Olorunrokan Adekola, popularly referred to as "Rokan", is one of the Nigerian artistes in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, however, what his voice could not achieve for him, the talking drum has accomplished. In an interview with Rotimi Ige, Rokan bares all about his career and his home coming show at LTV grounds in Lagos. Excerpts:Nigerian artistes in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. The local artiste is very unique. What his voice could not achieve for him, the talking drum achieved for him. In an interview with Rotimi Ige, Rokan bares all about his career and his home coming show at LTV grounds in Lagos which took place yesterday. Excerpts:HE is a prophet that preaches love, peace and forgiveness through his music. When cornered on what inspired his tenacity to his genre of music, he sounded very visionary. His revelation was that of his disappointment about people that go around complaining about his voice."It could have been better for such people to approach me and advise me personally instead of waging war against my music", Rokan stated. He avows that his music is good with his voice. Rokan states comically that his "music is like a mosquito that has great sound that no one is interested in listening to.Still about forgiveness, Rokan said that he discovered that the freedom that most people need was within their reach but they would look for it in the wrong places.'Unfortunately, for many people, forgiveness is one of the hardest steps of their progress toward freedom of spirit. For as long as we are unable to forgive, we keep ourselves chained to the unforgiving. What it entails is that we give them rent-free space in our minds, emotional shackles in our hearts, and the right to torment us in the hours of the night".Rokan advises those that listen to his music to embrace the virtue of forgiveness and move on with their lives. His kind of music comes with a unique style of voice but according to him, he acknowledges the fact that his sultry deep voice makes him outstanding. He says that in the United States, people make the best use of whatever God gives them."For instance if you are pretty, Hollywood would snatch you. If you are ugly, fat, thin, tall, short, you have your market, even if you are 'dumb' or 'stupid', Hollywood would find a role for you". Rokan says "Bintin Laye"; "Life is simple, and I am living it with my voice".With a truck load of criticism, he moved from Rhodes Island to Atlanta in the early 90s when he discovered that there was no local fuji artiste in the State of Georgia. Rokan could be referred to as the pioneer Nigerian Fuji artiste in Atlanta. Since he started Fuji music in Atlanta , other Nigerian artistes have sprung up in various areas, specialising in gospel, juju, and highlife music, ranging from groups to one-man bands. This development gives Nigerians, especially the Yoruba in Atlanta, a choice of their brand of music.'Thank God I stayed through all the pains and criticism because today, Fuji music is measured with my voice texture in the United States .His more to the United States was not easy.Fortuitously, he was able to find his way to the United States of America, where with his destiny in his own hands, he landed in Providence , Rhodes Island. While in Rhodes Island, he joined "Bolu and Roots of African Percussion". It is led by Chief Bolu Fatunmishe, the Gbawoniyi of Ile-Ife.Rokan's focus was to educate the American school children about African music. When he realised that his talent was getting bigger than he expected, he moved to Atlanta in 1994. His destination was Cherubim and Seraphim Church , Norcross, in Metro Atlanta where he was first spotted on the talking drum. It was at that point in Rokan's life, while at C & S Church, Norcross, that he assembled his group to play Fuji music to the Fuji fans in Atlanta.He has toured the United States from coast to coast, across the states and his shows in all these cities have registered more fans to his style of music with tremendous successes, than he envisioned.In the United States, he performed alongside some key Nigerian artistes such as King Sunny Ade in 1997 and 2005; Musiliu Haruna Ishola, and the late Ayinde Barrister. He also performed in White House (1993) for President Clinton.In 1998 he performed at the Nigerian Independence celebration in Atlanta .On how he picked up his style of music, he explained that his interest in music startedat the age of six while living in Nigeria . At that time he started with drumming in the school band, at His Grace School of Music, Ojota, Lagos, Nigeria. He was also the Music Director in his church at Ilasamaja, Mushin , Lagos .He talked about the uniqueness of the talking drum which kick-started his career."The talking drum is a special drum that controls the direction of the music produced in Yoruba land and used by other ethnic groups. You can sing with it, communicate with people by making statements with it. If you listen very well you would understand the statement from the talking drum if you understand the language.That's one of the reasons it's called talking drum. In the native language, it is called 'gangan'. You have to be talented to be able to use the drum. My father was very excellent in playing talking drum. Unfortunately I could not make any progress despite all the time I devoted to it".His first album released in 2001 was sold out. He was the first Nigerian artiste to release an album and video simultaneously. No one took him seriously prior to the launching of his first album."My daughter, who featured in the video, was a big surprise to me especially the way she danced to the tune. My daughter, who hardly understands my native language, danced so well to the tune of Fuji music. It was a testimony that music is a universal language. The album was later released in Nigeria in 2002 by Eru Owa Records, Lagos .His second release was in 2003, while his third album was titled "4 Give Dem".What has helped him to this level in his career' Rokan says it is God that does that for him. "In as much as we know that we have men and women of God around, they always come to my rescue. I am very thankful and grateful to my church, Cherubim and Seraphim Church of Christ,Decatur, under Pastor Femi Abayomi Badru, for the church's sponsorship with full spiritual, financial, and moral support."Rokan's musical style is unique, his voice notwithstanding. While listening to his music at the initial stage, you would be tempted to quit paying attention. As his music progresses, his real uniqueness and style gets into your system, keeps you glued to your musical instruments while appreciating its originality. For Rokan's music style, he is very original. He has received blessings from the stars of Fuji Music as well as Juju king at the same time. KWAM 1 gave him the title, "Oluaye of Georgia". Ayinde Barrister blessed his style of music.These are capped with the blessings from King Sunny Ade, and congratulatory message from Sir Shina Peters.
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