MY BELIEVE IN DOING UNUSUAL THINGS TURNED ME TO A TALKING DRUMMER

AYANBIRIN

Oluwatosin Olakanye aka Ayanbinrin is a female instrumentalist who uses the talking drum to pass across a lot of messages to the world. She decided some years back to be a unique female artiste who would promote the Yoruba culture through her use of the talking drum. In this interview with www.nollywoodgists.com Ayanbinrin spoke on her start-up the uniqueness of the talking drum and other sundry issues.

What makes the talking drum unique?
The talking drum as the name implies talks. It is a drum that is used by the Yoruba people of the South West Nigeria. It has life and it is appreciated to the extent that no occasion has a Yoruba touch without the talking drum or Iya Ilu (the bigger talking drum). It absolutely a unique drum.

What message do you intend to pass across with your use of the talking drum?
For my concept I call it African Rhythm. I use the talking drum to express myself to the world. The back-up singer interprets what the drum says. This is because it is not everyone that understands what the drum says. The Yorubas have a saying that “Eegun ti o leti ni won fi ilu pe” which means you the drum to communicate with the masquerade that understands what the drum says. I can pass any message across with the drum.

Why Ayanbinrin?
I named myself Ayanbinrin to suit the kind of music I play. The talking drummer in Yoruba land is called 'Ayan'. It was also necessary for me to have a unique name that would be meaningful to whoever hears it. Hence the name Ayanbinrin which simply means the female drummer. Basically I believe in doing the unusual thing in an original form.

Tell us about your background?
I am from a very humble background and I am the first child from a family of six. I have a younger sister and two brothers. I attended Stat Primary School, Dopemu, Lagos. I proceeded to Egbado College (now called Yewa College), Ilaro for my secondary school education. Later I got admitted into Lagos State University and graduated as a Chemical and Polymer engineer year 2005.

How did you get into the act of drumming?
I started singing at a tender age and by 1999 I had taken up singing as profession. I introduced drumming into my music in year 2003, as an effort to make my music unique.

Do you belong to any musical group?
Yes. While on campus I was a member of the Landmark Folk Voices- a traditional musical group, which helped to improve my ability to sing and use the talking drum. The band was a good foundation for me to achieve my dream of having my own band known as 'Ayanbinrin and the Tiwantiwa Band'- an eleven-man band. This consists of three dancers and eight percussionists.

What is your view on the influence of Western music on Nigerians compared to the kind of music you play?
We really cannot overlook this issue. For instance, I listen to all kinds of music, but I appreciate the music of artistes like king Suntny Ade and Commander Ebenezer Obey. Basically as Nigerians and consequently, Yoruba people we do not appreciate our own music. What myself and some other artistes are trying to do is make the traditional music available to the extent that our cultural values as a people would not be lost completely to Western influence.

What are the challenges you face as a female talking drum artiste?
The talking drum as you know is unique. Basically you cannot carry all the audience along but I believe with time those that don't understand what the drum is
saying would flow along and such people would insist I continue performing. Another major challenge is how to promote my music. My performance has to appeal to the audience. A lot of people look at me disdainfully in my traditional
attire because they expect me to be an artiste who will produce music with an infusion of the Western world.

How do you spend you leisure time?
I stay at home with my parents and my siblings.

Are you married?
No and I am not searching for a husband.

What about men that admire you?
It is a natural thing. I see them as my fans. As a female artiste you must be wise enough to deal with men.

When you were younger did you have a premonition of being a drummer?
I did not know I would end up being a drummer but I knew I would one become a celebrity.

Do you have any regrets?
I thank God I don't have any regret.

W hat is new?
The promo of my single album entitled 'Kere oo' is already enjoying airplay.

Words for your fans?
They should keep being good and believe in me. I will not disappoint them.

BY TAIWO OBATUSIN for www.nollywoodgists.com