He’s synonymous with 9ice’s Gongo Aso, having produced all the tracks on that award winning album. That’s just one of his numerous hits. Olumide Idowu Ogunade aka ID Cabassa is a confirmed hit-maker as his bouquet of awards, received directly and indirectly testify. His hits range from Ajasa’s ‘O ti Ya’ and ‘Le Fenu so’ to Banky’s ‘Capable (Remix)’, ‘Shayo’ by Durella, ‘RuggedyBaba’ by Ruggedman and ‘Kpo Kpo di Kpo’ by Faze, just to mention a few.
Among his latest awards are ‘Best Music Producer’ Hip Hop World Awards ‘09 and at the Nigerian Entertainment Awards held in Washington this month. Before all this, Cabassa was on his way to Dublin due to frustration in the country when his pastor’s advice gave him a rethink; and the consequence of listening has been fame and fulfilment. That was over a decade ago. Born and bred in Akoka, Lagos, Cabassa holds a Masters degree in Management Science from the University of Lagos (Unilag). It is the degree with which he today runs Coded Tunes, his music company. This top rated music producer tells us how good music is done in Nigeria. EXCERPTS:
I used to work as a banker. I worked with both Savannah and Oceanic Banks. I was with Oceanic Bank for less than three months. I had to stop because I was a full time Masters student and there were no chances of combining school and work. Now I’m a music producer.
Any link between your education and music?
There’s a bridge between both and it has to do with wisdom. Though, I won’t tell you that I consciously chose to be a music producer from start….. It was with the help of my pastor, Yemi Ojelade of Global Impact, that I made up my mind to focus on music. There was a point in my life that I got pissed off with the whole Nigerian system and was on the verge of leaving the country for Dublin. He (my pastor) advised me to look inward for what I have passion for. I sat down and checked my strength: I’m a multi-instrumentalist. I play every music instrument you can think of. I’d been doing production while at the university. At this point, I had to take a conscious step towards doing music.
My academic background has helped to create a good package for Coded Tunes, of which I am the CEO. If not for school, I wouldn’t know the worth of every personnel. Now, I can discern between when I’m doing business and when I’m doing the art itself.
Why were you frustrated?
I had tasted banking and it wasn’t fulfilling for me. It was taking too much of my time. I wanted a job that I would get out of quickly and get home to my music. So, I thought if I could leave the country, I could make some money and then come back ready for music.
How did you discover music?
I don’t remember when precisely. It must have been in the church when I was quite young. But consciously, it was in the early 90s. Then I was coordinating a band. It was a church choir and I was handling productions then, though not as a professional. The GM of Inspiration FM, Wale Ewedemi, used to be the band leader. I also sang in the band. Digital music was just getting into Nigeria then. I later hooked up with 2Phat who taught me how to use the computer, although we were using a completely different package which has now gone obsolete. I’d say I started then in 1995 when I was working in a studio, more as a Keyboardist, just doing production without making money.
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