Fela's grandnephew, Baba Kuboye says ‘I want to work on things I have not been doing before’

Babatunmida Kuboye, popularly known as Baba Kuboye is the son of renowned veteran Jazz duo, Tunde and late Fran Kuboye. Coming from a background steeped in music by virtue of his regular sessions at his parents’ popular Jazz 38 Club with The Extended Family Band, he has ventured into music. The Lagos born 'ajebo' who hails from Ondo state and lives in the United States of American was caught up in this interview with Friday Ehime Alex, correspondence at wikkencrew, an online news medium where he shares quite a lot of interesting things surrounding his music, life and career.

Excerpt:

Could you take us a little bit into your upbringing?

My name is Babatunmida Kuboye. I am one of the three kids of my parents. My parents are Tunde and late Fran Kuboye. My mum was a dentist as well as a jazz singer and my dad doubled as an engineer and jazz singer too. I grew up in a nightclub. My sister and I had always have interest in music from our adolescent age. We developed that interest seeing our parents do music. But while I grew up, I tried to find a balance between education and music.

It seems music has been a passion for you from the onset

Yeah! It has been a passion. Right from the time I saw my parents play music, then my uncle, Fela Anikulapo Kuti and his son, Femi Kuti who is my cousin.

What is the relationship between your mum and Fela Anikulapo Kuti you just mentioned?

My mum is a niece to Fela. He is an uncle, and am a grandnephew to him.

Is it because you have relations already into music that is why you drive into music?

Well, yes. I have been around music seeing my parents play music, so I thought it was something I can start to develop then. But going into music was more of a passion for me.

So, how many album do you have to your credit?

Album! I have…. I will say I have one album I did about 10 years ago. Since then, I take my music career one single at a time. To promote an album you need to have three to four songs put together. But I tell you, I have quite a collection of singles.

Do you do most of your songs in Nigeria?

I have done quite a few songs in Nigeria. My most recent song, "Tonight" that I released about two to four months ago was done in Nigeria. I am currently shooting the video in USA. I specializes in Afro-pop not in Afro-beat. Though, I may not be as popular or have songs as popular as some of Nigerian singers.

Tell us about your fans, you should have fans in Nigeria. What are they saying about you?

People who knows about my music has been very steadfast and encouraging. I have had fans who have been very supportive over the years. They are always talking about my music and reaching out to me about my songs. I am proud of the fans I have in Nigeria.

People say Femi Kuti takes after his dad, same style of music. Is that the way you do yours?

I bet to disagree that Femi does music same like his dad. If you listen quite well to their music sounds, Femi seems to have modernized its music style. I guess what you are asking me, but I have tried to be different in my style of music. By the way, my parents don't do Afro-beat but Jazz. Recall Jazz was an upbeat at a time. I play Jazz very well, but I do Afro-pop music. Afro-pop is popular now! Is the in thing!

At the level you are now in your profession, how would you describe the joy and sorrow that go with that popularity?

The music industry is very tough. But any artist who is passionate about music has to put a lot of effort, energy and passion into it to drive the market which most time is demanding. Popularity wise, the passion is the source if one would be patient to break even. It take a lot of investment, anyway.

It is almost two decades your mum passed on, how have you copped with that?

Yeah! While she was alive, she was such a vessel, such a pillar. Many a times I reflect on it, though painful but we get to move on years down the line.

Are you married with kids?

Yes, I am married. I have two lovely kids.

Cut in: Your wife must have stepped on the shoe your mum left behind

(Laughed)! Wife is wife. Mother is mother. They are not in the same category, Em….

What does the future holds for your profession in the next two-three years, I mean what surprises are you bringing to the music industry globally?

I am proud of what we are doing and showcasing with African music. I am proud of how we are engaging in it. I feel very encouraged with my fans and the successes of the last two years. So, knowing that we have to take it to the world stage as very many of us [Nigerian singers] are doing at present, it is actually something that will be interesting to the world. I just feel that I have a contribution to make. I know I am a part of it. There are things I will not want to let out of the bag. However, one of the few things I will like to do is to work on things I have not been doing before. I look forward to being more professional in my music, being responsive to my fans and do more music for people to patronize.

When next should we be expecting you in Nigeria, maybe to do a single?

I am always in Nigeria. Nigeria is a home. I do back and forth to Nigeria. Of course I always come home to eat “Amala.”