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Adesanmi is the son of popular juju maestro, Sunday Adeniyi Adegeye, otherwise known as KSA. He talks about the kind of life his father leads behind the stage in this interview with GBENGA ADENIJI
What memories of your childhood can you recall?
I remember growing up with a lot of people around to play with; brothers, sisters and family members. It was really fun. It is still fun now because we are all grown up, some working in Nigeria and some abroad. During Christmas period, when we come together, we often relive the memories of our growing up years.
How was he able to create time for his children considering the demands of his profession?
My father tried to create time for his family despite the fact that he was busy then. He is still a busy man. The only time we did not get to see him was when he went to perform outside Lagos. But once the shows ended, he would return home early to be with us. Some of us attended Mayflower, Ikenne, Ogun State while others attended Lantana School, Lagos. Those in Mayflower were in boarding house while a bus conveyed those of us that attended Lantana to school. But my father made sure that we went to school before he left the house. He always drove those who woke up late and were unable to follow the bus to school himself.
I recall some movies featuring notable actors and actresses in Nigeria which we used to watch in our Bariga home. There was a place we called ‘palace’ in our house where we all sat to watch the films as they were released. It was always fun as we sat together as one big, happy family that we are. We enjoyed the films and no one could differentiate the children of one wife from the other as we could sleep in any of the rooms we preferred. My cousins and nieces often slept over too after watching the movies far into the night. The experience was really fun.
Did your father take his family out for picnics?
Yes. He took us out for picnics. We were always at the Apapa Amusement Park and some other places. In fact, during Christmas time, we used to visit many places to catch fun. Many family members used to come to Lagos and each person would pick their cloth size from a container containing a bale of clothes. It could be Ankara, lace material, jeans or T-shirt depending on what the person wanted.
How does he relax?
He relaxes by sleeping. But anytime he is not sleeping, he watches movies. My father likes watching movies a lot. He would ask if we had watched a particular movie he was watching. If we asked him how he had the time to watch films, he could ask if we thought he was an old man.
What is his daily schedule like?
He operates a very busy schedule because he has his musical career to focus on and businesses to run.
Does he compose songs at home?
Yes, he does. He could be watching television and suddenly gets an inspiration for a song. Immediately, he would hum the song to himself and record it. He always carries a recorder with him whether he is in a car, watching television or alone. He plays the recorder afterwards to merge the songs he earlier recorded. I think I learnt from him in that area because I carry my book and pad everywhere I go as a cloth designer. If I am driving and an idea comes to me, I will park and make a sketch of whatever it is. I am not a singer but I am a creative being. Creativity runs in our family.
How did he discipline any child who misbehaved?
My father corrected any child who did anything wrong privately. He never used a whip nor the cane on any of us. But when he was angry, it would show on his face. His reaction often made others not to misbehave. Before he showed his annoyance, there was always a warning process for the erring child. Generally, he corrected through a firm look and private correction.
How did he handle misunderstanding with his wives?
Disagreement is normal in any human relationship. I recall that I once watched a documentary where lions fought. I then told my uncle that I was surprised that lions could fight one another because of their fierceness. He told me that it was normal. There was no serious disagreement between my father and any of his wives. He is a cool man and his presence makes everybody happy.
Didn’t he influence you into music?
Three of my siblings are into music. I am a shy person and I don’t think that is good for music. When I was growing up, I remember that there was a shooting for a musical video. I was called upon to dance but I ran away and hid under the bed.
Have you ever been on stage with him?
Yes. There was a time he was rounding off a performance and he called us to come and dance. I almost ran away but couldn’t because it was a large gathering. You know my father performs in big gatherings. The crowd was too much for me.
Who are your father’s friends?
One of them was a man called Mr. Ashaye. He is also close to Mr. Rilwan Belo-Osagie. There are so many of them cutting across many disciplines. I know he is also close to Mr. Clement Ige who is one of his friends.
How sociable is he?
He is very sociable. But as sociable as he is, he likes the private life too. I remember a jalopy I was driving when I was in school. He told me he would want to ride with me. I told him he should not be seen inside such a car. But being some who likes a private life despite being sociable, he insisted and I had no choice than to do what he wanted.
Does he have any special meal?
Yes he does. He likes Chinese food. But his favourite is eba and egusi or vegetable with pieces of meat.
What is his favourite car?
The way I look at it, when one has broad experiences about life, there will come a time when some things will no longer appeal to one again. When he was younger, he had a Range Rover and other brand of cars. But now he drives Camry and other car brands. He could even ask his driver to park and allow him to pick a taxi to wherever he is going. He is not too particular about material things.
What are the values he holds dear which you have imbibed?
My father is very humble. His humility humbles me. He gives respect to everybody no matter who the person is. He is also very hard working. These values are what I have imbibed from him and I continue to exhibit too in my dealings with people and as I move on in life. He is down-to-earth. I recall one day we were travelling and he felt hungry. He said he wanted to eat bean cakes. We were all surprised because we expected that because of his status he would not want to ask for such in public. We eventually got some which we all ate. That shows how simple he is. He does not attach too much importance to things. I try to copy his good manners too because he is a great man.
How do people relate with you when they know you are KSA’s son?
It is an honour because people always want to do business with me by virtue of who my father is. They also expect a high standard because my father is a man of standard. I try not to do anything below the expected standard. He is a very nice and caring man who everybody will want to have as a father.
How close are you to him?
We are close. I call him Papa and he always tells me jokingly that Papa is an old man without teeth. Each time I call him Papa on phone, even without using my number, he would say ‘O tun tide o’ (meaning, you have started again). He knows I am the only one that calls him by such nickname.
Did you enjoy any preferential treatment from lecturers as a student?
When I was at the University of Lagos studying Actuarial Science, there was a book I had to buy for one of my courses. I went to the lecturer who was in charge to get a copy and he asked me what my name was. I said Adesanmi Adeniyi-Adegeye. He asked me if I was related to KSA and I said he was my father. He told me to keep my money and wrote on the first page of the book ‘To the son of my musical idol.’ I was so happy and when my friends saw what was written on the book, they teased me that I was enjoying my father’s popularity.
Many believe his music attracts more female admirers?
I know that his music appeals to both male and female. His fans cut across all sexes, races and religions. Like I said earlier, my father likes people around him. There are usually cousins, nieces and extended family members around him. This may be why people think his immediate family is large.
What is his mode of dressing?
When he was much younger, he liked jeans and casual wears. But as he became of age, he likes to wear traditional attire.
How did he react when you decided to be a cloth designer?
I actually started cloth designing when I was an undergraduate. He called and advised me to focus first on my studies when he heard of my passion for cloth designing. He does not joke with education. He actually encouraged me because he said some people told him to abandon music when he started.
What is his contribution to the nation’s music industry?
My father’s songs and that of his contemporaries have largely assisted in drawing global attention to the rich culture and heritage of the Nigerian people and Africa as a whole. With his songs, he continues to showcase the vast and abundant talents in Nigeria and the potential of its people even as it provides a moral direction.
How did his family handle the case involving his ill-health some years ago?
It was really not a serious thing. It was a minor incident but speculations were rife. Having worked so hard, he needed to rest but he was unable to do so until he took ill. He decided to go abroad and take care of himself. We were always talking with him when he was away but some people said he was very sick because he was away for some time.
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