Words/Interview by Bimbo Esho

For many people who were not born when Juju Music reached its climax and took a center stage in Nigeria in the 60’s, the name, Apola King, may not really ring a bell. When Idowu Animashaun stormed the Nigerian music scene he automatically became a force to reckon with as his brand of juju music popularly referred to as Apola music took its turn in Lagos social circle in the 60’s. And he had his contemporaries such as Ebenezer Obey Fabiyi, King Sunny Ade, Expensive Olubi, Ahuja Bello, Prince Adekunle and many more.

Idowu Animashaun was one of the earliest juju musicians that left an indelible mark on Nigerian social scenes, especially, with hit songs such as Ijo Apola, Thunder Balogun, Apola Tunde, Odidere Loga Ede, Kini nbe nigbo. These compositions have remained evergreen and continue to be a favourite of many of his contemporaries.

Apolo King is from Ogun State. But, today, he is now an evangelist and missionary with full devotion to ministerial work.

Please find below the excerpt of my interview with him.

Which year were you born sir?

This question has been answered in a book I am presently working on and it will be launched on my birthday February 23rd 2018 when I will be 80 years old. I was born in the year 1938 in a small farm settlement called Igbinrin in Oko Awori in Ota, Abeokuta. My mum delivered me when she was frying garri ( cassava flakes) and this is the reason why I so much love eating eba.

Looking back now how many albums have you released till date and which year did you release your first album?

I have recorded about 30 albums till date. My first song is titled E da Oni si iwa ju and it was recorded in the year 1967 by Niger phone records in Onitsha.

What was Lagos social scene like during your playing days?

It was fun. My band played regularly at Bandary Hotel, Idi Oro Mushin, Lagos. I also played at stadium hotel in the 70s with series of engagements at different elitist clubs in Lagos including Lagos Island Club.

The name Apola King please can you tell us the origin?

(Laughs). Apola is my style of Juju music. The name was coined by one of my friends known as Evangelist Kayode Awe who was a prominent socialite in my playing days. I was playing at a party one day and during my break while taking some bottles of cold beer together with one of our friends Muyiwa Ajisafe Kayode said the sound coming out of my music is heavy and it feels like someone that is being hit harder with a big Apola stick from behind. This was how I coined the sobriquet Apola.

For those who are very familiar with your music and that have been following you for many years observed in most of your album sleeves that you don’t laugh. Does it mean that you take life too seriously?

Let me answer your question with this story. I was in London one day and while discussing with one of my friends, I bust into serious laughter and my son looked at me and said so daddy you can laugh this much.

How did you get your compositions?

For me it is like a gift. I can be anywhere and suddenly get inspired to do a song. One day I was at the petrol station and a song came like “ma je ki aiye mi segbe” May my existence not be in vain. I have also composed few songs for Adeolu Akisanya and one of them was entitled Alalude.

I noticed that you are into full time ministerial work. When did you receive your calling?

I started the ministry work in 1985 and I own a church called World Hope Church and it is located in a remote village at Badeku in Oyo State.

Do you have any plan to go back into music someday?

No, it is not visible. I am into ministerial work now and I am fully devoted to that. I don’t like doing different things at the same time so I don’t get distracted.

Aside from Ministerial work, do you do other things?

Like I said earlier I don’t like getting distracted in other things but I can say I am also involved in community projects like building schools and hospitals for different communities

Words /Bimbo Esho /image /Evergreen Musical Limited Archives

Bimbo Esho is the Managing Director of Evergreen Musical Limited, Lagos

She lives in Lagos