MY FATHER'S 51 CHILDREN AND SEVERAL WOMEN TAUGHT ME VITAL LESSONS-MAKOLA MAMBO

MAKOLA MAMBO

MAKOLA AND SADE ADU

MY FATHER’S 51 CHILDREN AND SEVERAL WOMEN TAUGHT ME VITAL LESSONS-MAKOLA MAMBO

UK based ace Nigerian Musician Kolawole Gani-Kale ,popularly known as Makola Mambo unknown to many is the son of Late  60’s  Highlife Musician, Ganiyu Kale and his Guinea Mambo Orchestra, whose song, ‘ Aya mi ye’ ,could be found on you tube  presently. An unapologetic Polygamist, Ganiyu Kale had 51 children and several women surviving him when he died on the 2nd of February, 2011 at the age of  81.Makola could be said to be one of the most improved Musicians among Nigerians in the UK as he experiments with tunes from greats like Osita Osadebey, The Oriental Brothers, spiced with the usual Juju flavour. He is also an encyclopaedia of sort of what we now regard as contemporary Juju music,not by choice but by birth and fate.The Music Graduate of the University of Nigeria  ,Nsukka  said he never wanted to do anything from the Cradle but music..'Oke Aminu, Chief Ebenezer Obey and so on had their paths crossed with my late father ‘,he revealed. Chatting with Makola was inspiring and enlightening; his is a story of survival, loyalty to music and keeping faith with fate.Enjoy.

AT THE UNIVERSITY

‘I DIDN’T GO TO SECONDARY SCHOOL’.

The young Kola who attempted GCE and failed woefully, sought help at an Evening Lesson Session. A second attempt saw him passing with flying colours to further his education at The University of Nigeria to study Music. Makola, though the best Pupil in his Primary School due to the domestic strife at home ,no  thanks to polygamy related issues had run away from home before age ten to join a number of music Bands. The youngster whose mum was the first wife witnessed his mum 's separation from her husband who had dumped music for business. He ran property, cargo, transportation and so many other businesses that ensured he enjoyed a wealthy life with all its temptations..The young Makola,with no maternal protection at an early age, getting into secondary school was not easy. Even a self attempt at enrolment proved futile and along the line, the young boy was influenced by a musician tenant of his father, Champion Kunle Okuneye who he accompanied to parties, playing the guitar. At a stage he was deceived that a certain Band owner would send him to school if he plays in the band, with a note under his father’s door, he head out to play for late Queen Decency, whose Band was reorganised by another woman after her death.The woman, Madam Comfort, of Comfort and Prestige Hotel, Lagos;placed him in the Church Choir, fed and housed him. But even when the food was not forthcoming,the youngster persevered,with the hope of getting academic sponsorship. One day, spotting his father’s Mercedes at the Hotel, he ran from his base thinking his father came for him and headed for Ibadan, but it turned out the father came to patronise the Hotel and had no inkling of his son’s new home.

At Ibadan, not knowing anyone but resolute, he flagged down, a few Musical Bands’ Vehicles, hoping to join them. The first was Micho Ade,then that of Awuja Bello, with no luck of stopping, he eventually had that of Olalekan Oloyode stopping to hear him out,after asking to join and was refused, he introduced himself as a Guitarist and that was his ticket. Makola became a member of Olalekan Oloyode's Band and family but when after a few months he tried to leave the Band to join Abiodun Omoleye ,where Wale Thompson (of Lalale Friday fame) was a member, trouble brewed. He left but was forced back by Olalekan Oloyode.

‘THE CHURCH SAVED ME ‘.

The centre could not hold at a stage and a visit to his Mum saw her taking him to her church, after the visit, he joined Professor Alladin Band at Sagamu but eventually Lagos beckoned and after several attempts , with another visit to his mum who had her Prophet convincing him to stay. And with the offer of  50 naira monthly salary,playing in the Church Choir,Makola agreed. Training under the Church Organist who was a student of  the University of Nigeria,Nsukka then greatly influenced Makola’s choice of Tertiary Institution. He became a Born Again Christian in the University and decided to work only in the Church but further exploitation saw him disillusioned and with matrimony and hope to move on, he proceeded to the UK .

'MUSIC IS MY FIRST RELIGION'.

The reason I joined the Church is because of music. I believe in God and humanity but no religion can take me away from music. It is all I ever wanted to do. My Father never wanted us to play music, I am the only one of 51 children playing but later on, he blessed me to succeed in music. I earned money as a  Piano Teacher in the University, music paid for my schooling. I could not afford to fail as my Mum (Janet Omolabake) sold all her gold to send me off to the University. My name Makola Mambo is from Music Ambassador, Kola and Mambo from my dad. People call me Music Ambassador because of my passion for anything Nigerian Music. Mambo because despite everything ,I love my Dad. I look so much like him and the music gene is from him. I acknowledge my roots in my music even the Lagos Island heritage. Our Fathers made many mistakes ,then,it was all about them.This should be a guiding principle for our generation.I learnt vital lessons from my backround,they are my guiding principle in life.

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AT HOME WITH MUM

MUM

MAKOLA AND AYO BALOGUN

LEKE LEVITES INFLUENCED THE KIND OF MUSIC I PLAY NOW

Makola,with his music degree and years on the streets landed in the UK, miming American songs in Pubs and Bars mainly to a White audience but on his first visit to London, at the Train Station ,he saw Leke Levites and a few other artistes carrying musical instruments. He approached them and introduced himself as a musician. The first day he watched Leke performed at Gabby’s Lagos Island  Restaurant turned out to be an eye opener. He was so surprised to see a sizeable number of Patrons spraying money in appreciation of  Leke's music. He went back and fashioned his tunes to what he heard Leke played.

SO FAR, SO GOOD

Makola is enjoying his dedication to music it seems as his weekends especially see him performing at private parties, public spots and various engagements. Known for a compact One-Man Band or with an accompanying Talking Drummer, Makola’s strength lies in his multi-instrumental capabilities and his cool mien which does not hint at a not too easy formative years.You can call him his own Salesman,someone who does not take much for granted especially his Fans. ‘My Fans are the best and when releasing my album, they will all be recognised’, he said.