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Thursday 18 December 2014

Not Many Know That I Also Produce Music – Ojopagogo

Ojopagogo

Nollywood actor/producer, Olayiwola Razaq Olasunkanmi, popularly known as Ojopagogo, is a native of Oyo State. Having starred in many Yoruba movies, he needs little introduction. In this interview with Tribune, he speaks about his career in movies, the industry in general, among other issues. 

How long have you been in the industry? 

I started my career in theatre in Iseyin in the year 1983, under the Ilumokin theatre group, led by Jelili Raji Aboderin. In 1985, I traveled to Ibadan with the AlaoShorunke theatre group, where I was fortunate to work with who is who in the theatre industry. I was privileged to work with people like Chief (Dr) Hubert Ogunde, Chief Moses Omilani, Charles Olumo, Chief Moses Olaiya Adejumo etc. Besides, Dr Ishola Ogunsola a.k.a ‘Isho Pepper’ and S.I. Ola were the ones who influenced my music career. You just returned from Germany where you have stayed for a while. Have you relocated to Germany? No, I decided to take some time off and I travelled there for holiday. 

Just a holiday or you are also doing some work over there? 

No, this is my first time in Germany and I was there for holiday. I went to rest. I decided not to shoot any movies while there but still, some of my friends invited me and I featured in their movie because I was there. However, I did not shoot any personal movie because I intentionally travelled to rest. 

How would you rate the movie industry in Germany to ours in Nigeria? 

We cannot compare theirs to ours because there is simply no basis for comparism. In fact, some of us tried to visit their film village, but unfortunately, we could not. However, we went to a film school where many of us decided to attend in order to upgrade our status and knowledge about film making. The name of the school is the MET film school in Germany. 

They gave us all their requirements and Bayo Tijani and I had planned to mobilise people who had interest in international film-making to attend. You also have a degree in music? 

Yes, I am a musicologist. Did you study music? 

Yes, I studied music technology in The Polytechnic Ibadan between 1993 and 1997. Have you produced any album before? Yes, I have produced two albums and the third one will be released this year. My music is all over the social media, ‘Eyin Ele’, ‘Jengbadun’ are online and I did a song about Nigeria. It is about Nigerians in a situation where they don’t understand the government and vice versa. That is why the song is called “Nigeria”. 

There are many Nigerian movie practitioners who own theatre schools. Do you have one? Yes, I have my own school called Rasol theatre academy where I train people for theatre work and I have graduated four sets. In fact, one of my products is a lady currently making waves in the theatre world and she emerged the ‘Best Resolite’ of the year 2014. I am planning to graduate another set of practitioners next year. 

What is next for Ojopagogo? 

I have a lot of jobs in the making. I have been advertising one of my soap operas for a while now. At the same time, my movie called ‘Lamuluke’ is ready for the cinemas. We did the auditions two years ago, but due to some unforeseen contingencies, we are unable to make the cinemas. However, this December/January, my fans will see something new. I have another movie in the works titled ‘Sebe’ (Cobra). I also have another movie titled ‘Igo’. It is almost ready and I have done the music layout for the movie. ‘Igo’ is a story about a drunkard.

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