Fuji music would still be most appreciated.

Why are you not living with any woman presently?

I am comfortable. I think anything you do in this life; you just have to believe in yourself first. At the same time, if I am not ready to do anything, nobody can force me to do it. By now, I believe people should allow me live my life, they should just wait; it is my life.

People should just leave me alone on that because I have the right to live whichever life pleases me. I am comfortable living without a wife, but I can’t shy away from the fact that I need someone to call my own under my roof.

I know quite well that it’s better for me to have a wife which I will still do. So people should just wait, keep their fingers crossed and let me choose for myself.

What was your childhood like?

I was born into the family of Odetola on November 27, 1967. My dad used to be the General Manager of a company in Apapa, while my mum was a trader, though she used to be an actress before she started trading.

I attended Muslim Mission Primary School, and then proceeded to Nigerian Model High School, Idi Oro for my secondary education. I started my music career in 1984 immediately after secondary school.

My childhood was rough and tough. You know, if you are born and bred in Mushin, your lifestyle won’t be like that of those born in Lekki or Ikoyi (laughs). It was so bad, when you meet a girl back then and tell her you are from Mushin, she’ll run away from you.

You said rough and tough, how do you mean?

It means to become a man is not a day job in Mushin. You have to hustle hard and also be very prayerful.

What kind of house did you grow up in back then in Mushin?

(Laughs) It was a ‘Face-me-I- Face-You’ kind of house; you know what I mean? I lived with my mum at No.37 Asofihan Street, Olorunshogo, Mushin. But, before my mum and dad got separated, we stayed at a better, more befitting apartment (2 rooms and a parlour) on Gbenle Lane, Olateju in Mushin.

I remember very well that my mum and dad got separated when I was 10years old. I was in primary 4 then. I am the only child my mum had for my dad.

How was it living with your mum back then?

She was a trader and I used to help her with the fried fish she sold. There was this cinema in Idi Oro (Jebaco Cinema) where I used to sell fried fish. I have also sold Fan Ice-cream before with my bicycle

Besides selling fried fish and ice-cream, what else did you do?

I did quite a lot o. There’s a place in Ojuwoye, Mushin where I used to be a wheel barrow (cart) pusher helping traders convey their goods, and I was also a bus conductor at some point. We used to ply Mushin to Oshodi, and Iyana-Ipaja to Agege. I was still in secondary school and would work as a conductor on Saturdays and Sundays between 4:00am and 2:00pm during the week. We would also work after school till about 8pm. Although at that period, I was just living without thinking about tomorrow.

You must have been very rugged in your early days?

(Smiles) Well to an extent I was, but now I am cool headed.

Most times you talk about your mum in your albums, but you don’t talk about your dad. Why?

My dad is not a Fuji person at all, and at times when I even tell him about it, he’ll say ‘No’. He’s a well educated person and doesn’t even understand Fuji music at all. Though, in the beginning when I started Fuji music, we were not close at all because he wanted me to be a doctor or an engineer. That was also what caused the separation between my parents because he felt my mum didn’t counsel me and doesn’t advise me well enough. But all that has changed and we are very close now.

Growing up, did your parents’ separation affect you in anyway?

I think their separation got me where I am today; it made me a stronger person. I started living with my mum at a very young age, and she always spoke to me, advising me to become successful because my dad’s family would want to see what will become of me. That really motivated me to make my mum proud, because out of the little she had, she always tried to make sure I was satisfied.

She stood by me all through the years because she felt if she didn’t do it people will mock her, so she tried her best for me. All the money she saved, she spent it on me, so I believe this is the time for me to pay her back.

Did she support you when you chose to do music after secondary school?

Yes she did, because my dad was against it. He didn’t want me to become a musician. When my dad heard I was singing, he sent for me and we had a meeting. He didn’t like it, but I made him realize music is what I wanted to do, and all along my mum gave me support.

Is there anything you wish to have done for your mum that you haven’t done?

Not really, I think I’ve done all what I feel I should do for her, and I think I’m still doing my best. What I am looking forward to is for her to move in with me when I complete my house, and I pray that God will grant her long live and good health.

Growing up, were there times you really offended her?

Yes o. There were times when I would go out to sell fried fish for her and I won’t come back with the actual money (laughs). She would get upset, pounce on me and flog me. She would sit on me and beat the hell out of me. But all that is history now.