......... As he speaks on his 24 years musical career
Taye Turaya whose real name is Taiwo Solomon is one of the Ondo based musicians who had make impact and contribute to the entertainment industry in the sunshine state and Nigeria as a whole. This Juju High- life singer open up on his life and his musical career. Enjoy
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| Taye Turaya on stage |
Can you briefly tell us who Taye Turaya is?
Thank you for this opportunity, am Taiwo Solomon popularly known as Taye Turaya. I was born over 40 years ago in Ikare Akoko, Ondo state though many taught am from Ondo State but am from Erin-Ijesa in Oriade Local Government area, Osun State. I attended All Saint Ang. Pry school Ikare Akoko and later proceeded to the prestigious Victory College Ikare Akoko for my secondary. I had my Ordinary Diploma (ND) in Business Administration from Ondo State Polytechnic now Rufus Giwa polytechnic Owo and I proceed for my Bachelor's degree in Business Administration at Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba Akoko, Ondo state. Despite my Business Administration background, am a Musician.
You are a graduate of Business Administration while music?
Music has always been part of me right from my childhood days though it all started during my secondary School days at Victory College, Ikare Akoko in Ondo state. I want to believe that I didn't chose music rather music chose me. One thing I realized while growing up is the inspiration, the love and the passion I have for music and I must say, this has made me to go far and go places all glory to God Almighty. Am a Juju High-life artists.
How do you get your inspiration?
My inspiration comes from God.
At what time did you start music?
Like I said earlier, I began music right from my childhood, this time 24 years ago. But in 1997 I formed my own band called Taye Turaya Band.
Did you just start singing on your own or you pass through training?
When I realized I had passion for music, I decided to go through the training aspect of it and this lead me to my boss and my mentor, Chief Segun Adagunodo popularly known as Santana. So if you ask me I will say Yes I trained under Chief Segun Adagunodo around 1992. We started collaborating together on stage many years ago. I was is guitarist for years before I float my own band in 1997. Santana is one of our Juju Highlife living legend who had contribute to the growth of entertainment in Ondo state and Nigeria as a whole.
How did you come about the name Turaya?
I got the name from my fans who felt my style of music is an all round music that cut across everyone. We all know this famous cellphone call turaya then, the believe is that turaya phone does not have network failure and it's network is all round network. And going by my kind of music my fans felt it shares the same feature of no network failure with the popular turaya cellphone. My kind of music is dynamic, my network is round. I thank God for where we are today. It's a unique name which had taken me to places the world.
How long have you been in the industry and how many Album so far?
To the glory of God, this year marks my 24 years on stage, 24 years in the music industry, 24 years of me singing Juju Highlife, 24 years of God's grace. And I have produced 20 albums. My first album was Digital success while the current one is titled American TomTom. By the special grace of God come next month, we will be releasing double album titled Happy mood and Authority. Work is on going and our fans will not be disappointed.
Which of the album brought you to limelight?
All my Album are hit but I will say American Faaji.
To the glory of God, we have done collaboration with top artists within and outside the country, the likes of King sunny Ade, Dr Joel Yinka Ayefele, Sir shina peters, Taye currency a talented Fuji musician, Asiwaju Dele Taiwo, King Dr saheed Osupa, Abass Akande obesere to mention but few. We looking forward to collaborate with hip-hop artists.
In the 24 years of your career, what are some of challenges you have face?
Life it's self is very challenging. Though the journey had been challenging but most of what I will refer to as challenge are normal thing and very understandable in this industry. I have one philosophy that we have got numerous challenges but the more we live, the more we learn. Again then we had challenge of sound system but we thank God today, we didn't just have good sound system but full equipment.
You will agree with me that the industry is full of talent and we'll resource personalities but the likes of King Sunny Ade, Commander Ebenezer Obey and Dr Yinka Ayefele remain my mentor and role model in the industry.
What has music done for you?
Music has done a lot for me. Music has taken me to place like South Africa, Ivory-coast, Ghana and Togo. Have also been to United States of America, London, Malaysia and Canada all in the name of music. Am comfortable in my own world. Have also received many recognitions. In a nutshell I will say music have transform my life.
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