- Safiu Kehinde
Legendary Nigeria music producer, Dayo Adeneye, popularly known as Dee One, has recounted how the late founder of African Independent Television (AIT), Dr. Raymond Dokpesi, motivated him and his partner, Kehinde Ogungbe, to stop playing foreign music and scout for local talents to promote.
Adeneye made his known during his remark after receiving the Lifetime Achievement award alongside Ogungbe at the 9th African Music Awards (AFRIMA) held on Sunday.
Adeneye recounted the conversation with the late Dokpesi and how it inspired him and Ogungbe to divert their attention from foreign artistes to promoting Nigerian artistes.
The duo who both worked as presenters would then establish Kennis Music record label which signed the legendary afrobeat singer, Innocent Idibia (2Baba), and brought him to the limelight, inspiring other music artistes like Davido, and Wizkid.
“It takes more than a tree to make a forest. We have a lot of people behind us, producers, songwriters, and artistes as well as support of platforms like Raypower, AIT, and late Dr. Raymond Dokpesi.
“He encouraged us to stop playing Notorious BIG, TuPac Shakur.
“He called us and he said look, find some local African talents and promote them and they will turn to global star.
“And today we have Davido, Wizkid, and 2Baba representing for Africa. With AFRIMA, we are very happy.” He said before being reminded about the presence of Rema at the event.
…Of course, Rema, Burna Boy. I’m old school, OJ before IG.
“But AFRIMA, we wanna say a big thank you. African Union, thank you for supporting our young artistes. And for our family and firends taht are here on stage, thank you for the journey.
“Thank you for encouraging us. We were away from home for years, but our family and kids understood it. Africa is global now, afrobeats is global and the result is what you see today.” Adeneye added.