As a female talking drummer, I’m appreciated more in Europe –Tosin Olakanye-Olayemi

Oluwatosin Olakanye-Olayemi is the Project Director Mother-Drum Arts. She studied Chemical and Polymer Engineering at the Lagos State University. Some call this music icon, Ayanbinrin, others refer to her as Mother-Drum of Africa (‘Iya- Ilu’). She tells Adaeze Amos  what makes her tick in an art that is male-dominated, among others.

You are called many beautiful names based on what you do. Which of the names do you prefer?

I’m a female talking drummer. That is the way I see myself.

What was your field of study in the university?

I studied Chemical and Polymer Engineering at the Lagos State University. In my third year in the university, I decided to pick up drumming because I had always wanted to be a Theatre Arts person though my parents never wanted it. They asked me to study Engineering because I was good in Mathematics. Thank God I ended up discovering myself and now I’m doing what I would have loved to do at the initial stage.

How was growing up?

I grew up in a family that really loved indigenous music. My dad loved King Sunny Ade, Pa Orlando Owoh and Haruna Ishola music. The love for such music actually led to the kind of music I’m doing now. I grew up listening to the indigenous music. I hail from Ondo State.

Was your grandmother a talking drummer?

No, but my great-grand-paternal uncle used to be a drummer. It runs in the blood. My parents are glad I’m doing this now and sometimes I tell them they wasted my time. But I no longer see it as a waste of time because I still see myself doing what I would have loved to do. I thank God I didn’t end up an engineer, though that is what I am professionally

Where has your drum taken you to?

It has taken me far and wide…outside Nigeria, Africa, London, America, South Africa and Ghana. It has taken me wide. When I performed in Europe, they were so amazed. They rushed, wanting to touch my drum and after my performance, a white woman told me to sell my drum to her. She was ready to buy it at any price. I said no, that was my identity, my culture and my art. In fact, I’m appreciated more in Europe.

You teach female university undergraduates how to beat the talking drum; what informed this?

I’m just trying to empower women. I’m a pace setter, a leader and an ambassador of culture. The little way I can contribute in the society is to empower women. I see that some women want to learn but they don’t want a male tutor. I decided to come in and fill up the gap and give them the opportunity to be what they want to be in future. I teach students from different universities.

I actually wanted more female students to come and let’s do this together. We should encourage women. If the people up there can help one or two women, we would be empowered and not be slaves anymore. We would have a voice. Women should not just be baby-making factories and bed-warming machines. We have talents and things inside us that we can use to contribute to the development of our country and even to the whole world. I’m just giving a helping hand to girls, and women. I have a woman in my class who is 70 years old. She wants to learn how to drum because she wants to be playing it in her church.

When you say women should be empowered so that we wouldn’t be enslaved; are women actually enslaved?

Women are built in so many ways. People believe that women are weaker vessels. As much as that could be right, we are intellectuals, precious and have something inside us. We should not be neglected; we should have a voice, a contribution and be carried along in societal issues. As much as we respect the men as our heads, we should not be neglected as people that should be there to make babies. We should be given the opportunity to express ourselves.

Are you happy being a woman?

Yes, I am. I’m proud to be a woman and if I would have to come back, I would like to be a woman. I’m proud to be African, a black and a Nigerian. Even though people imbibe other cultures, we should never neglect what is ours. If we don’t propagate what we have, nobody is going to do that for us.

What’s your dress sense?

I try to blend African attire with the western one. The trend is moving, even culture is dynamic, so you must move with the trend. As much as I want to put on my jeans, I still want to have something African on me.

What is your style signature?

I’m always having my ‘Suku’ hairdo. It’s my identity. You must see something African you would appreciate in me.

Are you married?

Yes, I am. I give God the glory, I have an understanding husband who is 100 per cent supportive of what I’m doing.

When you tour the world to perform, does he go with you?

Sometimes he does. Not all the time…

What attracted you to your husband when you met him?

I met him when he was graduating and I was getting into Lagos State University. He had finished his five years course. He studied Mechanical Engineering. I went in for Chemical and Polymer Engineering. When I was in 100-level, he was graduating. I would say that he is somebody that knows what he wants. That is the first criterion that actually made me choose him. He was ready to give me all the support I needed. I believe in giving a chance to a man who supports your dream, and he is not unnecessarily jealous.

How do you cope with fans that want to get intimate with you?

I don’t go beyond my boundary. I draw a line between my family and the work. When I’m working, I’m Ayanbinrin (female drummer) and once I’m off the stage, you don’t just come to me anyhow. I will tell you that Ayanbinrin ends on the stage. Once I step out of stage and my costumes are off, I become Tosin, the lady my husband married. I don’t mix my personalities. I also tell my hubby that he is married to Tosin not ‘Ayanbinri’ and when I’m doing my ‘Ayanbinri’ thing, he doesn’t interfere. When I’m off stage, I try to take care of the kids. It’s normal for my fans to want something intimate from me because most of my fans are males and they want to be really close. It is I that would determine the rule of the game.

Would you want your kids to take up what you are doing?

I would actually want my daughter to take up what I’m doing because it’s been fun, but she is not showing interest. It is my son that is interested.

What thrills you?

My drum; that is also what drives me. When I make people happy, I’m also happy.

Does what you do fetch you enough money?

Of course yes. I travel out of the country a lot to perform. I go for festivals. I do a lot of stage performances and that brings money. It’s fun, I’m enjoying it and it is paying too.