‘I’m out to popularise Islamic songs in Nigeria’

Could you give an insight on how you developed interest in nasheeds? Actually, the story is very interesting. It is more of inspiration because I grew up in a family that has artistic and entertainment inclinations. So even though I was brought up as a science student, I still participated in drama, debate and songs. […]

Could you give an insight on how you developed interest in nasheeds?
Actually, the story is very interesting. It is more of inspiration because I grew up in a family that has artistic and entertainment inclinations. So even though I was brought up as a science student, I still participated in drama, debate and songs. I had the writing skills but never really thought of singing. I joined group songs because of the choruses. But when I got to university, in my first year, I heard a song by Cat Stephen, who is now Yusuf Islam. It was in English and I knew it was spiritual. I asked who sang it and was told. I started listening and then discovered another artiste based in Canada and also fell in love with his music. I started miming the songs and since I have the skills for writing, I told myself ‘why don’t you try writing a song?’ Later on, I realized this is something I want to do. I didn’t want to go into mainstream music but wanted to do something spiritual, something I knew I would be motivated doing and could inspire people. So, I started writing my own nasheeds way back in 2001, three years after being introduced to the nasheeds of Yusul Islam, Dawud Wharnsby, Zain Bhikha and many others.
I could say I drew inspiration from these people and that I have memorized their songs. It was in 2008 that I started making my music. We had a group then, back in Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, a couple of others and I, including Mustapha Bulama and another brother. But now everyone is focusing on things different and I have decided to focus on the nasheeds. Last year, I launched my single titled ‘A slice of date save the orphan child’ and it has been doing well.

How many singles have you produced since then?
I have produced eight, five of mine and three which are covers. I don’t actually do the technical production. I write the songs and mix the mastery and arrangements. There is a talented person I work with who does the production and when I sing, he does the programming and the rest.

Considering this is not a brand of music that is popular in Nigeria, how challenging has it been getting an audience?
It is very tough and tasking. But there is something about Nigerians. When you know something exists, you patronize the foreign version and forget there is a local variety. I remember last year there was a programme organized in Abuja where erudite scholars like Mufti Menk were invited. That was the first time I was invited as a nasheed artiste to perform and meet others from Lagos. I was the only one from the north. When we performed I thought it was great that they finally recognize that we exist. There is rarely any Muslim family you will ask if they know Zain Bhikha or Yusuf Islam that would say ‘no’ so I know there is a market and an audience. It has been tedious. I am not working under a record label so everything I do, I use my personally resources.

So would you say it has been profitable?
For now we are trying to make a mark, so I am not bothered about the profit. I just want people to understand that something like this exists and this year alone we have been growing with the recent release I made and people are thinking this guy is doing well. My video on youtube has generated a lot of likes and I have a lot of fans outside the country as a result. In fact, a friend has invited me to South Africa to do a collabo. So you know that you are making an investment and doing what is right, doing something that can compete with what is out there.

What is your view considering there are Islamic scholars who think using musical instruments is prohibited?
It is a long debate we have been having, even concerning Islamic music in the first place. At first most people have only heard of nasheeds in Arabic so when in the early ‘90s we started hearing nasheeds in English, people believed it was strange because they believed it should only be in Arabic. The opinion of scholars vary and there hasn’t been a consensus. Some scholars have permitted nasheeds as long as the contents and instruments used are in conformity with Islamic doctrines. If anyone comes and says he is singing nasheed and his theme is girls and clubbing, it won’t fly. The content has to be spiritual. It has to inspire people to do good. Some have said it should be like poetry, some say, you can use instruments, others say just do your music as long as your content inspires people.
Whenever I write a song there are two things that satisfy me. One is that it reminds someone of God and secondly; reminds him of his duty to live a peaceful life.

Is there an album in the mix?
There is. Aside from the single, I have two albums and I am trying to launch the first album which is for children. It is called a ‘Slice of date’ and is composed of 15 songs. You will hear a lot of nursery rhymes that you are used to but I have modified them to have Islamic contents and we have Yoruba and Hausa songs too.

Apart from the album launch, what else are you working on?
Yes, we are having a big programme during the Eid el Kabir and we are having plans to bring either Yusuf Islam or Zain Bhikha to Nigeria. The essence of the programme is that we noticed that during festivities like the Eid, Muslim families wonder where to take their children to because sometimes going to parks, they see people misbehaving. So we thought we should create an event that could take place during these festivities to entertain the families. If it works, it will be an annual event and serve as my album launch and kids’ get-together.