IRAWO: My Quest for Freedom 13

I gave myself the stage name, DJ Irawo. Initially, it was simply Irawo but when Seyi Shay sang her song titled, Irawo and it was difficult to quickly 

find my name on Google search, I added Drumline to it and became Irawo Drumline. Along the line, I went for DJ workshops and began to fall in love with my one time talent, deejaying, so, I added DJ to Irawo Drumline. Then I thought to myself, ''This name is too long. I need a short name''. So, I removed the Drumline and now, it is simply, DJ Irawo. My slogan remains, ‘The talking drum ambassador’. I was given this title by Intro Afika, the organizers of the Yoruba International Drum Festival in 2014.

The name, Irawo, was arrived at when the film editor of my graduation performance at PEFTI told me that I needed a unique name. According to him, Olukemi, which I had wanted to call myself, was too boring. Many people thought it ought to be, Ayankemi but I was not comfortable with that. So I came up with the name Irawo.

I decided to call myself Irawo because; I liken myself to Jesus Christ, the bright and morning star. When Christ was born, the star led the three astrologers and the shepherds to go and worship Him. In this sense, my drums are the stars because when I beat them, it leads people to come watch me especially because I am a female.

I also chose Irawo because I am a woman of many talents. I am a drummer, DJ, songwriter, singer, music director, music publisher, drum instructor, blogger, scriptwriter and business writer.

I get bored easily so, doing different things now and then makes my entertainment career interesting.

My genres of music revolve around jazz, electronic, house and folk. Most people find my combination weird considering my love for playing African percussions. But this is me. I can be creative as I want and simply pray that my audience love my style. I like to create my own path, not copying anyone.

Many musicians have inspired me. Examples of these musicians are; King Sunny Ade, Chief Ebenezer Obey, Onyeka Onwenu, Christie Igbokwe, Sir Sina Peters, Ara, Ayanbirin, Asa.

Foreign and African artists like Tina Turner, Michael Jackson, Eddie Grant, several jazz musicians, Angelique Kidjo, have motivated me to pick up a music career.

I developed an interest in the talking drum after I watched Ara on television. She came for the Funmi Iyanda show in 1998. She came along with some elderly drummers and they drummed in a performance. I was engrossed in the show. I had just come to the sitting room to take a break from studying. I was on industrial attachment with Equitorial Trust Bank and also preparing for the first stage of my ICAN exams (Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria). My father was also in the sitting room watching the programme. 

After the show, I told my father that I would like to play drums like her some day, professionally. He told me to keep quiet and face my studies. So, I forgot that thought.

Today, I have forfeited my professional practice as an accountant and auditor to pursue my music career. It gives me joy to pursue my heart's desires.

To be continued

IRAWO: My Quest for Freedom 12

I decided to resign from my job and from the one after that. I would have died if I did not leave. Once, I fainted in my hotel room at a business retreat. I could no longer cope as a wife, mother, housekeeper, etc. I did not have time for my children. I would be up for work early and would come back home late every day. I cannot come and die joo. So, I resigned.

Everyone was wondering why I left my promising job. They are not in my shoes and I will not let society dictate for me how to run my life. My husband too was upset that I left a job that the monthly income was sure, but he will not assist me with house chores when I needed because of my tasking job. He was speaking to the wind, not me. 

I paid for a house help. She came and said she was leaving after staying for only a week. I did not molest or monitor how she ate my food. She just said that she was bored. She thought that I was living in a crowded area; a face me, I slap you kind of settlement so she would have time to be doing rubbish with my neighbours, abi? Oya, come and go! I know when I have had enough. I stopped work to take care of my children. Anybody that wants to get angry about money matters should hug the transformer! It is my life!

In 2010, I registered my business, Drumline Entertainment, to take care of the entertainment and music requirements of my client and I. Initially, I had given my demo CDs to some record label executives and music managers. They did not like my sound. It was not what they sought. They wanted me to do regular music like everyone else. I was not going to change my style of music for anybody. It is either you like my music or you buzz off! Besides, I had heard about issues that musicians and artistes had with their record labels. I was not ready to be part of this mess. So I made up my mind to pursue my dreams on a solo platform whilst also reading and learning about the industry. Nevertheless, I would love to be signed to an international record label. A Nigerian based record label, bigger than Drumline Entertainment and with better opportunities and with no corner-corner moves will also get my vote. For now, I am independent and not willing to change my style of music. 

I chilled out before deciding to really pursue my music career because I wanted my children to grow older. I felt that once I start to tour and all that, I will not have time for them. Now, they are getting older and I am having more time for my music career.

To be continued