Humour Makes My Music Different –Sledge, Nigeria’s New Hip-Hop Sensation.
Written By: Babajide Awoyinfa
Among the slew of promising young rappers on the Nigerian music scene, Sledge comes with a solid credential. The graduate of Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, whose real name is Kolawole Ayoola is a certified freestyle rap MC.At the moment, his new single, “Mr. Oga” - which featured super producer, Cobhams Asuquo on the beat mix, popular rapper, Vector and other rap big names - is currently trending in the airwave. Entertainment Express had a chat with him recently and he gave the lowdown about his muse and his music, as well as highlighted his single and his swag.
How did the name Sledge come about?I stole it from a television show “Sledge Hammer”. I was a big fan of the show; I wanted a name that will be cool and will be appealing to me and my style. Sledge Hammer was my favorite TV show back then.
How did the name Sledge come about?I stole it from a television show “Sledge Hammer”. I was a big fan of the show; I wanted a name that will be cool and will be appealing to me and my style. Sledge Hammer was my favorite TV show back then.
How did you start musically?
Music started for me in the church, it was the pastor’s preaching on a particular Sunday that made me consider music actually. He preached that some of the members were not contributing to the service of the Lord in the church and he enjoined us to explore for a creative work to do as our contribution to the house of the lord. So I asked myself: “what I can do to serve the lord?” Then I realized that this was my opportunity to exhibit my singing talent. After criticizing people who sing on TV, then I decided to give it a shot in the house of the lord. I joined the church choir and sing every Sunday in church.
Music started for me in the church, it was the pastor’s preaching on a particular Sunday that made me consider music actually. He preached that some of the members were not contributing to the service of the Lord in the church and he enjoined us to explore for a creative work to do as our contribution to the house of the lord. So I asked myself: “what I can do to serve the lord?” Then I realized that this was my opportunity to exhibit my singing talent. After criticizing people who sing on TV, then I decided to give it a shot in the house of the lord. I joined the church choir and sing every Sunday in church.
I later gained admission to Covenant University and I met a lot of people. We sang together in the hostels and also competed vocally, which motivated me to improve my singing flair. At first I had problems with my vocals it became a challenge that got me depressed until 2010 when I met Cobhams Asuquo; his sound engineers fine-tuned my voice and it was like magic. Cobhams produced some songs for me and since then, there is no turning back.
What concept do you stand for?
Mostly, I do hip-hop and I also add a little bit of afro-beat and high-life, but basically I am a hip-hop act.
Mostly, I do hip-hop and I also add a little bit of afro-beat and high-life, but basically I am a hip-hop act.
Who are the artists that influenced you growing up?
When I was young, I got exposed to music artistes such as Fela, King Sunny Ade, and some Cherubim and Seraphim songs. But when I started growing up, my main influences where Busta- Rhymes, Jay-Z, Eminem, Tupac and Notorious B.I.G. Up till now Fela is still a very strong influence.
Do you smoke weed like Fela to get inspiration?
Not at all. I don’t see any benefit in smoking it; I am good enough as I am. I don’t need weed to get my inspiration. I can sit and think to get inspiration. I am a creative person; I do things naturally and I have trained myself not to be dependent on something to get inspiration. I get inspired when I am alone, driving or when I am defecating in the toilet. Something will come in and I try my best to store it in my brain or quickly write it down.
Not at all. I don’t see any benefit in smoking it; I am good enough as I am. I don’t need weed to get my inspiration. I can sit and think to get inspiration. I am a creative person; I do things naturally and I have trained myself not to be dependent on something to get inspiration. I get inspired when I am alone, driving or when I am defecating in the toilet. Something will come in and I try my best to store it in my brain or quickly write it down.
Tell us about the songs you have composed?
I cherish all the songs I write. The first song I ever composed was entitled “Jesus Is The Lord” but my second single “Mr Oga” was the breakthrough. I met Cobhams, he made a beat for me and he told me to rap about a “Mr Oga” to the beat. The concept behind “Mr Oga” is two-fold. At first, it compliments God; on the other hand, it compliments me. But it is a Christian song and if you listen well to the lyrics, you will realize that God is the Oga. Cobhams loved the song when I finished working on the beat he gave me. He was proud of me.
I cherish all the songs I write. The first song I ever composed was entitled “Jesus Is The Lord” but my second single “Mr Oga” was the breakthrough. I met Cobhams, he made a beat for me and he told me to rap about a “Mr Oga” to the beat. The concept behind “Mr Oga” is two-fold. At first, it compliments God; on the other hand, it compliments me. But it is a Christian song and if you listen well to the lyrics, you will realize that God is the Oga. Cobhams loved the song when I finished working on the beat he gave me. He was proud of me.
What makes you unique from other artistes?
It is my humor in writing, singing and performing my songs. My humor is my swag. I am humorous in nature; my song makes you smile even if you are moody. My humor makes me stand out.
It is my humor in writing, singing and performing my songs. My humor is my swag. I am humorous in nature; my song makes you smile even if you are moody. My humor makes me stand out.
Why did you decide to build your music career in Lagos?
I grew up in Lagos; Lagos is like the capital of entertainment in Nigeria. I don’t see the need to leave the main place where entertainment is happening and go somewhere I might not be relevant. If I was based in other state, I would probably engage myself in what makes the state active.
I grew up in Lagos; Lagos is like the capital of entertainment in Nigeria. I don’t see the need to leave the main place where entertainment is happening and go somewhere I might not be relevant. If I was based in other state, I would probably engage myself in what makes the state active.
What will you say attracts you to music?
Like Fela would always say, music is life, music is sweet; there is just something about music that strikes my nerves. Thank God for music. The artfulness of music is what attracts me to it, the fact that it can be maneuvered into anything. You can twist music anyhow and people will be amazed.
Like Fela would always say, music is life, music is sweet; there is just something about music that strikes my nerves. Thank God for music. The artfulness of music is what attracts me to it, the fact that it can be maneuvered into anything. You can twist music anyhow and people will be amazed.
What are the reactions of people towards your songs?I am lucky to have a good song that people are positive towards People love my song and I have been getting good and nice comments. They like my style and that motivates me. I am happy because my kind of song is not a typical Nigerian pop song; it is a slow-tempo rap song. On Twitter, Facebook, blogs, online entertainment websites, the song has been greeted with positive comment.
What do you minister in your song?
At the moment, the lesson in my song is that God is the Oga, God is the controller; therefore you are not the Oga, go and submit yourself to the real Oga and things will get better.
At the moment, the lesson in my song is that God is the Oga, God is the controller; therefore you are not the Oga, go and submit yourself to the real Oga and things will get better.
Are there artistes you would compare yourself to?
I am a combination of several artistes: a bit of Sound Sultan, with a little flair of D’banj and a tincture of Vector.
I am a combination of several artistes: a bit of Sound Sultan, with a little flair of D’banj and a tincture of Vector.
What are your plans at the moment?
At present, I am planning to do a radio interview tour round Nigeria. I need to spread more awareness for my song and I am also planning to shoot the video in a few weeks time. Album plans would come up later in the year or probably next year. I need the song to pick up first, so that people will be eager and anticipating for the album.
At present, I am planning to do a radio interview tour round Nigeria. I need to spread more awareness for my song and I am also planning to shoot the video in a few weeks time. Album plans would come up later in the year or probably next year. I need the song to pick up first, so that people will be eager and anticipating for the album.
Which artistes would you like to collaborate with?
I won’t mind working with Eva, the female rapper. I am also a big fan of Banky W, his music appeals to me, I love his music. I also want to work more with Vector.
I won’t mind working with Eva, the female rapper. I am also a big fan of Banky W, his music appeals to me, I love his music. I also want to work more with Vector.
How is a typical day like for you?
When I wake up, I analyses my day, I strategises all the appointments I have. People also come around to record music with me. I have meetings at the studio. I also go for radio, video and paper interviews. I wake up planning my day.
When I wake up, I analyses my day, I strategises all the appointments I have. People also come around to record music with me. I have meetings at the studio. I also go for radio, video and paper interviews. I wake up planning my day.
Why have you decided to choose Cobhams as your favorite producer?Cobhams is a genius; he is probably the best producer in Nigeria, when it comes to music and versatility, it is always a dream to work with him and for me to have worked with him, I guess my dreams have come true.
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