Sule Alao Malaika is one of the finest fuji stars in Nigeria who has made a good name for himself. He’s well-loved by Nigerians who love good music. He was a guest on City People Instagram Live Chat with the Publisher, SEYE KEHINDE, a few weeks back, where he shared a lot about his life and how he’s been coping during Covid-19 Lockdown. Below are excerpts of the chat.
What have you been up to during the lockdown?
I have been in-doors. There is nothing we can do. It is God that is talking and nobody can question Him.
No music, no show, nothing?
I am telling you. It is really terrible but like I said there is nothing we can do.
Let me start by asking, how has it been keeping up with your career all this while?
It is God. I don’t even understand myself. It is beyond my comprehension, I can’t even explain because it is not by my power, nor by might. I always give thanks to God.
Have you thought of the album you are coming out with after Covid-19 lockdown?
Of course, I am putting my new album together now. We are just arranging the song. All the scripts are ready.
Can you give us an idea of what we should expect?
My people know me, they know the way and manner I go about releasing my album. I just need them to hold on for me. They will definitely hear from me very soon.
Does that mean in the last 3 months, you didn’t sing, not even a shout out for any birthday?
I have been in-doors for over 3 months, I travelled at first, I never knew it was going to be like this. I left the country to see my family in Canada.
It was when they started closing the borders and asking us to stay in-doors that I told my family to let me go back to Nigeria. They were even telling me to wait, that it will just be for a while. I told them to let me go back to Nigeria, no matter what. My initial plan was to spend 1 month with them, then resume back to work in Nigeria. Not knowing that we were just planning but God knows the best (laugh).
When I returned back to Nigeria, I was still thinking probably we can still attend to some of the shows we already have on the ground. In a weekend I always go to 3 to 4 shows. We always start our weekend shows from Wednesday to Sunday.
Especially in December, I play every day, you can now imagine somebody like me staying at home for over 4 months now. But no one is telling us to do this but God. And we have no choice than to obey.
You must have lost lots of money then?
What is money? Money belongs to God. The most important thing is life. When there is life there is hope. They have been making money before we were born and when we leave this world people will still continue to make money.
So what is your plan for all the shows you cancelled?
When we get to the bridge, we would definitely cross it. Let them ease the lockdown first, then we can now think of every other thing. Let them tell us to return back to our normal lifestyle then we would start planning.
What would be your next move, if the lockdown is fully eased?
I am releasing an album to address so many things going on in the society, at least with 3 tracks. I am also addressing the issue of rape too. I so much believe in releasing part of the wisdom God gave me, not until people pay me for it.
Tell us about your band boys too?
Allihamudlilahi, I thank God for the kind of members I have. They understand me to the core. They always appreciate whatever I give them. Some of them this is their only source of income, so I have to take care of them during this period and God has been helping us. This is really tough time, but we have surrendered everything to God. But I believe very soon everything will come back to normal.
Alhaji is known to be a very stylish person, how did you develop that aspect?
It started right from my childhood, I grew up on the Island and everybody knows that the first priority of any Islander is their outfit. We always mind the way we look, I grew up to know how to look good, what you can wear or combine together to make you look good. If they are selling something I am interested in and the price is the last money on me, I will but it. My belief is to make money, take care of my family and myself, and taking care of myself is not about food, how many foods I am I going to eat?
But to always get nice things and wear nice outfits. That is my priority. I want to go to my stage looking clean. So many people know me and love me for that.
I also notice you love sport and you love riding the bike?
I love sports a lot. I have been training as a boxer since 1993. I love boxing, not as a career but I just love to do it. I love riding a bike, I love football and I love boxing. I am an Arsenal fan, not just a fan, I belong to the Emirate Club. That is to tell you how much I love sports.
