Kunle Fagbola and Kolawole Sanusi form the duo of Double K. Recently out with the video of their song, Kumanatale, the duo, signed under BW Records, is set to project their music to the world. In this interview with Joe Agbro Jr., they talk about their beginning and how they’re ready for the long haul
HOW did you guys start?
Kunle: Actually, we’ve been doing music for a long time now. He (Kola) normally comes to my place in Lafiaji area, Lagos Island. We do things together. We organise street jams, street shows. Professionally, we started two years ago. But we stay in the same hood. That was how we met. Right now, we have a new single which is called Kumanatale. And we also have a video for that song too. It was shot by Clarence Peters.
Music now is like an all-comers’ affair. Anyone that can drop a little rhyme believes he or she can go into music. Why do you think you’re different?
Kola: For me, I’ll say we didn’t get into music because we feel we can just do music. For us, music is something that comes to us naturally. It is more than just singing in your bathroom, thinking because you can sing, you’ll just go into the studio. It’s what we’ve been doing for a long time. And for us, there is a calling.
When you say you’ve been doing it for a long time, how long exactly?
Kunle: We’ve been doing music since we were in secondary school. That’s like ten years ago. We didn’t go to the same secondary school but he (Kola) normally comes to our school for music club. My own school (was) at Lafiaji which is on Lagos Island.
How did both of you meet to say, okay, let’s start a group?
Kola: well, it’s his (Kola) senior brother (that made it happen). We attended the same music club together. So, whenever we are having a music programme in our school, his brother is the president of that music club. So, he just called me back and said, ‘guy, my brother is into music, so, if you don’t mind, you guys can come up with something.’ So, the next day, he just invited him to our school and we met. So, ever since then, we’ve been trying to do stuffs together.
So far, how has the experience of being in music been like?
Kunle: For me, I would say it is good. But, it’s not that good. Before we came in, we thought it is something that we can just get there and get things to work. Once we are in now, we realise it takes a lot of hard work. There are a lot of people, there is a lot of competition out there. So, we need to work hard.
And what’s really difficult about that?
Kunle: It is spreading your music, for people to get to know you. Let me put it like this Nigerians, we are used to the same kind of people that have been giving us the kind of music we want. Giving the new act the attention takes a lot of work because the people there are still working hard to stay there. So, you coming from behind, you have to work very hard. That is what I’m saying spreading the music.
How about on the show circuit?
Kunle: It’s been good, I would say. Last year, we performed at Felabration. It was awesome performing on the same stage that Fela has performed on before. It was like a dream come true for us. I guess we’ll get there soon.
Were you intimidated by the crowd?
Kola: No, not at all. It’s something we’ve been used to. When we organise our shows, a lot of people come. So, we do our stuff. We just got on stage and do our thing.
Have you performed in a place where people didn’t like you?
Kunle: No, that has never happened to us. Anywhere we perform, we pull the crowd, even those hearing the song for the first time. That’s the kind of reaction we get anywhere we go.
As you’re still up and coming and trying to breaking into the A-list of entertainers, what would you consider as your greatest challenge?
Kunle: I would say the journey of a lifetime starts with a step. We’re coming out there and I believe, gradually, with the kind of songs we’re planning on dropping, in no time, people will get to recognise that these guys are talented. We have all it takes.
So, what are the major challenges that stop up and coming musical artistes from realising their potentials?
Kunle: Yeah, from me, I would say, they need to have the talent. And secondly, talent is not enough. You need money because without money, you can’t make it. That’s the truth about it. Apart from you being talented, you need a lot of connections too.
Now, it is being alleged that a lot of artistes pay to have their songs and videos played by radio and television stations. How has your experience been like?
Kunle: I don’t know about that because we have people in charge of doing that apart. We have people that go to the radio stations and deal with the people there. So, maybe they pay or not, I don’t know.
Is music something you see a future in?
Kola: Yes, for me
If you were not doing music, what would you have been doing?
Kunle: Business or playing football
Kola: For me, right from day one, I’ve been a business man. I think if I don’t do music, I’d rather go for football because I’m good in doing that.
Both of you play football
Both: Yeah na.
At professional level?
Kunle: (laughs) No ooo. I’d rather be into buying and selling. Anything buyable and anything sellable.
Let’s be specific here
Kola: Me, I’m into buying and selling of building materials. That was what I was doing before music called me.
Kunle: I like music business, anything music. So, if I’m not doing music professionally, I’d still be selling studio equipment.
What plans are there of coming out with an album?
Kunle: We are working on our singles for now. I won’t say we are dropping any album now. But what we’re trying to do is to drop more singles so that more people can know about us, that we can do stuffs, that this is what we are made of, before dropping our album. Because you can’t just come out from anywhere and drop an album. No. you have to drop some singles first for people to have to know you. So, our plan now is to drop another single and another video.
To do what you’ve mention, you require focus and dedication, but distractions could come in different forms. How do you guys cope with distractions such as family or women?
Kunle: for me as a man, I would say it is something you can’t do without. This is life and we have ups and downs. You just have to manage it. You just have to tell yourself that this is what I want. I need to stay focus. And you need to set your priorities right. For me, I think I’ll manage it all. This is life, anything can happen.
Kola: I think it’s something you can never avoid because in the music business, you just have to carry women along. Without them, I don’t think music can ever work for you because they are the ones who are going to show you love out there. I think it’s really moving fine.
So, is it that you don’t get distracted?
Kunle: Not really. You can get distracted but you need to fall back on track. We’re humans and no one is perfect.
How do you see Double K establishing itself as a group to be reckoned with?
Kunle: For me, I would say, through our hard work and through the stuff we’re dropping and maybe very soon, people would get to know that these guys are talented and they’re a force to reckon with, in Nigeria and beyond. That is my belief. All upcoming artistes need to stay focus, never give up and believe in themselves. Also, our fans out there, we love them. They should keep supporting us.
Kola: For people to get to know us in Nigeria and beyond. And also work with the big artistes in the industry. And be on top of the world. Upcoming artistes should first of all, put God first and believe that ‘this thing, we can do it.’ Never be discouraged by anybody around you. Be focused and always be yourself. Also, our fans should keep supporting us. Without them, there will be no Double K.
