INTERVIEW WITH MR. MICHEAL OLUSEGUN
ALAO J.P
popularly known in music circles as Segun Melody, the Jalingo Taraba
state based Juju musician speaks about his music and family life.
E.P: Briefly introduce yourself.
Answer: I am Micheal Olusegun Alao
JP, I was born in Ogbomosho in oyo state, I had my primary education at osupa
Baptist primary school Ogbomosho but concluded my primary education at Baptist
Day School. Oko a town very close to Ejigbo in osun state, I attended Baptist
Secondary Grammar School Oko and later went to Ori Oke Community High School
Ogbomosho. I also attended the University of Ilorin. I read Performing Arts and
graduated in 2001. I went back for my masters at Unilorin in the same course of
performing arts I concluded the programme in 2005.
E.P: What genre or type of music do
you play and what is the name of your band?
Answer: I sing JuJulife it is a
fusion of juju and highlife sometimes I experiment with what I called Jujupop.
It is a fusion of juju and hip pop. My band’s name is Mayor and the Melody
Makers I founded it in 2003 but we officially unveiled it on May 2004.
E.P: Any album yet if yes what is
the title?
Answer: I have not produce any
album, I tried to produce one in 2005 but I didn’t work out, I recorded the
voice but at a point we had to stop because those that promised to assist
disappointed me, I just collected the half done copy.
E.P: At what stage did you decide
that its music you want to make as your profession?
Answer: During my undergraduate at
unilorin I use to tell friends that I would have a band of my own after
graduation. At performing Arts Departmental Productions. I use to compose most
of the music, I have flair for writing music it comes to me naturally maybe
because I am a seraph I don’t know, when I was posted to Taraba state in 2002
for Youth Service the responsibility of becoming the lead vocalist of the
church I attend fell on me, I had to compose songs for the choir anniversary
too. One day someone invited our choir to perform at a wedding reception, it
was there that I was advised to start a professional band. That was how I
started the Melody Makers band.
E.P: What gives you inspiration when
writing or composing your music?
Answer: God is the source of my
inspiration. Sometimes I look at what happens around me and the situations of
things in the country. For instance in my aborted album, I sang about the
precarious situation of things in the country.
E.P: In terms of acceptance
especially for a musician playing juju music outside the southern part of
Nigeria what are the peoples response to your music?
Answer: In terms of acceptance well
people here in Taraba especially in jalingo accept us. Though people in this
part of the country most times do not know the value of live band, they
complain that we charge high fees. However we are the choice of those that
appreciate live band most Yoruba’s and some people from the east.
E.P: Any new project now music wise?
Answer: I have a lot of projects at
hand but the problem is money and distance. Jalingo is two days journey to the
west where I come from and the home of this type of music and where you can get
good studios and producers. All the same am working on something by next year I
plan to release an album God willing.
E.P: How can your fans contact you
and your message to them?
Answer: My fans can contact me on
face book Segun Melody Makers mayor JP, my fans should expect something great
from me next year.
E.P: Tell us about family life?
Answer: Am married to Becky a lovely
lady from Ilaro in Ogun state we are blessed with four kids
