tansali paparazzi

 – Dayo (D1) Adeneye
By Taiwo Oluwadare
Saturday, May 30, 2009

Dayo Adeneye, a radio/T.V presenter, has carved a niche for himself in broadcasting as well as entertainment. Prime Time Africa, a programme that he anchors with his bosom friend and colleague, Kenny Ogungbe, is a rave both on radio and television.

But Adeneye aka D1 and Kenny are more visible in the entertainment sector with their record label, Kennis Music, which they floated during their days in Ray Power FM.
When the recording industry seemed dead with the collapse of major labels, the duo of D1 and Kenny went into the business headlong.

They discovered artistes like The Remedy, Paul Play, Tony Tetuila and invested huge amount of money on them. Indeed, their efforts have helped propel the growth of the music industry. In this encounter with Blockbuster, Adeneye recalls how it all started and talks on other issues like piracy, family life, his friend, Kenny Ogungbe and challenges facing the industry.

Beginning
We went into the music business when nobody was there. We invested our money, blood and sweat when everybody said music business was dead. Who discovered artistes like the Remedy, Tony Tetula and Paul Play Dairo? Who invested in them? We invested our money and sweat on them. So, why wouldn’t we always be visible? We can’t take the credit; it is God. But we are glad to be part of the process and for being the instruments to fortify the Nigerian music industry. So, why should we take a back seat having propelled this growth of the industry? We should be at the forefront.

What motivated me into entertainment
I like imparting knowledge in people. I like putting smiles on people’s faces, to make them relax either through music or entertainment programmes. It gives me joy and a sense of fulfillment. Whenever people stop me on the street, saying “we like what you do”, it makes me feel I’m doing what people appreciate and this makes me want to do more.

Economic meltdown and entertainment
Yes, it is a worldwide phenomenon. So, Nigeria cannot be isolated. The financial crunch is affecting everybody especially the multi-nationals. Of course, it is affecting the entertainment industry as people who would normally book like 20 to 30 artistes for shows are now reducing it to 5 or 10. And those who used to pay three or four million naira for artistes are now paying like N5,000. In the area of sponsorship of events, most organizations are pruning down because of financial constraints. Let’s pray and hope that things would pick up soon.

However, our movies and music are beginning to take a centre stage not just in Africa but across the world. The likes of Tuface, 9ice, Ruggedman and D’banj continue to represent Nigeria internationally. They consistently have won international awards. Our Nollywood movies have been quite well. I hope we can capitalize on that and turn it into a vibrant moneymaking machine that government and people of Nigeria can also benefit from.

Challenges facing the industry
There are a lot of things that need to be done. You can have the best idea in the world but if you don’t have a way to execute it, it would remain just an idea. We need to have bigger and better awards. We need to have better technology, music production, video productions, and better film making equipment. All these things cost money. That is why we keep asking government to invest in entertainment. If government invests in the entertainment industry and eradicate piracy, artistes will be able to earn their proper incomes and pay their taxes.

My friend, Kenny Ogungbe
Both of us met in school. We were basically in the same class for almost five years, studying accounting. We became very good friends. We left Ray Power because we just decided to move on. It was just another pace of life. We just felt we’ve done most we could do in that environment. It’s just like a bird, if it’s time for it to leave its nest it flaps its wing and takes off. It was just time to move on and thank God we don’t have any regret.

On Kennis Music and Prime Time Africa
We just get the job done. Here we have a Managing Director; we call ourselves partners and get the jobs done. And that is the secret of our success. The brand, Primetime Africa is what we sell here. We believe if we are successful, everybody gets to share the glory.

Why artistes are leaving Kennis Music
You need to ask them why they left. I’m the wrong person to ask. But I’ll tell you the only thing constant in life is change. Some of them, their contracts expired and both parties agree not to renew. It is not peculiar to Kennis Music alone. Go to Westside Music or Little Fish Record some of them don’t even exist anymore. So, that is the trend in the business. I don’t want to respond to the allegation that we don’t pay royalty to our artistes. You need to bring me those people instigating the allegation. You are a journalist; you should bring me the person that said this artiste is not paid. What you are telling me is a rumour and I don’t respond to rumours.

What fame has done for me
I don’t want to say that fame is a double-edged sword. It opens door for you but at the same time, you lose your privacy. You don’t have time for yourself anymore. But the advantages have outweighed its disadvantages. I love what I do.

Most embarrassing moment
It was some years back in AIT when a female presenter and I were presenting the morning show. She dropped a pen during a commercial break. I tried to pick up the pen and she also tried to pick up the pen not knowing we were live on TV. The situation was really awkward. It was like we were doing something we were not supposed to be doing. That was quite embarrassing but we laughed over it.

How I met my wife
I met my wife through my father. He introduced her to me. That’s all. Today, I’m happily married with children. My wife supports me; she and the children enjoy what I do. I love my family life.