Music composer, Tolu Obanro, finest recognized for his soundtracks in hit films Gangs of Lagos and Jagun Jagun, spoke about his love for soccer and the way he began supporting Chelsea, on this interview with ABIODUN ADEWALE
How do you unwind when you’re neither composing nor recording?
My Saturdays are often free and I don’t joke with my Saturday morning soccer. Typically I’m going out of Lagos to even play matches as a result of I play for a soccer group and I prepare commonly. That’s ECWA FC, which was first owned by the church. We do play organised pleasant matches in opposition to groups like First Financial institution and we additionally play another competitions. My membership is aware of the kind of work I do, so that they take me like a partial member and permit me to play. Because of soccer, I’ve been capable of hold my form bodily as nicely.
You continue to mix soccer together with your profession, does that imply you’ve needed to develop into a footballer whereas rising up?
Sure, I needed to develop into a footballer as a result of I performed very well after I was youthful, round 16 and 17. There was a time I nearly joined the U-17 nationwide group as a result of they had been screening near my faculty. The coach took curiosity in me however my faculty was modified after I informed my mother and father I needed to provide it a trial. My household doesn’t imagine in something outdoors training. Till lately, they nonetheless needed to see me as a traditional 9-5 oil firm sort of particular person as a result of I studied Petroleum Engineering. However proper now, they’re aligning with the imaginative and prescient of what I’m doing.
What are the fond recollections you’ve gotten whereas taking part in soccer?
I performed soccer quite a bit whereas rising up. At a really tender age, I already broke my leg whereas operating after a soccer. They informed me the ball acquired into the drainage, I jumped into it as nicely and had an harm. Because of this, I had a surgical procedure, spent months within the hospital, however I began taking part in once more after I acquired higher. I didn’t cease taking part in soccer due to that and I performed for my main faculty; Anthony Nursery and Major Faculty in Lokoja, Kogi State. I additionally performed for my secondary faculty and in addition to my division on the Federal College of Science and Expertise, Minna. Throughout NYSC, I bear in mind taking part in in opposition to Bayelsa United in Yenagoa. The truth is, I used to be truly posted to the capital metropolis due to soccer.
When did you begin supporting Chelsea?
I had quite a lot of golf equipment I admired then, however as a result of Chelsea signed (Didier) Drogba, I began supporting them and there have been quite a lot of black guys within the group. There have been different gamers like Hernan Crespo, Arjen Robben, Joe Cole and lots of others who additionally made me like them. Nowadays, Chelsea is breaking hearts. The final time I might say I’m happy with my membership was throughout the days of Eden Hazard. Proper now, I simply watch soccer as a result of there was a time Chelsea might give me a coronary heart assault. However now, I’ve given up. Something they play, I simply settle for.
Amid all these emotions, what would you take into account an achievement for Chelsea on the finish of this season?
I don’t suppose there can be a significant achievement for Chelsea except there’s consistency they usually ship greater than the mentality they’ve in the mean time. They should win video games back-to-back and overcome the spirit of complacency. It will likely be a miracle if we make Europa League. That is January and we’re tenth within the desk. The probabilities of making Europa are in all probability profitable all our remaining matches through which the thought alone just isn’t even making sense.
The AFCON begins in per week’s time, how do you see the probabilities of the Tremendous Eagles?
I’m very optimistic in regards to the Eagles profitable the AFCON however I’m additionally managing my expectations due to heartbreak. I do know they’ll go far and in the event that they don’t win, they might have executed their finest too. However I can be heartbroken in the event that they don’t win the AFCON. The group has had some latest lows, which gained’t permit for complacency this time round. I nonetheless bear in mind the 2022 World Cup qualifiers in opposition to Ghana in Abuja. They raised my hopes however sadly, they couldn’t qualify. It was actually unhappy.
So, if you’ll make a physique of labor from the Eagles highs and lows over time, what wouldn’t it sound like?
The theme can be a mix of unhappy and pleased orchestration of the 2 stanzas of the nationwide anthem. It will be emotional and provoking.
What about Chelsea?
That’s actually going to be humorous as a result of will probably be like this aiye le oo ibosi ooo (which means the theme can be that of a merciless world).
Nicholas Jackson can be away throughout the AFCON, do you suppose Chelsea will miss him?
In fact, they’ll miss him. I simply hope he’ll be capable of get his jersey when he returns as a result of Christopher Nkunku is likely to be syncing higher with Armando Broja. I hope he’s capable of make the group when he returns.
Speaking about music, are you contemplating the mainstream music trade?
For now, I’m not going again to the mainstream, I’ve been there and executed that. I did that first earlier than I acquired into what I’m doing now so I’m okay
How difficult had been your tasks in 2023 and what extra is within the offing within the New Yr?
After I did Gangs of Lagos in late 2022, essentially the most difficult job for me was Jagun Jagun, not as a result of it was tedious, however it took time. And I’ve others too like Home of Secrets and techniques and Mikolo. This 12 months, I’m trying ahead to doing a higher variety of films than I did final 12 months. I did about 5 – 6 final 12 months and I’m going to strive to slot in extra. I have already got about six or seven this 12 months and I need to develop my group and hopefully work on my second Hollywood characteristic as a composer.