EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW - "GT THE GUITARMAN"; The art, the man, the music – COVER STORY

 GT the Guitarman is the artistic nomme de gurre of Olaolu Gbemiro Tokunbo Akigbogun; born in the year 1984 in East Dulwich, South London, England. Two years later his family moved back to Nigeria, bringing Gbemiro back to his motherland, little dreaming that his destiny awaited him. He began his educational journey at Community Primary School, Mile 2, Lagos and went on to Mayflower Secondary School Ikenne, Ogun State. His mother and his older sister, Opeyemi, raised him. At about the age of 11, he discovered the world of music. “GT” are his initials derived from “Gbemiro” and “Tokumbo”; describing himself as reserved, GT is the CEO of Ember records, a label he co-owns with Blogger and songwriter Onyew Bikwe. In describing his journey into music, GT laughs as he tells Leadership Entertainment that he moved from being “a fan to becoming an actor” clinging to the radio as a child, having a father who collected records of all sorts ranging from Nigerian to western music and a sister who was a chorister – his sister would bring home music pieces from church and would rehearse with him, so much they were likened to “Bebe and Cece Winans” – Unfortunately for GT, music wasn’t on the trail of his sister’s journey through life even though he had caught the bug and so he set out alone joining several gospel groups singing in churches, going for competitions and winning a few. GT later joined a group called “The Guitar”; it was on one of their performances they got the attention of comedian Omobaba Number One who got them a performance on the stage for “night of a thousand laughs” and Dare Art Alade, who would introduce him to Obi Asika and grant them a chance from a good impression before the record label Boss signed them on. GT has a lot of good things to say about Storm Records, he emotionally describes his five year stay with Storm 360 as a “turning point and blessing”.

GT’s music is inspired off everyday life, everyday circumstances and life in general “I only write about what I can see, things happening around me inspire me; I can make up a fictional story just by observing my surroundings and putting the situation into words that eventually translate to music. This way for me the music is easy to relate with. I wouldn’t say I am a social crusader but I have a tendency to speak out, the only difference is I sing about it as opposed to talk like a speaker would. My music is Afro Rock Soul, a fusion of my guitar, my style and my lyrics – these three elements combine to make my music what it is”.

In relation to the challenges of entertainment in Nigeria, GT like many an artiste is bothered by the structure which is out of place and doesn’t necessarily cater for every genre; he states that the club goers and party people make up the majority of people who patronize Nigerian music and would rather listen off the stereo than buy a CD even then, purchase it at a ludicrously small fee.  The minority who do appreciate good music hardly ever get to find the product to buy since distribution is a fundamental issue artistes like him face. GT who started playing the guitar in 2003 learnt through self-help from books and music literature a certain John Akambi lent him; with a guitar he borrowed from another friend Samuel Ekpeyong. John helped him because he saw his desperate desire to learn even after a first refusal to tutor him. When asked why he picked the guitar of all the musical instruments, His very interesting reason was that it is an instrument he could play without the help of or dependency on electricity supply.

GT officially released an album in November 2009, and he describes his experience in the music industry so far as “crazy and thrilling”; having worked with a solid team at Storm 360 as well as collaborated with notable names like Naeto C, Sasha, Late rapper Da Grin, General Pype and Dare Art Alade. Early influences from King Sunny Ade and Fela Anikulapo Kuti shaped his love for Nigerian rhythm and Tuface Idibia cuts it for contemporary African music which he has been able to blend into. Currently working on a yet–to-be titled sophomore, GT is exploring new angles to his sound on an EP that would first be promoted on a tour which he would embark on with his seven man band. He has graced the stage at various events and delivered electrifying performances for MNET's Face of Africa; Glo's G-Bam show; Samsung's Valentine's day Concert & AIT Valentine's Day concert; Asa: Live in Lagos; MTN Motivational Seminar with Les Brown; Calabar Festival and Easter Ball; Nokia's First Chance; Rhythm Unplugged; Silverbird: Man of the Year Award and the Big Brother Africa Eviction Party to name a few.

The Hip Hop World Award and Channel O award nominee told Leadership Entertainment that his greatest achievements are the fans, people who appreciate his music – he tells a story of a young lady who came all the way from Ilorin to Lagos just to see a show he was to perform at but missed it because she got into town a little later than he had got off the stage; she got the opportunity for a personal performance. GT whose fetish is his blackberry, is romantically linked to someone at the moment and states that his love life is private to him. He has a lot of respect for new music Industry pioneers Kenny Ogungbe, Obi Asika, and OJB Jezreel; people he describes as having the foresight to set the pace for what has become today’s Nigerian music industry and looks forward to the days when CDs will sell for better rates, artistes will earn off their sweat and Alaba will be history. GT enjoys music from Nigerian female artiste Tiwa Savage and is a big fan of Tuface Idibia, his favorite moments are when he is on stage with his band.

This interview was first published in Leadership Newspaper Entertainment edition of Sunday July 3, 2011