‘Yahooze’ song doesn’t glorify 419 – Olu Maintain

Olu Maintain: Well, music for me was an evolution from being able to mimic people, which evolved with me miming people’s songs like Bobby Brown, MC Hammer, and which later evolved with me writing my own songs professionally. I started in 1997.       Where are you from and what did you study in school? […]

Olu Maintain: Well, music for me was an evolution from being able to mimic people, which evolved with me miming people’s songs like Bobby Brown, MC Hammer, and which later evolved with me writing my own songs professionally. I started in 1997.   

   Where are you from and what did you study in school?

Maintain:  I am from Ondo town in Ondo State and I studied Accounting in school.

How did the name Olu Maintain come about?

Maintain: I was in a group called Maintain before and it was my cousin Tolu and I. Our stage name then was ‘Maintain’. So when everyone was going solo, it automatically made sense for people to refer to me as Olu from Maintain, hence the name Olu Maintain.

How has the road to fame been so far?

Maintain: Challenging; it has had its highs and lows. Very competitive, but we thank God we’re still here and waxing stronger.

How many awards have you received locally or internationally?

Maintain: I’ve received several awards both locally and internationally. Among some of my awards are Song of the Year NEA, USA, Song of the Year Hip Hop World Award, SoundCity Best Video of the Year 2009, Global Excellence Musician of the Year, Afro-Nollywood Award UK 2008 Artiste of the Year, NMA Song of the Year 2008, and many more.

The song ‘Yahooze’ shot you into the limelight. Did you anticipate that the song would receive such an ovation from the society?

Maintain: It is the dream and aspiration of any artiste going into the studio to record a song that the song will be a hit. But I must confess I was really overwhelmed by the success of Yahooze as a song.

No doubt your Yahooze hit was an instant one with Nigerians. So when is your next album?

Maintain: The new album just came out titled, ‘With all due respect press play’; it features songs like Arab Money, Legend, Good Morning Sir, What a Man Can Do and many more.

People have said that you hardly diversify your rhythm. Is this sort of your style of music?

Maintain: Versatility, if anything, I believe has been extremely achieved on this new album. And in terms of style, I believe you mean uniqueness in style that makes me stand out in the crowd, thereby giving me my own signature.

Your hit song ‘Yahozee’ has been said to celebrate the ‘Yahoo-Yahoo’ boys and their 419 activities. What do you have to say to that?

Maintain: Well, in my opinion, that is such a very subjective point of view. It is a unique song with a unique beat with a unique dance that cuts across all demographics. It is a song that’s just so alive that it lifts your spirit. It’s a song that simply says when you work from Monday to Friday, you owe yourself the duty to unwind from Friday to Sunday.  And as I keep saying, Yahoozee was not one that propagated or celebrated Yahoo Yahoo boys in any way or form. The music was one that simply illustrated how money is being spent in our country after living in poverty for a very long time, the intoxication of making it in life after a very long struggle. That was all I was trying to illustrate in the song and nothing more as people claim.

Tell us your experience on stage with Colin Powell at last year’s Africa Rising festival in London.

Maintain: Wow! Well, that was just a totally memorable experience. That’s just living proof that music is a universal language that cuts across age, race, class or gender. It is an experience that would never be forgotten in a hurry as it was a swell time on stage and having Colin Powell dance to our own Naija rhythms and lyrics.

Your album, ‘Press Play’, tell us about it.

Maintain: Well, this is a 2 in 1 album. It’s an Olu Maintain presents Kentro World and it is also a 21-track album produced by Tayo Adeyemi aka TY Snoop. It is an album that really emphasises the kind of legacy I want to be remembered for or by.

What happened to the Maintain group and why did every one decide to go solo?

Maintain: As you know, the only constant thing in life is change. Having being together since 1997, we just got to a point where the only inevitable development was to move but in different directions. It was an understanding between the both of us.

Some musicians are trying their hands on acting; are you thinking along that line and what other films have you acted in, if you have ever acted?

Maintain: Yes, I did a Yoruba movie with an actress called Laide Bakare called ‘IJO YA’. In that movie, I discovered another part of me which means I might in the future diversify and try my luck in movies. But then, music will always be part of me anytime, any day.

Most artistes have been complaining that organisers of shows are giving preferential treatment to foreign artistes in terms of money. What is your view on this?

Maintain: Well, the industry is growing better, proper structure will need to be put in place if an international act is coming  Nigeria from a better structured industry; hence, they’ll will be valued much more. As such, we need to further put more hands on deck so that rebranding is channelled along the right direction which will then automatically add immense value to the art of the Nigerian artiste.

What are the greatest challenges you have faced so far in your music career?

Maintain: Beating the standards I set for myself.

Are you married, and if not, how do you cope with the various gestures from ladies knowing full well that you are a star to reckon with?

Maintain: No, I am still single. What I can say is that ladies make the world go round. They make all the difference as far as fan base is concerned.

What has been your greatest regret in your music career so far?

Maintain: Putting so much effort into stuff and not being appreciated and often misunderstood as being arrogant as most people believe me to be.

Do you ever find time to relax and unwind?

Maintain: Well, all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, as they say, so yes, I do.

How did your parents take your music career from the beginning?

Maintain: Surprisingly, they supported me from day one, because my dad had a flair for music though he is a medical doctor, but plays the guitar.

How many collaborations have you done with other artistes and who are they?

Maintain: I’m very sensitive about collabos. I have done quite a few with Femi Kuti, Eldee, Konga.

What is your take on the Nigerian entertainment industry?

Maintain: It’s growing at a very progressive pace, but artistes have to realise that the longevity and sustainability of our generation as today’s voice rests on us leaving a legacy that is purposeful in the society.

Tell us about your next album and what your fans should expect?

Maintain: It is an album that defines yesterday, today and tomorrow.

What other thing do you do aside from music?

Maintain: The music business is serious business. Everything I do is related to the industry I’ve found myself in.

Your fans in the North have this perception of you not having concerts in the Northern part of the country. Why is this?

Maintain: I have toured every state in the North. I may not have gone to a state more than once, but when the occasion calls for it, we are always at their service. We are loyal to our fans everywhere in the country.

Do you have one last word for your fans?

Maintain:  With all due respect, press play. I remain loyal and grateful to you all. Without you all, I would never have made it or reached where I am today.