Wale Waves Talks Relationship, Lifestyle, Music Career & More

HEP | January 27, 2014

Olakolu Jacob Olawale, popularly known as ‘Wale Waves’ — the first born of his family, hails from Osu in Osun State but moves between Lagos and Ibadan sat with HEP and talked about his career, relationship, lifestyle and more.

The cautious-looking Wale was clearly in his elements as he talked at length, amid occasional bouts of laughter, about his career and other issues that were important to him. One of the subjects was about his relationship status.

Wale Waves was the man behind the Multi-Award Winning Movie Soundtrack ‘Araromire (The Figurine)’, a movie produced by the veteran Nollywood Actor/Director/Producer ‘Kunle Afolayan’. The one-time RnB turn ‘Afrocentric Pop/RnB’ singer, indeed, made tremendous progress in his career since his monster hits; ‘Ajo, Alaafia and Ibadan Lawa (Ibadan Anthem)’ which were released in the year 2007. All the three songs are evergreen songs which will continue to be on the lips of good music lovers.

“I’m not just a musician; I am an entertainer”.

Read full interview below….

What inspired you into doing music?

I can’t really say my going into music is inspirational; it’s just in the blood. Like my paternal aunt too is a popular choir mistress in my hometown. But as for making and composition of music, I give it to God Almighty for the gift. And again, I’m always inspired by so many things like; environments, situations, mood to mention few.

Do you have a mentor or songs you grew up listening to?

I have mentors, old and new, foreign and local acts with the likes of; Joe, R.Kelly, Boys II Men, JB, Michael Jackson, Ebenezer Obey, KSA, Orlando, Kayode Fashola, Segun Adewale to mention just few, were the set of songs I grew up listening to before I coined out my own kinda style and genre

Which is?

Afrocentric RnB/Pop

In music, what have been your challenges?

Well, so far, it’s been insufficient finance on promotions. Because Davido and the likes have made the media’s mouth to be so wide opened that you can only blow with millions nowadays, thousands don’t work again (both smiles…).

Now even if you sing like the Angels and you can’t afford to by the media with millions, then you and your parents gets to be the only ones listening and enjoying your music. It’s no more about “good music again” it’s about “the richest artist”.

What do you think can be done to turn things around?

Only if Nigeria has a ‘Censor Board’ that scrutinize music and emergence of the real Record Labels like Sony BMG, Colombia Records etc and not this individual Nigerian record labels like, every artist in Naija has his or her label. Once you’re an artist Naija, ‘you are automatically a label owner’, which is so bad. Not until we have these big companies to emerge here, where there will be a reasonable control of the music market, the piracy, the sales, the concerts and the endorsements. That’s when everything could just turn to normal.

What was your happiest moment?

When city people called me for an award.

Have your parent been in support of your music career from day one?

Yea, but initially they were against it but due to my stubbornness, my father later forcefully happen to be the 1st person to give me the money for my 1st production in 1996 for Ibadan lawa, Can I hold you tonight and omoge ye!.

Even though most Artiste try as much as possible to skip this question. But, I do make sure I ask about it. Are you married?

Simply NO.

Is there a reason towards that?

Only because God’s time is gonna be my time to do so

Are you in a relationship?

I will like to make that a secret for now weather I have or not

Who is your favourite Nigerian Artiste?

Paul Play

What do you love about his music?

His diversity, versatilty and dynamism in composition. We are just so much alike in music, when he sings RnB, and you hear his local songs too, you go crazy. You won’t just believe.

Who pisses you off amongst Nigerian artiste or which you don’t like his/her style of music?

No one, because everybody has his or her unique style even wack or not wack

When did you start music professionally?

1997

Which of your song do you think brought you to the music limelight?

It was actually the most popular Ibadan Anthem which I composed in 1996 and released officially in 2006, titled ‘Ibadan Lawa’. The video shot on ‘Ibadan City Day’, Featuring Tolu Jeje Maaintain and Oloye and also the King of Ibadan himself.

Which brings us to the question, who and who have you worked with since you started music professionally?

Dagrin, Silver Saddhi, Abass Akande Obesere, Lord Of Ajasa, Klever Jay, Dre Sticks, just to mention few.

Which Artiste(s) are you willing/will likely work with?

2face, M.I, Wizkid, Olamide and Paul Play

I know (just like your other fans) that you and Djinee Nosa finished from same institution, why haven’t we heard any collaboration between you two?

Well, we are already on it.

What should your fans expect from you this year, any coming project?

Yes oo, my madt singles and videos, followed by my album.

Which song do you think is rocking Nigeria’s airwaves at moment?

Waa Paa’Yan by Wale Waves

Tell us about your management?

Now, my management is chilling for jobs, not yet announced, but sooner, everybody will feel it.

What do you do aside music?

I sell automobiles and I’m involved in the oil and gas industry too

In one sentence, describe Wizkid and Don Jazzy in one word?

Wizkid is a blessed boy and Don jazzy has the midas touch.

Who is/are the people who has made positive impact to your music career?

So many but will only mention just a few. Mum and Dad, my siblings, Abinibi, Netto, Silas, Mathias, Akarah Jude, Funke Akinfolarin, Shef, Puffy Tee, etc

What would you like to say to your fans all over the world?

I wanna tell the world that without my music as the no.1 on the world chart, the world is yet to listen and acknowledged whats called the real music.

What would you have been doing if not MUSIC?

If I aint doing music, I would have a footballer because I was a colleague to Olofinjana at Lautech school team back then in school.

Which female artiste do you have a crush on?

Eva ‘D rapper

What do you do at your leisure time?

I sing or I browse the internet.

As a graduate in Electrical Engineering (Btech), have you ever tried to use your certificate even just once?

I have never and will never!.