Celebrated show host, media entrepreneur and politician, Dr. Dayo Adeneye aka D1, has advised musicians to save for the rainy day and invest wisely as nobody can remain on top forever. He gave this advice at an educational workshop to tutor fresh graduates on their career paths. The co-CEO of Primetime Entertainment in this chat with SAM ANOKAM also talks about his contributions to the popularisation of afrobeats as well as other relevant topics in the entertainment industry.
What is your impression about seminars on enlightening the youths?
It’s about youth empowerment, a way to guide our young people, point them in the right direction especially graduates fresh from the university that do not know which direction they want to go. It is just our own small way of giving back and helping guide them in their chosen career or in entrepreneurship, just to give them guardianship and mentorship.
You noted the evolution of Afrobeats, how you started it from the songs you helped push, how was it like then?
I don’t take credit for starting Afrobeats. I didn’t mean to say I started Afrobeats, the foundation, the seeds for Afrobeats were sown with the likes of Daddy Showkey, Tony Tetuila, etc but mostly promulgated with the platforms of Raypower and AIT. The late Dr. Dokpesi, at that time, gave his platform for us to support local artists and by that we were able to grow our local talents into what you are hearing today.
You have seen it all in the entertainment industry in Nigeria, what is your impression about what is happening in the music industry?
It is growing in leaps and bounds. We always knew it would blow. Nigeria is a country of 250 million people. Look, people think Burna boy is the first Nigerian to win award, the Grammy – King Sunny Ade has been nominated over seven times, late Fela Anikulapo, Femi Kuti was nominated for Grammys seven times, Sade Adu has won the Grammys, Seal has won Grammys, so Nigerians have won it before. It is just that this young generation thinks these young people that are doing it are the first to do it now. But that is all well and good. They are bringing Nigeria into the good light when they are performing or winning awards , positive things are being said about Nigeria rather than 419 or drug smuggling. They are bringing positive attention to Nigeria.
What is happening to Kennis music?
Kennis Music is still very much there. We are more into radio and TV now and not so much into the artists because now artists are doing their thing on social media. We have evolved. We also have Kennis FM. We have to evolve with the times and that is what we are doing now.
Are you still discovering talents?
We discover talents everyday. Some talents were discovered here today but what you do with them is another thing. I don’t have the time or energy at my age like I said earlier to be chasing artists anymore but we still find ways to nurture them.
What do you think the young generation is doing that is not right that needs to be corrected?
My job is not to find what they are doing to correct. They are adults, they know what is right and what is wrong for their career and for themselves. From experience, I would say they need to invest their money properly. That is the number one thing. You are on top today does not mean that you are going to be on top forever. While you are on top, gather your money, energies, and invest wisely. Nobody stays on top forever. Michael Jackson didn’t reign forever, so while you are on top, be reasonable with your income, be grounded, invest wisely, tie your money and invest. Let your money work for you. Whether you are on top today or another artist is coming after you tomorrow, nobody stays number one forever.
What is your impression about entertainers or celebrities going into politics like yourself?
It is just a profession. The people that are in politics now were not born politicians, some of them are doctors, lawyers, engineers, etc, so, it is just a profession. Why can’t somebody in entertainment aspire to contribute to the decisions that are being made in Nigeria? I don’t think it is such a big deal and we should not make a big deal out of it. Entertainers are citizens. The people that are in politics are also citizens.
Are you encouraging more to come out?
That is one of the reasons I went into it. I didn’t want to sit at home and be one of those complainants. They say if you cannot beat them, join them. You can make a difference from being on the inside rather than sitting at your home and making complaints. I don’t want to ever be a part of people that just sit around and complain. I also realise that some others aspire and look up to us, the young ones can be like if D1 can do it, I can do it too. All of us cannot sit at home and say politics is dirty or I cannot participate because the decisions those people make affect you and I. It is good to participate and get involved.
