Why I’ve never starred in my brother, Kunle Afolayan’s movie- Gabriel Afolayan

Gabriel Afolayan is one of the son’s of the late veteran actor; Adeyemi Afolayan, popularly called Ade Love. The actor who recently declared his love for music is at the moment, enjoying the best of both worlds. Gabriel who featured recently in a star-studded musical thriller titled Hoodrush which has the likes of Bimbo Akintola, OC Ukeje, Chelsea Eze among others, is getting ready to drop his follow-up song after his single, Love Bug. In this interview with Mercy Michael, the versatile artiste speaks on his acting career, family, plans and other issues

You recently starred in a new musical thriller, Hoodrush. Would you say it was challenging considering music is your second love?

Well, one thing you must remember is that there is a story which binds the two. So, I think it’s the story we should talk about, not the skills basically. My acting skill as well as my music talent is a comfort zone for me. I think the story is very, very challenging physically, emotionally and mentally. It was something we needed to give our all to, in order to make it believable, because that is what the game is all about. So Hoodrush tells a story of a ghetto struggle of two brothers who happen to have a musical legacy from their father who was prosecuted by the government and got executed, so all the luxuries from their father were to no avail. The only thing that was left available for the boys was just the music. And that was the only tool to forge ahead in life. Not so educated, they put all resources into what they know how to do. From the title itself, its very suggestive; and that is for you to know that there is so much rush in the hood. Everybody wants to be somebody. Everybody wants to take their game to the next level in life. Everybody wants to be reckoned with in life. SoHoodrush is just a typical of such lifestyle of a ghetto rat wanting to become famous. But In the mood of that rush is what I call fate. Fate comes to play.

What role did you play in the movie?

I played the younger brother to the two brothers. The character is called Tevia, younger brother to Shez. He is a very conservative, very cool headed personality; highly intelligence, slow to action, but knowledgeable. He is a character that has depth. He doesn’t just act. He takes time to study things. Because anytime he says anything, he’s always saying something reasonable.

What is the similarity between Tevia and Gabriel Afolayan?

I think Tevia borrowed from Gabriel’s experience, because Gabriel is this very simple, he’s always slow to action too. He takes his time to study his environment before he gets to do anything. So I feel that works for the character.  After studying the character’s bible, it was just a typical side of Gabriel but not all because Gabriel is very inquisitive. Gabriel is a man who believes life offers all, and you just need to tap into the opportunities. So it was just some part of me that the character borrowed.

Your acting skill is not in doubt, but how come you don’t feature much in movies?

In everything you do, no matter how good you think your game or your work may be, I think there is a point where you need to decide how you want to go, because that plays a very important role in anything you do. You need to know what you’re doing in terms of how you want to do it. How to achieve that ends meet. I’m looking forward to a wonderful career; a career that gives me a feeling of freedom -A feeling that every work of mine that you pick up to watch will make sense. Right about now, I’m focusing on my music career as well and I’m taking it serious because music is no joke. I think it’s just the line I’ve chosen to toe.  

Is it right, to say that you are more passionate about music than acting?

If you put it that way you may be wrong, because these are two things that I’m in love with. These are two things that I live for. So it is not a fact that I don’t want my face to be out there, it is the fact that I’ve chosen not to roll like some other people would roll. For some people in this acting game, their desire is for their face to be everywhere and they will go every tooth and nail to make sure that happens. But for some people, they want to have a wonderful career of probably classics. They want to be known for good stuffs and they know that they cannot be everywhere at the same time. Our level of energy is not the same, and I think humans are built with different emotional feeling. So what you want may not be what I want. It is personal decision. So it is not one thing affecting the other.  

What genre of music do you do?

I do Soul, RnB. I’m going to do some other stuff, but what I’m trying to do now is to build a style that will sell my brand. I want to be known for something good. I want if you’re listening to a reggae track from me, you will always hear Gabriel Afolayan doing reggae and not a reggae wanna be. So that tells so much on your vocal delivery and how you go about writing your songs.

Who are your musical influences?

It’s just soul music that appeals to me the most. I listen to the likes of Tony Hamilton, Tyrese Gibson, Lauren Hill, Angie Stone and Sisco of Druhill all kinds of songs. I appreciate music that’s why I’m going into it. It is not because acting is not fulfilling for me, no. It is because I love music that’s why I’m doing it. My ulterior is not cash. It is the fact that I love music. The thought of you trying to conquer the whole world with your music is the beginning of failure. You should know that you will definitely have disciples who would love your own type of music. Take the likes of Beautiful Nubia for example; not everybody listens to him, but he has his own ardent fans and when he’s doing his shows, the venues are always filled up. So I’m coming from that perspective. I’m not here to brag. Gabriel is here to do Gabriel musically and he is doing his type of music, and everybody should just take time to listen rather than criticise. Here him out; If its something you like, go for it.

Talking about Hoodrush, why did you go for the script?

It’s because it’s a round script. It’s a script that offers all the characters with all kinds of emotion, so they don’t have a flat character. They feel bad, they feel good, they feel moody, they feel jumpy. So it’s a total feeling that all the characters get to feel.   

Have you always wanted to be a musician?  

Most people don’t know that I started music professionally as far back as 1997, as a backup singer. You know then, one-man band used to reign in those days. So I did backup singing for those people. So music for me is been way back. Anybody who knows me well enough would tell you that I can lend you anything, but not music CD. If I let me CD out to you, the next minute I’m demanding for it. That’s how inspiring I get when I listen to good sounds, good vocals, and good music arrangement.  

The music industry is filled with charlatan…

You see, I’ve come to a point that all I just want to say is all man by himself. There is really no point pointing out charlatans though it is bad business to have charlatans all around. This is the time to do music if you could, rather than pointing a finger at charlatans. Why not lead by example. It is better to lead by example. Because you are so learned or you are so vast in music does not mean a lay man who is fully inspired by God cannot give you a showdown. We’ve had people who have been to the best music schools in the world, but professionally, they are no where. The likes of 2face are typical example. They did not go to any music school. All they had was music appreciation and that’s all. That’s why they may not know how to play any instrument but when they hear a sound they can tell. That’s the difference. As time passes you really need to be flexible even in your thinking.

At the moment do you play any instrument?

I play guitar a little. I don’t know how to solo yet, but I’m still working on it. It’s so hard to find me sing so flat on keys. At least I have hears for sound. So, even when you are playing, I can follow you, I can jump on you, so I think I’m good enough.

Which are you more comfortable with; live performances or recording?

Definitely live performance kills it all. That’s where the showmanship comes in. it’s always good being on stage doing songs that you are confident of. Do your rehearsals, put your arts together and come on stage to perform.

Wherever one finds Tade Ogidan one is likely to see you there. What is your relationship with Tade Ogidan?

I think the fact that I didn’t disappoint him at my first movie. So I think the relationship actually grew out of trust. I was a nobody, but he gave that kind of role to me, even when he didn’t know that I was the son of Adeyemi Afolayan. He never knew until after production. It was a big risk on his part and I didn’t let him down. I think the relationship grew after then.

So what happened after that movie Madam Dearest?

The energy is there. It’s always there. All I need is that script that will bring it out again and that will cost money now. It will cost money. And sometimes when you get to have some good financial dividend on a project, it inspires. It makes you want to go into the depth of the story and bring it on.

It is because the pay has not been right, that’s why you are not giving acting your hundred percent?

Acting is always been hundred percent. You are as good as your last job. Your last job is your meal ticket but all jobs are never the same. All jobs require their different levels of energy. Have you seen Omo Car Wash? Go and watch the movie you will see a different me.

It is like a matter of principle that you will not appear in your brother, Kunle Afolayan’s movie?

No, the question is how many jobs has he done? Irapada, Figurine and Phone Swap. But do you want to hear a gospel right now, in all of those productions, I’m always behind the set, learning, which for me is even better. Because Kunle is my brother does not mean I have to appear in his movie if need not be. Meanwhile, being behind set with him so that I can learn how to pull an entire production together is better, rather than to think that acting is everything. But not to worry, something is coming up very soon. There is something coming up very soon. I’m not going to tell you anything about it.

So, it’s not that there is any sibling rivalry?

Conflict for where? He is a father figure. What are you talking about? We are working on something. I’m always behind set with him. Right now, don’t be surprised if I have my own production, fully written and directed by me. So don’t let it be a miracle.

Tell us about your production?

I’m not going to talk about it yet. But we are working on stuff where we have me, him, Aremu and my sister on same set. We are working on it.

There was a time it was rumoured that you were meddling in drugs?

 Drugs? This is the first time in my life I’m hearing it. See me o se drugs they sell for this country. Handling it on set is different. We have had sets where we act the drug things, and I had personally asked if the director could excuse me from such characters. However, this is the first time I’m hearing it.

There was a time you were wearing this very busy beard…

If at the end of the day I’m going to have an academy training people there is one thing you don’t do to yourself, you don’t label yourself. You need to get yourself open. You need to come and see when I was so used to stage performance then. Beards are not weird. It’s all part of the game, but most people don’t know. They think about looking very prime and proper all the time. Sometimes you need to just keep a straight look because you never can tell; something good is just around the corner. Some people will just be on dread for nothing and you can call yourself and actor.  You will be definitely tagged for roles that have to do with dreadlock. Nobody will want to use you for a responsible role carrying dreadlocks. These are basic things if you feel acting is your game. I could be on full beard for days. I could go very low. Those are the sacrifices you must understand. As an actor you don’t own your life. The scripts and stories own you. That doesn’t mean you should look haggard, don’t get me wrong.

What are the things you have in the pipeline?

My video is dropping very soon for my single Love Bug (kokoro Ife). And I have like some other movies coming to the cinemas. So I’m hoping for the premieres and I’m jumping on another location anytime soon. And music too, dropping the video and dropping another song as a follow up single. So everything is in motion.

What’s the story behind Love Bug?

It’s a love song that talks about love and it complications. The endless search for love just like everybody always look around for it and at the end of the day, you still don’t get to have it. All you keep having is hope. So the decision for you to now go further to make sure you have it or sit back is what Love Bug is about.

Have you ever experienced that love bug?

Sure. At one time in everybody’s life there are three things you don’t get to miss. First set of people loving you and you don’t have any feeling for them. Second set, you loving somebody and the person not loving you and third set, sighting each other you know something will happen between you both. I’ve felt loved by people and have loved people.

Are you seeing anyone at the moment?

I’m very much myself. It’s all about the job for now. Love life, I’m keeping everybody posted on that. I just want to face work for now. Let’s face what we are doing and let’s see how big we can get. That’s whatsup. 

What is the title of your follow up singer?

I will keep you posted. Actually it’s titled Chapters.