Alhaja Misturah Aderounmu Asafa needs no introduction in the Islamic music industry because of her peculiar talent discovered since she was a toddler. The lady with velvet voice is a popular member of the famous Islamic Singers Association of Nigeria (ISMAN). In this interview with The Nigerian Xpress in her Ebute-Meta, Yaba, Lagos, office, the mother of one, who is known by her fans as ‘Temi Ni Success (Success is mine) spoke on how she did not allow becoming famous very early in life to enter her head as to disturb her education. She also talked about the role of music in the society, among other sundry issues.
By Razaq Bamidele
Can you tell us your real name because people refer to you always as Temi Ni Success?
I am Alhaja Misturat Aderounmu Asafa. My fans call me Temi Ni Success. Temi ni success is the tittle of my first album. The album was produced when I was 10 years old, as a primary school pupil. I was born into the family of Sulayman and Kadijat from Ipokia in Egba-Egbado axis of Ogun State in Nigeria.
How did it all start?
I started singing as a primary school pupil at Nawairu Deen Private School at Ayantuga, Mushin, Lagos. At the school, there was an uncle of mine, who was also my teacher, Alhaji Abideen Ganiyu. He is currently the Governor, Lagos State chapter of the Islamic Singers Association of Nigeria (ISMAN). I was always the Lead Singer whenever there were any school social activities like cultural dance and Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN) events, among others. It was my uncle/teacher, who told my parents that their child had singing talent and so advised them to sponsor me to the next level. He even promised assistance should my parents were not ready to allow me become a singer. It was even that uncle that took me personally to the former ISMAN President, Al-Hadji Wasii Kayode Al-Siddiq, who in turn took me to a popular promoter/marketer, known as AFISCO. I started singing as a child.
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Is music hereditary in your family?
Well, although my parents are not into music proper now, history has it that both of them were leading members of the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN), in their primary school days. And during that time, my mother was said to be the leading singer at any MSSN event. Their own genre of music then was Waka, known with Alasalatu group of that period. So, with that explanation, I can say that, partially, I inherited the talent from the family. But it has never been a full time profession in the family before my advent.
What really motivated you to choose Islamic song as a profession?
It is an indisputable fact that some successful individuals in certain professions are natural and automatic motivators to upcoming youth. In our family, our favourite albums were those from a couple, Hadji Wasiu Kayode As-Siddiq and his wife, Hajia Hafsat As-Siddiq. So, from the success of that couple in Islamic music, I picked interest in them and in their profession. I particularly wished to be like Hadjia Hafsat in behaviour, profession, pose and charisma. In a nutshell, they are my role models and mentors. Both of them motivated me greatly and I have picked them as my mentors. Till date, I don’t take any step or decision without the permission of Hadji As-Siddiq. I follow the couple’s footsteps strictly.
How many albums have you produced so far?
My first album was Temi Ni Success (Success is mine), which was an instant hit that still dominates the airwaves till date. It is among the evergreen albums of the Islamic genre. I have produced five others after it which makes the number of my albums to be six. The others are O dun (it is melodious) Ope mi (My Gratitude), Gbigba Adura (Answered Prayers), Iwa Rere (Good Character) and lastly, Ore Igbeyawo (Marrital Bliss).
Any collabo…?
(Cuts in) Waoh! I have lost count because they would be close to 500 or even 1000 (laughter). But there are some of the so-called Collabos that fizzle out from the airwaves after a short while, while some are evergreen like the one entitled ‘Aponle Anabi (Prophet’s Eulogy).’ Any year that the birth of Prophet Muhammed (Peace be upon him) is celebrated, the album would come handy and relevant.
Others like it are, Ewo ni kin se (What should I do)? Ta lo n bayeja (Who bastardises the world)? and Iya Mi (My mother) to mention just a few. Although I love all my albums, there are some that one would naturally have moral attachment to. Collaboration is aimed at assisting the upcoming artistes to the limelight. Some popular artistes attained fame through the assistance of some of us the famous ones. But we have bastardised its usefulness by flooding the market with countless necessary and unnecessary Collabos! When a Board came up to peg Collabo albums down to thrice a year, we kicked because of the money we were making from it. A marketer once accosted me and exclaimed, “Mistura, out of every ten Collabos at Alaba market today, you featured in nine! Do you want to kill yourself singing?!” But it is not my fault. A lot of upcoming artistes want to feature with me. Even some marketers would tell some young artistes to pair with me or else, no show. In the past, before we spoilt it, a marketer can put N2 million on a Collabo, but now, if you make just N200, 000 on it, you have to thank your star.
You attained fame at age 10, how come it did not disturb your education?
Yes, I attained fame at age 10, but I never allowed it to enter my head to the extent of neglecting my education because the importance of education in one’s life cannot be over emphasised. After my primary school in Mushin, I moved to Ogijo Community Secondary School in Ogun State where my parents now have a house. I finished in 2009. Then I proceeded to Kwara State Polytechnic where I studied Public Administration. All along, I was still attending shows, especially at weekends. Right now, I am at the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism, Lagos, studying Cookery and Pastry. Reason, for a family person, we should not limit our sources of income to only one avenue because there are seasons for everything. And according to Yoruba adage, several roads lead to the market. That must have informed some of us singers, after their education to dabble into politics and into other vocations. Ends must meet, of course! Besides, musicians are always looked down upon as backward citizens in the community, who are not educated. I want to make a point that, that is an erroneous impression. My present school is a Federal Government Institution where you study and later go four six months industrial attachment for proficiency. So, I want to be different by acquiring certificates. And I have not stopped because plans are underway between me and my husband to move overseas for more higher education and certificates. Then, I may decide to open an eatery any time from now and I would like it to be unique from the ordinary ones around. With a bit of higher education, one must move the people’s taste to the next level.
What is the importance of music in the society?
It is to correct the ills of the society. It corrects bad habits. It preaches sanity in the society. It serves as a form of entertainment for relaxation to ease tension of stress. Well composed songs can go a long way to minimise tendency to commit suicide. We compose songs to discourage crimes and promote hard work. In fact, importance of good songs in the society can never be over emphasised.
What specifically are the challenges you have been facing as an artiste?
I thank God that what some people refer to as challenges, I always consider them as ingredients of success because they are parts of our life. However, I have a special grace from God, who gave me a mentor like Hadji Kayode As-Siddiq, who is always ready to protect me, as his child. And because of his status in our profession and connections around, he would always proffer succour whenever any challenge creeps up before me. Another challenge we do encounter is from the public and from our fans, who expect us to be as perfect as angels! They hardly believe that we are humans like them, who also visit the loo. Interestingly also, they see us as multi-billionaires whereas some of us are still struggling to be okay financially. So, if you fail to meet their financial demands, they would start calling you unprintable names. Again, some see us as beggars without taking cognisance of education and wealth, which we acquire through our brains, sweats and business acumen in the entertainment industry. Right now, I have about 20 people, male and female, working for me with another six being trainees under me. Without sounding immodest, I have been an employer of labour from age ten. And this career has taken me out of the country. I have been to Saudi Arabia, South Africa and United Arab Emirates (Dubai) and I will still hit the roads to the other parts of the globe like Europe, America, Canada, among others whether for shows or for golden fleece. Some parents are still approaching me to mentor their wards along my chosen career. Gone are the days when musicians were looked down upon, as the dregs of the society. So, I do tell younger and upcoming artistes that, the industry is lucrative for hardworking and focussed practitioners. And besides music, there are lot of other avenues to make money. So, our youth should stop being lazy and idle because tendency to get rich suddenly without sweat can easily lead to calamity. The female among them should not nurse the idea of sleeping around to attain fame. All other things besides hard work to live a decent life would amount to vanity!
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How do you cope with men advances as a spinster and now as married woman?
Waoh! Well, it is very natural for men to toast women, particularly women who are famous. Men like boasting about marrying celebrities or dating them. But thank God I was able to politely scale through their hurdles, as a spinster. And even as a married woman with wedding ring conspicuously displayed on my finger as well as the way I dress up, covering everywhere, some men still make advances to me! But, such should not be seen as a surprise. If some of our professional leaders, who are already grandmothers are still being toasted, why should we younger ones find such a thing funny?! (Giggles). Though as a person with portable stature like me, men tend to think that they can take me for granted, but without sounding immodest again, what I lack in stature, God has made it up for me in brain and smartness. I may look small in stature, I make them realise that I am not a baby. I can stand up to them more so when I am not looking up to them for survival. I always remain focused because I abhor distraction like a plague, which it is.
What is your take on the attitudes of the marketers/promoters?
Well, as we all know that there is no purely perfect system anywhere in the world, this set of people also have their good and bad sides. However, how good an artiste is would decide how marketers and promoters treat him or her. Some popular artistes would just be begged to name their prices.
What about the piracy?
Well, strong policy from the government is required to curb that brain theft. If scapegoats are made out of a few culprits, it would serve as deterrent to others. At least, it will reduce the parasites, who feed fat on other people’s labour.
Were your parents comfortable with your chosen career from the onset?
Initially, my mother kicked against it. She could not imagine her toddler to be exposed to the world through music. But my father even turned himself to my first manager and was taking me around to seek patronage for me.
