Ayotunde Balogun has carved a niche for herself as the most prominent female Juju artiste in Nigeria. The 52-year-old woman traced the challenges she faced when she started and how she was able to break the odds of a male-dominated industry in this interview with Tunde Ayanda.

Sixteen years of your career with six albums to show for it, how has the journey been so far?
Music has always been my life and you are right that, as a Juju artiste, I started in 1995.  I cannot say it’s been easy because I had my challenges, there were tough times, but like the saying goes, ‘tough times don’t last, tough people do’. So, I was able to cope with the help of God. When I started, it was strange finding a woman on the stage, singing for hours and this affected the acceptance because when people came and saw me on the stage they asked questions, ‘what is she doing?’, ‘who is this?’ ‘couldn’t she find herself something else to do?’

It was an embarrassing period for me. I could remember a party where a woman saw me and the way she looked at me, I did not need anyone to tell me that it was a look of disapproval. But I didn’t allow this to draw me back, because I knew this was what I was destined to do and I remain focused.

What are the other challenges that you still face?
I can’t say I’m facing much challenge for now, except that people feel it would be difficult for me to manage men (my drummers, backup singers and so on), but I think I am blessed with level-headed men, who do not see me as their boss but their mother or sister.

And they relate with me as such, thereby, making it easier for me. I don’t run after them to attend rehearsals and whenever we have jobs to do, they do it excellently and when we don’t, you will just see them sitting down at the office relating with one another, they are comfortable with me and I am also comfortable with them and this has erased the possibility of any challenge.

What attracted you to music, and why juju music for a woman?
Anytime people ask me ‘why juju music?’ I always reply them with ‘why not?’ There were people before me and I would always want to know how they became successful in what they do.

Juju music is about the hardest of all the genres of music, because singing with a very heavy percussion, playing keyboards and stringing tunes together is not an easy thing.

I knew it was difficult and I think it was this difficulty that attracted me. I believe there is no challenge one can’t conquer, it only takes determination and focus.

What are the pains and gains of singing juju since 1995?
Of course, there are pains and there are gains. Standing for hours singing and dancing is not an easy thing and this is a major pain for me. After shows, I get sleepless nights, sometimes I fall sick and despite this I still have to get up and attend events.

But the gains are much because it’s beautiful when the money starts coming and you realise it is the reward for your hard work.

The industry is dominated by men, you attend parties where you perform overnight and mix with different sorts of men, how do you juggle this with motherhood?
It’s normal with all men to feel insecure or get scared in this kind of situation thinking they might lose their wives.

Especially being a juju musician, who would often be on stage and men will approach you, give you their cards, collect your numbers and try to be funny with you. I must confess that my husband did not like it initially, but later, I had to convince him and make him see that this will not in any way affect our home and I thank God that I am living up to that promise.

To what extent were you able to convince your husband in protecting your home and at the same time safeguarding your job?
I was mature by the time I went into juju music, then I was almost forty and I knew what I wanted in life. I always remember the words of my mother, her admonition, her warnings, though I didn’t really need that to guide me because I knew what I was into and where I was heading.

My husband’s initial response was not encouraging, he didn’t like it at all, but when I sat him down and explained my plans, he understood.

Do you think music has brought you what you deserve?
I will say yes. I thought I would just be a trader when I left the place I was working as a secretary. When I left the job, I went into buying and selling and I was doing very well, but I did not feel fulfilled.

Music is something I enjoy so much and when I hear people’s reaction to my songs, it keeps me going and I realise that everything I could have achieved in other professions has been given to me through  music. Juju music has opened many doors for me and I will always thank my stars that I came into music.

What do you think you have been doing that has sustained you this far?
I think it’s all about being focused. There are so many factors that may want to draw you back, but if you don’t give in,  you’ll  succeed. I also think I was able to come this far because I was already mature when I started, so I didn’t get carried away with those things that normally would have led any young girl astray.

There is also the fact that all my children were grown up before I started singing, so, I really did not have too much to face at home and this made me concentrate on my career squarely.

When you started music, you must have had a plan on what you hope to achieve with music, how far have you gone with this?
Seriously speaking, I will say I have never sat down to do any planning, event determines what I do and shape how I do it, I also allow God to lead me and with this, I’ve been enjoying myself, sometimes I find myself in places I did not expect, like my position as the President of the Juju Musician Association of Nigeria. I did not plan it! My colleagues just sat down and nominated me, I did not contest and there was no election, things just happened.

So, in terms of naira and kobo can you say music has been good?
Yes! This is the first time I will admit that music is sweet (laughs)

On your social background, can you let us in?
Yes, I have always been a socialite, as a young girl, I partied a lot, I went to disco parties and had my own share of fun.

What is your favourite music?
I listen to all sorts of music, hiphop, soul, reggae, fuji, apala, gospel, awurebe... I listen to all brands because in all these music  you will see something you like, you will always learn new things combining all music.

Can you compare the music industry when you started with the present day?
It wasn’t that beautiful when I started. Presently, music has moved to the next level and people are still working hard to move it further. I’m sure that what you are going to see in the nearest future will amaze everybody, I am sure of that and I know it will soon come to pass.

For someone whom music has given a lot, what are you planning to give back to music?
As the President of the Juju Music Association in Nigeria, I think I’ve been giving back to music with that. I’ve been spending my money, time and energy in ensuring the growth of juju music and its musicians.

I’ve also been trying my best to see that juju music does not go into extinction. I got the association registered and things have started happening, many people have joined and we have been helping one another.

There was a time juju music was silent, but now you will agree with me that we are moving on and things have really changed. We are also giving back to the society.

There was a concert we did in collaboration with a club in Ikoyi and everything we realised at the concert was given to orphanages.

Alariwo and some other people are planning something of that nature again, there is another situation where myself, Sunny Nneji, Sir Shina Peters and many others are planning.

How would you feel if any of your children decides to tread the same path you have followed?
I wil be very happy. I have a son who plays keyboard, trumpets and drums.

For you?
No, he doesn’t play for me, he just play it for leisure and now I know he sits down and makes beats for hip hop artistes which he sells. If any of my children shows the interest, I’m going to give that child all the necessary support.

For someone who works so hard, how do you relax?
I listen to music, I watch home videos and once in a year, I go on holidays.

At 52, you still look young and beautiful, you also have a low cut that gives you a unique look, what is the secret?
The low-cut is my logo. I must tell you that looking good is good business, fashion is part of my upbringing, my mother is very fashionable, even in those days when we don’t have ultrasheen and the rest.

My mother will use a comb and make sure our hair is very beautiful, she would dress us neatly whenever we are going to church or parties and this is what has been with me till I grew up and became a mother.

And it is what I’ve also been able to transfer to my children. There is nothing to my good looks, I make sure I eat good food, I don’t allow anything to bother or weigh me down.

There are many young women out there who want to play juju music but they are sceptical because of the misconception that juju music is for the drop-outs. What is your word to them?
Music has changed from the omo-onilu days. We have tried to change the orientation and teach people how to dance to juju music. So, why can’t they also sing juju? Now, we have a lot of educated people doing this and I’m sure they can use me as an example.

Many women are now in the juju industry and they are doing fine. We have Seun Aransiola, Tope, Titi, there are so many of them now. So, they should discard their fears and make good their dreams.