Dr Victor Olaiya Speaks On Collab With Tuface ''He Is A Gifted Artiste''

. The ‘Evil Genius’ of highlife music spoke extensively on his music career, the many women in his life and all that it takes to become a successful musician and more.I took out the excerpt of his collab with Tuface titled 'Baby Jowo'....Enjoy


What is the secret of success in music?
Victor Olaiya has been described as the Evil Genius of highlife music (Laughs). And the simple truth is that it is hard work. It's ninety nine percent hard work and one percent accident. I had to work very hard to keep the ball rolling. Playing three engagements at times in a day and for me to be on top there, it needs hard work.

One of your mega hits, Baby Jowo, was remixed with 2Face Idibia. Whose idea was it?
It was not my idea as such. It was the idea of Premier Records, my record label, and that of my spirit as well as Kunle Afolayan's. 2Face Idibia is a Spinlet artiste and he's highly gifted and talented. When the idea of the collaboration came up, I welcomed it. Little did I realize that the artiste I was going to be working with is highly talented and gifted, very respectful and highly musical. So, he was just qualified for the collaboration. It was a God-sent accident. I wouldn't have thought I can come across a young man with all these qualities…I love him, I admire him and I'm proud of him.

If not 2Face, would you have possibly done that remix with any other Nigerian artiste and who would that have been?
I can't imagine any other one at all. Before the idea of the remix came, I had first admired 2Face's African Queen without knowing we'll someday do anything together. I asked somebody to go and get me a copy of the record. I discovered that the composition was fantastic. The vocals were very good, it was also very acoustic and I said to myself, 'this must be a highly gifted artiste'. When I found out it was a Nigerian artiste, that was when I knew he would go places. That was how I got to embrace his talent.

Are you planning to release an album soon?
Of course. As an artiste, you must always plan for it because inspiration comes once in a long while. So, when you have that inspiration that turns out a classic hit, you don't want to lose the chance.

excerpts from YES International mag