‘Cultural research’ll boost Kannywood’

Adam Kirfi:  Yes, especially when Hausa musicians unite and pursue the same goals of developing their businesses, and we should match this unity with patience. Scholars from the recognised universities and various centres of education across the globe should come, advise and guide musicians on how to produce the best songs that will be acceptable […]

Adam Kirfi:  Yes, especially when Hausa musicians unite and pursue the same goals of developing their businesses, and we should match this unity with patience. Scholars from the recognised universities and various centres of education across the globe should come, advise and guide musicians on how to produce the best songs that will be acceptable and bring about changes in the attitude and behaviours of people.

And musicians should be proud of what they are doing since it’s a lawful business that will aid them to earn a living. For example, I want my biological son to become a musician like me. That will make me the happiest person on earth. I will be proud of him as we are proud of veteran singers like Abubakar Yusuf Ladan, Mudi Sipikin, Aliyu Namangi and the late Mallam Sa’adu Zungur.

Some of them have died, and up till today, our society is making research on their works in tertiary institutions. So when Hausa musicians unite and take their businesses seriously, definitely, the sky will be our limit, as media houses and institutions of learning will research on our wisdom.

How did you come into the music industry?

Kirfi: Actually, I started music when I was in primary school and during my secondary school days. When I was in primary school, our teachers used to ask me to sing any song that would entertain the class before going for breakfast or whenever there was no teacher in the class. I used to write most of the songs and I continued up to the time I reached secondary school, where the students gave me the nickname ‘Sly dumber’ because of my voice and the messages I conveyed.

After I completed my secondary education, I started following some of my friends like Mudassir Kassim, Yakubu Mohammed, Misbahu M. Ahmad, Sadi Sidi Sharifai to sing together, because their stars were shining at that time. So whenever they had any song that would require two people to sing, they always asked me to do the other part. At that time, they were the ones that wrote their songs.

And my best friend, Mudassir Kassim, used to invite me to assist him to write songs together with him anytime he was too busy and we’d sing together. That’s how I came into the industry. I used to sing before and people did not understand me, but Alhamdulillah, today, people like me and my songs. And now, I’ve spent about twenty years in the music industry.

Did you encounter any problem with your parents when you started singing?

Kirfi: I did not have any problem with my parents when I started. They encouraged me to continue and pray for me. I lost my father sometime ago and my mother has continued to pray for me. Today, I am self-reliant and content with what I’m getting from songs, and to be frank with you, I want my son to emulate me.

Since you started singing, I’ve observed that most of your songs are enlightenment on discipline and the fear of God. Are they included in some of the Hausa films?

Kirfi: As I told you before, I’ve spent over 20 years in the music industry and most of songs I sang together with Mudassir Kassim, Yakubu Mohammed and Sadi Sidi Sharifai, which were used in thousands of Hausa films. But since I started singing on my own, I write songs that touch all aspects of life – politics, economy, healthcare, education, faith, belief. I did not give them to producers to put in their films.

Why?

Kirfi: Because before a song is put in a film, there must be space that will match the song with the film. If not, the song will not make meaning and will not send a good message to the viewer and listener. I did not ask the producers not to use my songs in their films, but the films must tally with the messages my songs are conveying to have good meaning.

My songs on discipline, which is a very important aspect of our society, like “Tawassuli” with Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in which I included special prayers and submitted my life to Allah (SWT), anybody that listened to what I said in the song appreciate it. Up till now, I’ve not heard anybody saying anything negative about it.

Do you think your songs will be put in a Hausa film?

Kirfi: Yes, but they must create a space that will match the message in the song. As for now, I’ve not thought of putting my songs in films. What I am after now is to release my first audio and video album called, “Guzuri.” It will be an exciting album that will definitely teach good morals, educate and entertain the public in various aspects of living.

How has your experience been in the music industry?

Kirfi: I’ve learned how to be patient and how to interact with various individuals. I’ve come to know and understand that every human being has his/her own character and that patience is the only thing that will help us to live peacefully with people.

Could you highlight some of the problems confronting Hausa musicians?

Kirfi: The major ones are envy, lack of respect, impatience and lack of unity. If all of us could work as one family, we will overcome all our problems as the Prophet said in one of his sayings, “Love for your brother what you love for yourself. And we should learn to resolve our disagreements amicably.

The Kano State government has banned films with songs and dancing or any act that does not tally with the Islamic legal system. How has that affected your activities in the music industry?

Kirfi: The law that banned films with songs and dance in Kano Sate did not affect the music industry. Even so, it will not affect musicians who sing to enlighten the public on moral decadence. And we the musicians are against songs and dancing that teach immoral behaviour to our young ones. We want songs that we can safely watch with our daughters, in-laws, sons, wives and all people without feeling we did something bad to the society.

But at the same time, we are not happy with what the Kano State government is doing by arresting, detaining, sanctioning and banning all over. That will not solve the problem, but rather do more harm to the system.

In your opinion, how can we solve the problem?

Kirfi: I’m appealing to the state government to fear Allah. If the measures they have taken in the film industry are good ones with good intention, may Allah help them. They should remember that when the film industry came to Kano, most of the youths that were unemployed became involved and that helped them to earn their living, which they used to assist their parents, dependants and communities. Instead of banning the industry and harassing its members, the government should invest in it so that it can pay these youths. The government can also decide the type of films to be produced. So for that, I advise the government to fear Allah and be just and fair to all.