88-year-old Apala musician Mojeed Ajani Hassan returns to studio to drop new album

Abdu-Baaqi Adenekan and Sewa Adekunle (Interns)

An 88-year-old Apala musician Mojeed Ajani Hassan is set to return to studio to release a new album after over three decades of his last album, and this is expected to be made available to the market and music industry before the end of the year.

Penpushing reports that the music veteran disclosed this during exclusive interview at the corporate headquarters of Penpushing Media located at Leme axis of Moshood Abiola way, Abeokuta, Ogun State Capital

The octogenarian who still displayed agility and sound health and effectively climbed second floor of the office for the interview unaided disclosed that his coming album is under the label of Alayo Singer Studio with headquarters in Abeokuta, adding that the title of the album is “Atije Ati Mu Wa”

Penpushing further reports that Hassan accompanied by his first son, Nurudeen, who is also a musician and Kolawole Adejojo, a popular radio presenter known as Kasnaty, disclosed that his return to studio to release a new album was initiative of Alayo Singer, his promoter

The musician who is the contemporary of late Ayinla Omowura, the Apala music maestro, however, recalled his turbulence period in the early days, adding that he faced lot of spiritual challenges which he ended up surmounting, hence, his still being alive

Penpushing also reports that he explained that at a point of his music career he left Abeokuta his home base to travelled to Ago-Iwoye to learn the act of Goje(musical instrument) for three years under the supervision of Layi Jagura Apala

The ageless musician explained that he did this to have knowledge on the nitty gritty of Goje, as a way to add value to his musical career, having started his music career under tutelage of Kelani, a music icon, adding that on completion of the training he returned to Abeokuta to set up his own music band

‘I thank God, I don’t think I can live up to this moment. Then I came back to our city here (Abeokuta), after I got here but information, I heard was that they won’t allow me to sing in this land because they were like who is my boss, who taught me music and I told them Kelani is my boss’

Penpushing reports that he revealed that in the course of the music journey he had running battle with Ayinla Omowura, who doesn’t want competition or rivalry, adding that at a point he was advised to do a record to eulogise Omowura.

‘That record I waxed to praise Ayinla Omowura paved way for me, because on listening to the record, he was amazed and look out for me, to appreciate me, and he also prayed for me and even gave me money’, he stated.

Penpushing further reports that he said, thereafter, he did another record which focused on the then Olubadan, Kabiyesi Adetunji who was also impressed and promised him a car gift, if he can repeat similar feat.

The veteran musician recalled that to his shock when he got to the studio for another album, he forgot all his prepared songs, a development he attributed to another round of spiritual attack, and was worrisome

‘The Olubadan told me that if I should do another record that is good, like this he will gift me a car. When I got to the studio to record, I forgot everything I was supposed to sing. The man asked if I was being followed from home. That was the beginning of my challenges’, he recalled

‘A lot of things started happening to me as I was facing different challenges, for instance vomiting blood all of a sudden, my generator getting spoilt while recording a music. I was just praying to God to make things better and make my dream come true’, he added

‘Yes, I have experienced a lot of difficulties which has led me into thinking about giving up on singing. I once experienced this a while I went to Kano to perform. When I got to Jebba, Kano, I was about to sing at the event then, I vomited on stage and my body was hot. I couldn’t even sing on this day and they started to ask what was wrong’, he recalled.

‘It was God who delivered me and saved me from that situation. I am here because of God who led me to where I am today. I was scared when my first son told me he wanted to start singing which I refused because it is a very tough work and it isn’t easy, He said he will give it his best’, he stated

Penpushing also reports that on alcohol and drugs associated with musicians, Hassan said he was not involved in such in his career as a musician, but admitted of admiring women and ended up having four wives

‘I don’t take alcohol, cigarettes and drugs, I do my music as a gentle man that I am, but on women aspect, you know women always swarm on musicians, and I ended up having four wives, who have also been supportive’

Penpushing reports that he disclosed that he is still engage in outing performances, adding that with current advancement in the entertainment industry he has blended with the reality to modernize his music.

The musician profusely appreciated Alayo Singer, his promoter and Kasnaty, the popular radio broadcaster who rediscovered his fading music talent to bring him back to limelight, and boasted that his upcoming tracks will be explosive in the entertainment world

‘I want to thank Alayo and Kasnaty for their support to rediscover me and my talent. As earlier told you I am already in the studio to release a new record with the title “Atije Ati Mu Wa”. I love singing and I decided that I keep doing that’

Penpushing reports that Hassan emphasised that he wine and dine in music, and has no regret in the profession, stressing that if he has opportunity to come back to the world, and if later passed to the great beyond and they sing in heaven he would continue singing

The ageless musician said some of his band members he started music with in the early days have passed, explaining that on few of them still alive, they are still members of the team, alongside with new generation as part of the band

Penpushing further reports that Hazzan who sang during the interview to exhibit his skills said music is a gift for him, adding that he could even established this himself, when he listens to his songs, adding that he equally ready to go into colabo with Alayo musician if he makes such move

The octogenarian who disclosed that his talent in music is an inspiration that comes anytime, and anytime it happens he writes down so as not to forget, pointing out that the inspiration can even come when sleeping, while speaking on musician and fetish said he was at no time engaged in such act, stressing that

‘I don’t go through the fetish or traditional way at all, I call unto Allah and Jehovah for help. As I said earlier it is God’s grace and I really appreciate Him for all the wonders he has done in my life. I have done series of music that has made me so happy and I thank God so much for that even when challenges happen. Also, all my records are 6 and I have a new record that I am about to release’, he stated.

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