..... As He Speaks on His 20 years on stage
One musician who have kept dazzling the Entertainment Industry with his own type of music is Demola Suzi. He is the Chairman, Association of Juju Musicians of Nigeria (AJUMN). Young vibrant, talented and without doubt well informed, Demola Suzi has carved a niche for himself with his Highlife-Juju music. He has within a very short time stormed the industry with his creativity that has made him become an household name across the globe. Join us as EventDiaryLifestylenews take a walk into knowing the personality of this great musician Demola Suzi as he speaks on his career and other issues. Enjoy!
Can you tell us who Demola Suzi is?
I am Sir Ademola Adegoke Ogunsusi (Knight of Charlse Wesley) aka Sir Demola Suzi (SDS). I was born in the early 80s, a native of Ode-Irele, Ondo State, Nigeria. I graduated from Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) where I studied French. I am the Chairman, Demola Suzi Music Worldwide Ltd. The company is into live musical performances, music production and sound rental. I was honoured with the title Knight of Charles Wesley (KCW) by the Conference of Methodist Church Nigeria in 2019. I have numerous awards and titles to my credit. I am happily married to Lady Labimpe Suzi Ogunsusi and we are blessed with a son.
When did you start your music career?
I started my blend of highlife and juju music early in 2000. As a matter of fact, my venturing into music was dependent on my talent. My music talent was notice when I was about 12 years old. I can play the drums with so much dexterity and I play the piano fluently with ease. My rendition of songs was said to be attractive and people noticed the passion I put into anything music.
My style of music is a blend of highlife and Juju music. As a young boy, I took interest in a lot of highlife and juju music. As a multi-instrumentalist, I find it easy to mix highlife and juju music thereby creating something uniquely different. I tried my hands on various musical instruments like guitar, keyboard brass, trumpets, saxophone, piano, etc and I expressed myself with them. I am convinced that God has endowed me with some talent hence the creative exhibition of my works. I have also enjoyed the mentorship of multi-instrumentalists.
How have you been coping with the challenges?
Every job has its challenges and hazards but one will only rise above the challenges by not giving up. I remember roaming the streets of Lagos in search of a record label and music promoter. Most of those I met turned me down simply because I was unknown. Interestingly, the narratives have changed today because the internet has simplified the approach to link music promoters. Many music distribution platforms now exist on the internet where one can access. Times are indeed better now than before.
How did you come about the name Demola Suzi?
It is an abbreviation of my name. From my surname Ogunsusi, I evolved SUZI from the last four alphabets of the name. That’s how Demola Suzi emerged.
To the glory of God, I have produced five albums and a lot of Singles. My first album title “Good News” was a big hit that shot me into limelight. My Single track titled “Okuku E Ye Wa” was another success story. Other albums include All My Praise, Okuku E Ye Wa, Lifted & Grateful, and of course my recent work, “SDS 40FyD”/ This was supposed to be launched in April in commemoration of my 40th birthday but for the COVID-19 pandemic.
Did you at anytime feel like quitting music?
Of course. There have been times when I wanted to quit. At the early stage, getting organized was a major task. Putting together the right team, the ideal equipment and various logistics were tough to implement but one has to forge through the storm. Now the storm seems to have subsided to the glory of God, new challenges of pleasing our numerous clients surfaced. (laughing). Some of my clients cannot comprehend that I can be booked ahead of their own engagement. And as human beings, they tghrow it at my face claiming they were there when I was growing and struggling. Some even consider my inability to hearken to their requests as pride. As a musician who is into public relations business, I try to be diplomatic and help reduce any form of bad blood or enmity. But it can be frustrating at times. Imagine wanting to perform at an event and your equipment refused to function. Can you imagine the chaos expected from your client? Or you go for an outing only to discover that you ran at a loss with so many expenses to account for. This can sometimes make me feel like walking away from it all. But God often gives me the courage to pick myself up realizing that nothing good comes easy. There is no smooth path to the top. While it is true that success attracts enemies and troubles, only the strong and determined ones achieve success in its reality.
I have quite a lot of musicians who helped shaped my musical career however I will mention a few. Prince Moboluwaji Crossdale was a highlife music guru. He was a master trumpeter who I adore a lot. His musics resonates across the globe despite the fact that he had gone to the world beyond, How I wished I had met him when he was alive. Sir Shina Peters is another musician that I hold in high esteem. He is a passionate multi-instrumentalist whose type of music, Afro Juju, has continued to wow his global audience. I listen to him a lot while growing up. Interestingly I have had the opportunity of performing live with him on stage. Tuface Idibia is another musician I respect. His high vocal range has long caught my fancy, little wonder I call him The Blessed One. Tuface is very humble and accommodating. It’s always electrifying when he performs live on stage to the admiration of his numerous fans. Others include Bob Marley, our own legendary Fela Kuti, Sunny Okosun, Lagbaja, Wyclef Jean; these are the ones I can remember offhand.
How Do You Cope With Your Female Admirers?
You will agree with me that even men who are not into show-business or public figures get advances from women. This has been happening since the days of Abraham (laughing) and definitely it wont end in the nearest future. Self-discipline is the key. A man who is not self-disciplined will sooner than late fall for anything. I may not be perfect but I try to retrace my steps if occasions call for a mistake. Certainly I have vowed to a one-man, one-woman policy and God has helped me thus far.
What Is Your Contribution To The Happenings In Ondo State?
Music is a powerful tool and if properly used, it will affect all and sundry. I have always used my music to preach morals, peaceful coexistence to the people. My music have sent sent messages to the youths to take charge of their lives and stop engaging in social vices. I have encourage upcoming artistes to further their career by giving them support in all forms. I have even done single tracks to help join in various crusades in the interest of the people generally. “Okuku E Ye Wa” is one song I made free for download to help support the propaganda for the reactivation of electric power supply in some areas in the Southern part of Ondo State. Some of my singles are still creating waves out there to sensitise people on the COVID-19 pandemic, educating the populace on how to prevent and protect themselves against the outbreak. Sincerely we are making our impact known as a mark of Community Social Responsibility and we hope tto do more given more financial capability. Let the big money come then you will see us doing more (laugh).
The Industry is growing from strength to strength, especially the Association of Juju Musicians of Nigeria (AJUMN). AS a body AJUMN seeks to promote interpersonal relationships amongst members and help protect our rights by law as it concerns our intellectual properties. To the glory of God, I was elected as the Chairman of the Association of Juju Musicians of Nigeria, Ondo State Chapter in December 2018. The Association enjoys the support of all members since only a Juju musician will understand the mind of another Juju musician.
