AGBALETU

Churning Out Value on YouTube

Have you heard of Dele Adeyanju? He’s a journalist, and a brilliant one at that. Every night, before I go to bed, I make it a point to watch one of his insightful interviews on his YouTube show, Agbaletu. Dele has carved out a niche, focusing primarily on Juju music, and his guests range from band leaders and lead vocalists to instrumentalists drummers, guitarists, and more. Notably, he recently interviewed Kunle Ayanlowo, a talking drummer whose revelations brought KWAM 1 into the spotlight a few months ago. But the interview that thrilled me the most was his conversation with Bob Aladeniyi, King Sunny Ade’s former guitarist a master of the strings. If you’ve ever heard or danced to Synchro System, the evergreen classic KSA recorded in 1978, you’ve experienced Bob’s extraordinary guitar work.

What sets Dele Adeyanju apart is not just his ability to secure these high-profile interviews, but the effortless way he draws out both the best and the most complex aspects of his subjects. His interviewing style is exemplary a breath of fresh air in an era where many journalists have lost the art of the great interview. His YouTube show Agbaletu is a must-watch for anyone wanting to understand the people behind Juju music, and the passion, talent, and intricacies that have driven this genre since the 1940s.

Dele’s storytelling isn’t just about music; it’s about life. His interviews delve into the personal lives of once-celebrated stars, revealing not only their successes but also the challenges they faced betrayals, drug abuse, and the cutthroat nature of the entertainment industry. Through these candid conversations, Dele shines a light on the struggles and triumphs of musicians who, despite little formal education, mastered the guitar, drums, and other instruments, shaping the sound of Juju music.

Just a few days ago, I was enthralled by his interview with 85-year-old Juju musician and Bolojo music exponent King Jossy Friday, whose music I grew up hearing on my father’s record player. More importantly, I learned through that interview that King Jossy was the original composer and performer of Gbajare, a beautiful piece of music that has often been credited to Zainab, the young gifted Yoruba musician from Benin Republic. As at the last show he has done 300 interviews that could not be ignored.? Such is the invaluable service Dele is rendering to both musicians and history.

Another interview that left a lasting impression on me was his conversation with multi-instrumentalist and bandleader Kofo Winder, who once played the talking drum for Majek Fashek. The session was so detailed in its exploration of talent management and the pitfalls of mismanagement that I thought it could easily serve as a case study at Harvard Business School. From that piece one was able to glean where the rain began to beat the hugely talented Majek Fashek who in a tragic twist of fate is now late.

Dele’s preparation is meticulous. His ability to code-switch between languages and seamlessly navigate the personalities and backgrounds of his subjects shows a mastery that can only come from genuine passion and rigorous research. At times, it feels as though he has written a PhD thesis on his interviewees. His understanding of their work, their journeys, and the broader context of their careers is nothing short of impressive. I believe journalism training institutes and departments in Nigeria should invite him to teach students the art of interviewing.

I’ve often encouraged him to transcribe these interviews and publish them in a series of books, preserving them for posterity and offering a rich resource for future researchers and lovers of African music.

Recently, I had the pleasure of hosting Dele at The Farm in Ado Ekiti, an experience I won’t soon forget. His intellect, charm, and the depth of his knowledge reminded me why I am such an avid follower of his resourceful show, Agbaletu. If you haven’t yet encountered his work, I urge you to search Agbaletu on YouTube . You won’t regret it. By: Babafemi Ojudu