I See Myself As King Sunny Ade’s Grandson – Sunny Oyo
Adetoyese Allen popularly called Sunny Oyo has carves a niche for himself when it comes to Juju music in Nigeria. In this interview with Glitter News Online Reporter, Opeyemi Hammed, the Oyo-based juju artiste shed more lights on how he started his music career, how Alaafin introduced him to his mentor (King Sunny Ade) among other salient issues. Enjoy:
For the benefits of our leader, can you please introduce yourself?
My name is Allen Adetoyese popularly known as sunny oyo.
Tell us your educationalbackground...
I attended Army School, Mokola Ibadan for my primary education and St. Gabriel Secondary Commercial School, Ibadan for my secondary education, I proceeded to Federal College of Education, Oyo where I studied music, I later went to University of Ado Ekiti to study Psychology.
People call you Sunny Oyo, can you tell us where you derive your name from?
The name (Sunny Oyo) came to reality some years ago when I performed for Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, Alaafin of Oyo. During my performance, people were of the opinion that I sings like King Sunny Ade. It was my fans that joined Sunny and Oyo together. That was how the name came to reality.
It was rumoured that you chose the appellation just to get fame, how true is this?
I don’t like the name Sunny Oyo right from the onset because people would think I can only sings only in Oyo. So I never like that name before I could control the situation at hand then the name has started spreading. The day I will never forget was when Oba Lamidi Adeyemi informed King Sunny Ade about my style of music at an event in his palace. When I got to the event, one woman discouraged me but I had to take heart and I told her that it was Alaafin that invited me. So, when I got to Alaafin, he told Sunny Ade that ‘this is our boy Adetoyese’ and King Sunny Ade said he will support me and he even endorsed me. I’m so glad when King Suny Ade told the organizer of his birthday at Ile-Ife that they feature me as one of the performing artistes on that day that’s to tell you my relationship with him. KSA has special interest in me.
You said King Sunny Ade endorsed you, the same King Sunny Ade endorsed Mega 99, Are you competing with Mega 99?
Let’s be realistic, I’m not competing with Mega 99 but let me tell you the reality Mega 99 has his own style, he is not playing King Sunny Ade pattern. Mega 99 is playing Sir Shina Peter’s pattern. As a musicologist, I’m saying the truth, I’m not competing with him, he is rich, popular and a millionaire. I mean he is a bigger man to the core. Mega 99 has his own style of music that is different from that of King Sunny Ade.
You said Mega 99 does not sing KSA style of music, but why do you think he endorsed him?
Maybe he is loyal to him; you know there are some artistes who are trying to move here and there. The truth is that mega 99 cannot compete with me; I will surely defeat him when it comes with KSA style of music but I may not defeat him in Sir Shina peter style. He doesn’t even have KSA Voice, he only likes KSA song but he doesn’t has his style. I do tell journalists that KSA endorsed mega 99 because he loves his music not because he sings like him. If you have a child that looks exactly like you won’t you like the child? KSA likes me because I’m taking after him. The two of us are children of KSA but mega 99 himself know he is not taking after baba.
Do you think you have the charisma to take after KSA?
KSA is unique, nobody can have it all. KSA is a singer, an instrumentalist, promoter, producer and songwriter. I see myself as KSA grandchild and that’s how he sees me too. That’s why anywhere I see him, I postrait, get hold of his legs either and dust his shoes I do this because he’s my father.
What is your advice for upcoming stars?
My advice is that they should not be confused because if you don’t know the pattern of the music you are playing, you are just confusing yourself. If you are singing juju, stick with it, if you singing Fuji, let everybody knows that you are into Fuji music, they should not mixed it up and they should have their own style of music.
Sunny Oyo on stage during King Sunny Ade's birthday at Ooni's palace, Ile Ife...
