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I Will Love To Own A Radio Station” – Darey Art Alade

Darey Art Alade is a very familiar name in the entertainment circles. The singer who gave us hit singles like, ‘Not The Girl’ and ‘Special Fever’ sat down with Thisday Newspaper for a very revealing interview just after his fourth studio album, ‘Naked’ dropped. Read below!

Tell us about your background?
I am the last among five children of Mr.  Olapeju ‘Art’ Alade and wife, the famous Nigerian highlife/jazz artiste in the 60’s and 70’s. My older siblings are Abimbola, Taiwo, Kehinde and Bolaji. We hail from Lagos State, the former capital of Nigeria. My road to stardom started in 1998 when I was a teenager; I always performed at B-Jez Nite Club in Victoria Island. It was there that members of the Cool FM management spotted my talent and invited me to their radio station. There, I was groomed in all aspects of radio production and marketing. I also grew up in Lagos with my mum, and shuttled between Cool FM and University of Lagos where I studied Creative Art.  Apart from playing music on piano and drums, I also love riding all kinds of motorbikes and keeping dogs.  As a child, I used to rummage through my father’s extensive jazz collection and tag along with him to his concerts. These early experiences gave me my first taste of showbiz.
So how did you become famous?
During 2004 edition of Project Fame Academy, I had opportunity to perform in front of over 100 million people, and I got the third position in the contest. I also had a record deal with Sony BMG Africa,   on which I produced my album ‘From Me 2 U’. The album hit the Nigerian market two years later on Storm Records. The album had several hit singles, including ‘Fuji’ and ‘Escalade’ which enjoyed massive airplay in Nigerian and international media. The top selling album had songs like ‘Original Naija’ which was used as the theme song for the first ever edition of Big Brother Nigeria.  The album, ‘From Me 2 U’ won several awards including the Awards for Musical Excellence in Nigeria (A.M.E.N) and the 2006 Channel O Music Video Awards for best R&B Video in Africa In 2008.
I spent several months hosting MTN Project Fame West Africa; that was where I first hit continental fame in the South African edition. Two years later, I did a follow up entitled ‘unDAREYted’, on another record label, Soul Muzik. The album sold over 150, 000 copies across Nigeria in just two months. The album featured appearances by Cobhams Asuquo (Asa’s producer), 2face Idibia, Naeto C, 9ice, Tee-Y Mix and others.  It also had a smash hit ballad ‘Not the girl,’ which was nominated for several awards and won video of the year at the 2009 Nigerian Entertainment Awards held in Washington DC., USA.
Besides singing, what else do you do?
I used to be a DJ back in my early days and I worked as a compere and a voice-over artiste. Then I have my personal business.
Why do you love dogs as a pet?
I grew up living with dogs. My father used to have so many of them so I developed interest in dogs. Besides, dogs are good pets and man’s best friends. So it’s not strange having dogs around me.

As a voice-over artiste and compere how many shows have you hosted so far?
I have hosted so many shows. I have lost count as I speak.  But I remember I did a musical show on Channel O called ‘Y’ello’. It is a collaboration between MTN and Scharff Weisberg Media. I also did the Dunhill Symphony of Fire show, Peugeot New Look Fair and the St. Moritz Style Selection Show. This show is aimed at promoting the best of Nigerian entertainment and music videos.
You are one of the two Nigerian musicians chosen to represent the country in MNet’s Project Fame Academy. How did you achieve this?
Project Fame profiles the progress of 16 students chosen from South Africa and across Africa as they learn and grow in the Fame Academy. The students are expected to be able to play musical instruments, write their own songs, sing and perform. Since entering into the academy, I did my best in teaching the students what I know best to do and the winner was selected from the contestants.
How long have you been married?
Well, I have been married to my beautiful wife, Deola, for eight years and we are blessed with lovely children. We actually tied the knot in 2007. And till date, we have been enjoying every bit of our marital bliss.
How many children do you have?
I have two wonderful children –my kids are the best in the world. They are very understanding, calm and always happy.  They never cease to put a smile in my heart, and they believe that their father is Superman.
What makes you a responsible father?
I am a proud father and a wonderful husband to my wife. I want the world to know that my family has been behind my happiness and fulfilment as a music star. My family has been such a tremendous support system in my life’s journey. I am thankful to have them in my life. And, I wake up each day looking forward to being the best husband and dad to my family. My wonderful wife has been my backbone of love and support. She continues to push me to be a better person each day.

You are called the king of R’n’B in Nigeria. How did you manage to sail through despite the competition in the Nigerian Music Industry?
Well, God has been faithful to me in all ways. My music is different and I understand both the young and old people enjoy the kind of music I play. I am not competing with anybody. Besides, the Nigerian musical industry is a very big place for everyone to make it; so, why the rush?
You did something with Asa and Cobhams.
Yes, Asa and I recorded while she was in Lagos. Coincidentally, she came to Lagos for the grand finale of the Nigerian Idols Season 5, so we used that opportunity to go to the studio and wrap up what we had started, and a few weeks after that we finished the song. The song came up powerful. I also collaborated with Cob­hams on the album. These are good musicians and I enjoyed every moments I shared with them.

You did another song with Olamide in ‘Asiko Laye’; are you not deviating from your usual ballad style?
Remember, I featured 9ice in ‘Style & Style’, Tuface in ‘Carry Dey Go’ and Flavour in ‘Sisi Eko’ remix. It’s not that I’ve deviated but it’s all about col­laboration. It’s two different worlds coming together and you want to see how it sounds. The basic idea is to have a blend. First, it’s his music (Olamide) that prompted the collaboration. I’m a big fan of his and he brought so much energy into the single.
The kind of music Nigerians sing and dance to is the fast-paced one but you your music is mid-tempo. Is that not worri­some to you?
It’s all the grace of God. You know how the market is. I’ve been around many cities in Nigeria and outside the country but the reaction one gets whether one is performing or not is encouraging. For example, I went to Fes­tac Town, Lagos, when I was doing the ‘Most Underatted Show’. I was with my camera crew trying to catch people at the bus stops and get them to sing or dance on the spot. And then I saw these kids playing in front of their home. As soon as they saw me they started shouting in Yoruba that I was the musi­cian that sang ‘Not the Girl’. That reaction alone was good for my music. We love hip hop, Afro pop and all of that but we cannot always listen to that kind of music. We’re all emotional beings. We have to make music that speaks to people’s emotions. Some of us might try to be hard on the outside but we all have those vulnerable moments. If it’s five per cent of the population that loves the music and the style, I’m okay provided they’re paying the bills. You see, in music you must have some stubbornness and stick to your gun and sooner than later, people will accept you for whom you are.
What happened to the ‘Underrated Show’ you organised one time?
We did it and gave a prize of N1 million cash to the winner. I think we just moved on to other projects. However, people are clamouring for something like that; hoping we can do something bigger than that in the near future.
Other artistes like Timi Dakolo are also favourably disposed to this slow kind of music. Are you guys deliberately trying to create a trend?
In the last couple of years there’s been a surge of organic music and mid-tempo is coming back. Look at Niyola’s ‘Too Bad’ and Adekunle Gold’s ‘Sade’. There are cerebral people out there making heartfelt and emotional music. Much as we love the ginger songs, we must pay attention to other kinds of music. In the late 80s and early 90s, Nigeria was the biggest consumer of reggae music; we are very diverse. We can’t say we have a music industry if we only listen to one kind of music except we want to call it the Afro pop industry.
Tell us some of the awards you have won since you came into the industry?
The ones I can still remember were in 2009 during the Channel O Music Video Awards; I won the best male video award with the song ‘Not the girl’. I was awarded the best R&B video with the same song ‘Not the girl’ in the same award. I also won the best R&B singer with the song ‘Not the girl’ in 2009, during the Nigerian Music Video Awards. The best Use of Costume ‘More’ in 2009 Nigerian Music Video Awards and Video of the Year ‘More’ 2009 Nigerian Music Video Awards. The Best Music Video of the Year “Not the girl” in 2009 Nigeria Entertainment Awards. The Best R&B Video ‘Escalade’ in 2006, Channel O Music Video Awards and  Best Picture / Musical Video “Escalade”  during the  Awards for Musical Excellence in Nigeria (A.M.E.N)).
How many times have you been nominated for awards?
In 2009 MTV Music Video Awards, I was nominated the Best R&B singer in West Africa, the Best R&B Song ‘Escalade’ (2007 Awards for Musical Excellence in Nigeria (A.M.E.N)) the Best R&B Album “From Me 2 U” (Awards for Musical Excellence in Nigeria (A.M.E.N)) the Best Single Recording “Not the girl” (2009 Hip Hop World Awards) and the
Best Vocal Performance – Male “Not the girl” (2009 Hip Hop World Awards).
Do you plan to own a radio station?
I will love to own a radio station. I have already started making inquiries and plans on that possibility. I am a radio person; I have worked on radio, and it was really fun. Since then I felt it will be a good idea if I can achieve this by running a radio station. After all, it will provide jobs for people, encourage creativity and improve entertainment. I don’t know the format of the station yet but let me get the licence first.
Do you have any message for your fans?
They are wonderful. Thank you to everyone who has believed in me over the years. It’s been hard work but when someone believes in your dreams it gives you wings to fly. Thank you and I will never let you down as long as I live.