Emerging singer talks about his start in Nigerian music, dreams and more

Kelvin Olatunde Ajenifuja aka Kelvin King, is a multi-talented and versatile artiste/ producer. With origins from Ipetu Ijesha, Osun State, he had his Secondary Education At Agbor, Delta State before proceeding to Lagos to embark on my dream career (Music).

Although, he’s well-rounded in multiple genres, King finds strength In the Contemporary Highlife category which blends Afro Pop with Highlife.

After releasing his collaboration single, ‘Shame on you’ featuring pop music heavyweight MC Galaxy, he talks to Pulse TV.

How did you get sign in SitiTup Ent?

It all happened when I was still in Awoyaya, somewhere in Ibeju Lekki Local Govt. I had a producer and a friend called Chris Strings who is now signed to Rudeboy Records; I used to be in his studio doing freestyles and recording songs. So, one day, a friend of Chris who is the owner of Siti Tup Entertainment, (Oga Siti Tup) came to the studio to visit Chris, he heard my songs and freestyles and started asking Chris about me. Chris then invited me to the studio and I met Oga Siti Tup who asked me if I could do different genres of music and I said yes, So, he asked me to do some freestyles which I did in different genres and he picked interest in me. He asked me so many questions about my background, my experience and so much more, He just got back from the USA then. So he invited me to his house and the rest is history. I give glory to God for the opportunity and all thanks to Chris for this wonderful connection. As a new act in SitiTup Ent do you feel any pressure to hit it big?

Well, to be honest, I feel no pressure at all and I am glad that my Boss and the whole team understand perfectly that time and chance happen to every man and no matter how much you rush, God's time is always the best. My time will come and I will shine as long as I keep working hard and I also keep praying. Music is my life and I thank God for a boss that understands that. We are not in any rush or pressure but we will continue to put in work and also not relent in praying, very soon, my time and our time will come.What genre of music is your strength lie?

Just as you read on my bio, my strength lies on what I describe as the 21st century Highlife, which is a blend of the traditional High-life music and the new Afro pop sound. I try as much as possible to create my own style in an already saturated market just to make that unique name for myself. Though, I can do any genre of music as a versatile artiste but I find my comfort in the New School Highlife category.

I don't think it's an easy task for up and coming ones to be successful but as long as you work hard and pray hard, the top is definitely sure. These days, big artistes and record companies spend so much money to promote their songs and also remain at the top so the competition is very tight but I believe that there's nothing impossible; so, as long as you work hard and pray, yes, you can be successful as an upcoming artiste, especially when you have good materials .

What's the full extent of your relationship with SitiTup?

My relationship with SitiTup is beyond the usual record company and artiste relationship. SitiTup is a family business to me because I and Oga SitiTup are blood brothers now. I am like his younger brother and this is why he even made me a board member of the company. That doesn't mean the business aspect is not in place, we have an equal beneficial mutual understanding and it's not just about profit making, it's about making sure that our dreams come true. I am a SitiTup boy forever.

You just released your debut collaboration with MC Galaxy how does that  feel?

Well, I feel honored to work with an artiste like MC Galaxy because he's a very big entertainer, he knows how to command his crowd and his presence on the song "Shame on you" is still very relevant to the acceptance of the song especially in the South-South part of Nigeria.

Would we be getting more of that?

Definitely. Expect so much more because there are so many materials we have that would drop one at a time. I have done a lot of collaborations with big artistes both locally and internationally around Africa that are still on their way to drop. So expect more.

What's special about your music that will give you the edge?

Music is my spiritual Call! I just try as much as possible to do music my own way which is not easy but one edge and advantage I have is that I can speak different Nigerian languages fluently Which would help me to relate to my audience regardless of their tribe or dialect.

How would you judge your long-term career success?

When I am able to sit back and hear or see how my music is saving people's lives; when my music make people dance away their sorrows and even help people to make the right decisions in their lives, then I can look back and say that I'm grateful to God for my music has touched the lives of people both locally and internationally. This is because the essence of music is to speak to people in different situations or even occasions; not just to make money out of it. God does not bless you with a talent just only for the sake of making money with it but to also touch lives positively.