King Sunny Ade Exclusive: 'I will keep making music forever'

By Osagie Alonge

One word that can best describe Juju music great Sunday Adeniyi better known around the world as King Sunny Ade or KSA is relevance. At 65 years, the respected musician still looks as fit as a fiddle ready to grab the guitar and mic to set the stage ablaze.
In this short interview, KSA sheds a little light on he manages to stay in the mix, his rivalry with Ebenezer Obey and his relationship with the Elegant Stallion Onyeka Onwenu in the past.
How does it feel performing with Ebenezer Obey after over 30 years?
It’s great to perform alongside a great man like Obey. I feel honoured, I don’t know why it has taken this long, but I’m happy we are doing something great together.
What do you think has made you stay relevant in Nigerian music over the years?
I’d say it’s God’s doing. I just make the music, his blessings do the rest. I’m also happy that the people from the press have always written about my shows and my music. My die-hard fans who have stayed with me all these years. It’s been a collective effort. And for that reason I will keep making music forever.
A little bird tells us that on the concert day, you and Ebenezer Obey might perform each other’s songs. Any inside info for us?
(Laughs) Anything is possible, I can assure you it’s going to be fun or like you young people say, it’s going to rock!
How would you rate yourself as an international act?
High enough for me to be recognized, I’m satisfied with where I am. I still get calls for shows overseas. But I want more of the younger generation to attend these events and explore more than what is in Nigeria.
Speaking of the new school, what do you think about the music being made today?
It’s not that different from the music back then, but remember, things change over and over again, so don’t expect what you are hearing now to be played in the future.
Your music is constantly sampled and remixed; do these artistes contact you before doing so?
Most of them do and I’m happy to let them use it. It’s a thing of joy for me to watch my music transformed (laughs). And for those that don’t, my management gets in contact with them and they apologize.
Who are your favourite ‘new school’ acts?
I like all of them (Laughs)
Many people fondly remember your song ‘Wait for me’ with Onyeka Onwenu. How did that collabo come about?
Well, many don’t know that it was a foreign NGO that contracted us to make and perform the song. We travelled to the US and recorded it there, came back to Nigeria and [at the time,] everybody thought we were dating, so we used the ‘drama’ to hype the song, and there you have it.