He calls himself King Samuel Oluwafemi aka Opalemo.? A Nigerian gospel artiste from Ilaro, in Ogun State. The artiste who is also into the business of clearing and forwarding spoke to AJIBADE ALABI in Lagos, on his life as gospel artiste.
You introduced yourself as a king, these days we have a lot of kings in Nigerianmusic. So who made you a king?
I know there are lots of kings in music, but I, Oluwafemi Opalemo did not crown myself a king. I was crowned King of Gospel Music in Nigeria during the 2011 Festival of Gospel Artistes of Nigeria, by NAPAM; the records are there to be seen. I was also given the Peace Ambassador of Gospel Music. So it’s not a mater of me crowning myself, I was crowned by people who believed I deserved it.
When did you start singing gospel music?
It is difficult to tell, because I started when I was very small. I can say I was brought up in music family. My father was and still an Apostle in one of the old generation churches, he was also into music. In fact the founder of Celestial Church of Christ, the late Samuel Bilewu Oshofa gave him a title of Amoko of Celestial in 1976.? So since that time, I have been a member of the chorus group of Christ Apostolic Church Ilaro, Ogun State, and as I grew older, I became professional in it, thus ending up as a gospel artiste.
But how far have you used your music to preach the gospel of the world to people who listen to your music?
I can tell you that through my music a lot of people have changed. I don’t need to tell you this, but within me I know I have won a lot of souls for Christ.
But a lot of people are saying, gospel artistes are not preaching the salvation anymore, that they now entertain in social gathering instead?
Well, there is no crime in a gospel musician playing in a social gathering, in as much as he or she can get his or her message to the crowd. Like me for instance, I can play in a hotel and still get my message across to the people at the hotel. So I don’t blame any gospel musician who plays in social circle. Now let’s look at it this way: if we should restrict ourselves to church service alone, how do you expect us to make ends meet? So individually we know how to blend both together.
You were once labeled as a womaniser, how do you react to this?
I am not a womanizer. I don’t know where that story emanated from. I am a responsible married man.
So how do you handle your female admirers?
I handle them as I do handle every of my fans whether a male or female. But one thing is sure, I don’t keep too close with my female fans. But at the same time women are very important in whatever we do so, I know how I balance them together without any conflicts.
But you have not been in the news of late. Why?
That is me for you. I don’t make noise about myself. I let my achievement speak for me
Your studio at Abule-Egba , Lagos got burnt last year so what really happened?
I don’t want to go back to that again, it has come and gone. Though it was a very bitter experience, but to God be the glory, I have bounced back, and doing very well now.
So what is the new thing you are working on now?
I am working on a new album. The title is “New Era”, it is a 6- track album. It will be out very soon,
Will you say that will be your best ever?
I can’t say that will be my best ever. I am improving everyday. When I came out with my hit track “Iri Orun” people said it was my best, but the consequent ones proved them wrong. So I have not really got to my best.
It is rumoured that there is no cordial relationship among gospel musicians in the country. How would you react to this?
I don’t know where they got that story from, there is nothing like that, we are all one family.