Bisola Bello recently spoke with singer and songwriter, Timi Dakolo, at an event in Lagos and the 34-year-old gushed about his family and music.
Many fans are of the impression that Darey’s ‘Pray for Me’ is similar to your ‘Wish me well’
Na you know that one ooo, na you hear am. All I know is I’m a musician and a lot of musicians might sound alike to different people.
If you weren’t a musician what would you be?
I’ll still be a musician. I don’t think I have plenty options or maybe I can be a songwriter.
Would you also be a rapper if it came to it?
Of course I can rap. Is it not to talk? I can rap my song for you now.
Do you think there is substance in the music industry now?
It is different strokes to different folks. I think we are where we ought to be and also not where we are supposed to be. It takes a lot of orientation and re-structuring to get us to where we want to go to and where we ought to be because the talent is there.
According to your Instagram post, you are currently learning at a school of music, what made you decide to do that?
I think I want to do this for a very long time because I don’t want to be a flash in the past. I also want know what I’m doing. Life is a competition; it’s only the man that knows a lot that actually stands the test of time. I want to be here (music industry) for a very long time. When I’m old I want to still be involved in music, even when I’m in the wheel chair. I still want to do something pertaining to music.
Would you say your music is for some particular type of people?
No, my music is for everybody. I can perform at any kind of event.
What’s your most memorable performance?
I have a truckload of them but singing at my wedding, singing for my wife, that’s my most memorable performance
What’s your most prized possession?
My mind, basically. You cannot catch me sad. If I feel down, I just think about my life and where I’m coming from compared to where I am now.
How has family life affected you?
It’s been a tremendous journey. It has added maturity to my life. It has added extra meaning to my life. Every action, I weigh it on how does it affect my family. Would I make my family proud if I get drunk or how will my son see me if I get home by 2am? I have to try and lay example for my children because I discovered that with children, it’s not what you say but what you do.
There are so many artistes now doing the baby mama theme, what’s your view on that?
Like I said different strokes for different folks. My point is I want to watch my children grow; I don’t want to pick bad habits. I want to raise them in a family scenario and let them pick something good from me. I talk to my children a lot, we have conversations like what did you do today, what family movie are watching today, we have time for everything. When I get back they ask me, how was your day, or daddy this thing just happened. I had one philosophy growing up, I want to be the father to my children that I didn’t have. I want to do everything that nobody did for me so they don’t miss the point.
Are any of your children showing talents in music as well?
Yes, my children are showing different kind of talents for music. My second child likes singing, which I know. She might not know the lyrics to my song but when I’m rehearsing she murmurs it. My son is very good with his hands so he has started learning how to play the piano and my last born is always asking questions.
