By Oluwadamilola Akinduro

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A musician, El-hadj Wasiu Kayode Sideeq, stage name ‘Babanwaka,’ was born in Mushin, Lagos State. He had his primary school education at Odu Abore Memorial, Iyalla, in Mushin in the 1970s. He also went to Vetland Grammar School, Oko Oba, Agege, in the 1980s.

“In his interview with Weekend Extravaganza, he disclosed why he is culturally unique.”

How did your music career started?

“I competed in quiz competitions, literary and debate impromptu speeches, and music competitions. I was the representative of my school. From there, I learned the trade of music, having inherited a lot of musical ideas from my father. I chose music as a career in 1986, and the formation of my band came into existence. Babanwaka was adopted as my stage name later in my professional career. My band members and I introduced Yoruba percussion, such as Iya’ilu (mother of drum), Dundun, Konga, and Agidigbo, to showcase my cultural uniqueness, which people really welcomed and enjoyed.”

Why are you culturally unique among the other Muslim singers?

Initially, when I formed my band in the ’80s, I met some musicians who were really making strong waves in my field. I then sat down and thought deeply about what I could do or introduced to my own kind of music that would make me stand out among others. This inclination made me culturally unique by bringing in the elements I will mention one by one. “I conducted a thorough feasibility study on who the fans that listened to my genre of music were.

“After discovering this, I introduced ‘FAST LYRICS TEMPO’. To the amazement of others, this introduction of fast lyrics tempo was the first thing that differentiated me from my co-musicians. It was after the introduction in my album titled ‘ERU OLOHUN’ that they adopted the tempo and followed suit.

“Moreover, I introduced a type of percussion called “BATA” and “GUITAR STRING JAZZ.” I was the first Islamic musician to use my picture on albums.

“What I encountered was totally different because pictures that denoted Islamic religion were used by other musicians at that time.

“I also introduced CALL AND RESPONSE PRAYERFUL WAKA LYRICS. Above all, my mode of dressing should not be left out, as my outfits for all my shows were different. I dressed to woo my fans and also incorporated unique music introductions, dancing steps, call and response elements into my music. My stage performances with my band group were incomparable, as I held my audience spellbound from beginning to end.

Did you belong to any Organizations in Nigeria? If yes, name them?

Yes, I am a member of the Performing Musicians Employers Association of Nigeria, a member and immediate past president of the Islamic Musicians Association of Nigeria, presently the scribe of the Board of Trustees of the association, a member of the Golden Movie Ambassadors Association of Nigeria, and also an alumni member of VETOSAN (Vetland Grammar School Old Students Association).

Who are your role models?

“Since the genesis of my music career, my role models have been Alhaji Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshall, Sheikh Adam Abdullah Al’Alory, Alhaji Abdullah Gbadegesin Akinbode, and Alhaji Abdul Wahab Olalere Falowo.”

How many albums have you released?

“With the help of my band members, I was able to release my first album in 1988 titled ‘Aditu Meta’, followed by ‘Mimo Oluwa’ in 1989, ‘Ninu Aye’ in 1990, and ‘Kogbagbe e’ in 1992.

In 1993/1994, I was signed by one of the best music label owners based in Lagos state, named Babs Music and Video Company. The union was fruitful with the release of a political satire album titled ‘Eru Olohun’. The album sold millions of copies and shot me to limelight, making me a household name in Nigeria.

I have released over 20 albums, excluding the duets. Altogether, I have spent over 30 years in the field of music. To God be the glory. Another album is coming up soon.

How many countries have you been to in Diaspora?

“I have been to about 3 or 4 African countries to start with: Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Togo, Ghana, and the Republic of Benin. Additionally, I have visited European countries such as France, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, the UK, Canada, and the United States of America in 2012.”

Can you tell us a day you can never forget?

“The day I cannot forget in my life as a musician was the day I was given the acronym ‘Babanwaka’. This name was later adopted as a stage name and the name for my band, giving birth to my new name ‘El-hadj Wasiu Kayode Sideeq and his Babanwaka band’. Initially, this happened in the year 2004.”

What is your advice for  upcoming musician?

“My advice to upcoming musicians is that they should strive hard to discover themselves in order to be themselves. Imitation is allowed, but they should try to create a niche for themselves so that whenever their voice is heard, people will be able to differentiate them from others. Above all, they should never abandon God for anything.”