Ojetayo Oluwadamilare, aka Ajakaye, the Hip-Hop artiste behind Sai Buhari, Sai Baba, the All Progressives Congress (APC) 2015 presidential campaign theme song, has pulled another stunt with the rebranded Ojaja – the New Face of Ooni of Ife in Lagos. The Oke-Igbo, Ondo State born singer, in this interview with Damisi Ojo, hinges his passion for music on the promotion of Yoruba cultural renaissance.
What actually spurred your passion to transform into the new face of Ojaja, the Ooni of Ife and not another Oba or personality?
As a culturally-inclined person, the inspiration and thirst for the cultural renaissance and rebirth of undiluted Yoruba culture motivated my research. And as a proud Yoruba artiste, the only way I think I can help the Yoruba cultural rebirth is to use my talent as my quota in reawakening campaign because research has shown that Yoruba culture is one of the cultures facing extinction. And you know the source of all Yoruba is Ile Ife and our Oba, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, the Ojaja by his position is a deity not only that he is highly passionate about the reawakening and unity of Yoruba race. In fact, he has played his role as a Globally Recognised Peace Ambassador. His actions and benevolence inspired me as my role model, so I decided to use my face to promote him as Ojaja in the entertainment world. As a young man having a blood affinity and roots with Ile ife and also from omo Afolu oje family ruling quarter which their profession is basically based on culture, it is like I am promoting my family by re-branding as the face of Ojaja.The vision behind Ooni of Ife branding can also be linked to the fact that Ooni of Ife,Oba Oguwunsi’s afflicted related a little with my home town Oke-Igbo in Ondo state and from the Dynasty family Ologbenla known to be famous warrior. This also naturally prompted my keen interest in this supernatural being that I have to adopt Ojaja as my brand and in my next album we are dedicating it to the Ooni of Ife’s unmatched achievements in preaching peace, progress and unity among all Obas and people of Yoruba nation. I am identifying with his vision, mission and goal. I am branding and preaching peace and unity as well emulating his humility and enterprise.
It is like the re-branding project has slowed you down or make you less active in the musical radar or what is happening?
Apart from re-branding project, I am an agriculturist and my attempt to fulfill certain professional dictates took me off a bit and perfecting my new label, Loyalty Empire Records. I also took time off to perfect work on my new album project, which I just dropped a new single featuring the Afro Musical Machine with stage name Jumabee, titled Iyanuashell, meaning miracle must happen which is a track from it. I just dropped a song online premier on www.tooxclusive.com title Jabrata featuring a German Nigeria hip-hop based international star whose stage name is CeeHigh. I am also dropping my new single. And if you check my ratings, I am already coming up with these few activities which my followership on the different social media platforms can attest to on my facebook @ajakaye and my instagram @iamajakaye and my record label instagram @loyalty_empire_record.
To your fans and the entertainment community, what must they be expecting from the newly rebranded Ojaja?
There are many things. I am an ideological and multi-talented performer who has a lot of surprises in my pouch and to really prepare me for the new task and role, my Corporate Handlers and Publicist, Gokemedia & Associates, have designed a very fantastic workable strategies and plan of action that will help jump-start, ignite my new brand, “His Royal Majesty, Ojaja Oba Stage” will be accorded that desired status. This strategic positioning of Ojaja incorporates adequate media hype and brand setting, both local and foreign tours, create A-Lists events and also market me for international engagement, concerts and brand endorsements. So my brand can enjoy that optimum exposure reputed of an international star.