Oluwajuwonlo James Iledara better known as Jaywon is part of the leading entertainers who have transformed the industry via the quality of production, no wonder his song ‘ Odun yi remains evergreen. The Kogi state born superstar has every reason to be happy as he has scaled through past struggle days to a well-bred artiste. In this interview with OMONIYI ALLI, Oba Orin as he is sometimes called spoke about his musical career, and fatherhood amongst other issues.
Trumpet: Your song Odun Yi is arguably one of the biggest songs of all time and evergreen; do you think you can still make a song that will surpass that?
Jaywon: For me, the way music is, I don’t compete in any way, I just go to the studio and make record, is just always good for you to take your time, make a good record push and at the end of the day you will make one of the biggest songs. If I tell you how I recorded this year, I was nonchalant and unserious that day at the studio. For me, God almighty is the only Hitmaker.
Trumpet: As a record CEO and an artiste; what insight did you bring into managing your crew apart from when you are just an artist?
Jaywon: As a record label CEO, I strongly believe in putting up the right structure not just for me as the CEO of the label but for artists that will be coming on board the platform. A lot of effort has been put into making me a better person and as the trend changes, we follow suit. I try as much as possible to learn new things as well as a sink with the current vibe and the management of today. As an artist, I don’t joke with learning new ideas, I don’t care who am learning it from as long as it will increase my knowledge positively; I am fine with it.
Trumpet: Despite your supposed rancour with Kennis Music, do you still have a workable relationship with the label?
Jaywon: Like the popular saying, all things are passed away; I still maintain a workable relationship with my former label and every other artiste. I still had an interview some time ago on their radio show and aside from the fact that Joel is my brother and I can’t say because am no longer a member of the label, I can’t have a workable relationship with him. A lot of people are usually marvelled when they see us together; for me, we are still one big family and we are in the same industry. At the end of the day, we are doing all these things to have a life to take care of a future, it’s not a do or die affair. Life continues.
Trumpet: With all the talks about your former record label ‘Kennis Music’; what are the things you learnt?
Jaywon: For the record, I can authoritatively say that everything I am doing right now, I learnt from Kennis Music; I have never denied the fact that Kennis Music was more of a school for me where I went to gather knowledge and all that have I learnt is what I am using to push forward my record label.
Trumpet: What is your take on the trend of entertainers wanting to take up political positions?
Jaywon: For me, there is no big deal in any entertainer wanting to run for political office; for me as long you have what it takes to run and you show how credible you are, people will definitely vote for you. The fact that the constitution was amended gives a lot of people room to run, so the first set of people to run should be careful because of the future of the young ones coming behind them. As an entertainer, I love my people in Kogi state and I am passionate about the youths there, this is why I have promised myself that I will support all the younger generation of entertainers coming out from Kogi state.
Trumpet: Are you in touch with any of the political heavyweight so to speak in your state?
Jaywon: I am in touch with the present governor, if you know me you will know am a follower of senator Smart Adeyemi, he is like a godfather to me. My governor, Yahya Bello is doing his best to transform the state even though the state is faced with so many challenges and he is a great supporter of talents from the state.
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Trumpet: These days, the industry has witnessed lots of clap-back amongst artists; will you clap back at any of your colleagues who put a shot at your squad?
Jaywon: If the person is right, there are some things people will say about you that you will know it’s true. I feel like you can never ridicule the hand that once fed you in public, is like you discouraging people from investing in your talent, you can’t go out there to go and ridicule the hand that once gave you food. People don’t get it right they get carried away easily, and when you get carried away, you forget that the position you are in today, there are a lot of people out there praying to have what you have. Sometimes you just have to be wise and be very careful. So if you clap back at me and I feel the shot was right; there is no point responding to you unless it is otherwise where I know you are lying to gain cheap popularity; I will surely respond.
Trumpet: You are a proud father; what has been a father taken away from you?
Jaywon: It has not so much from me but one fact is that it has made me more responsible because I don’t want to appear as a bad father to my son. I want to live for him at all times. Being a father has helped me in cutting off so many excesses.
