Kehinde Akinbode (Kenny Kore), former lead singer in the multiple
award winning gospel music group, Infinity aka Olori Oko, has finally
disclosed why he quit the group and went solo.
“I left the group- Infinity because it was what I believed was the
right thing for me to do at the time. We had been together for 11 years
and achieved quite a lot of remarkably things together. We had grown
from boys to men and the priorities of boys are not the same as men. I
was also convinced that divine will pushed me out of what had become my
comfort zone.” He told Glitz.
The happily married singer who has successfully released two albums
further discussed his relationship with the group.
See excerpts from the interview below:
Since you left the group we have not heard much about them, can we say that you were the backbone of the group?
Grace is the backbone of anything legitimate that is succeeding. I am
not even flattered that some people think without one man other men
cannot succeed if they so choose; it’s a malignant and pride full way to
view life.
You probably have not heard much from Infinity because they haven’t been
in Nigeria recently. They just finished a European tour. They’ve got
lots of goodies for us as a result of their relentless effort to bridge
the extremities between art and spirit. I would advise you to watch out
for them.
What kind of relationship do you have with members of Infinity group now?
My relationship with the members of Infinity isn’t as close as it used
to be, I believe that’s because of proximity, priority, and enlargement.
More like how Abraham and Lot, who were buddies couldn’t be so close
because God had enlarged them individually. I look them up every now and
then, and always celebrate their successes as if they were mine.
What kind of music would you describe as good music?
At best my music has been described as eclectic because I am not limited
by genre or message. I write as I am inspired and sing as I am led; one
minute it is Rock, the next it is Rap, Apala, Country, Reggae, e.t.c.
Share with us a memorable experience you once had.
I would never forget the day I finally left infinity. I cried.
What is your take on Nigerian music artists who sing using lewd lyrics?
People who use lewd lyrics are just plain irresponsible and selfish. One day we will all give account of our lives.
Talking of Nigerian music industry, can you say that we have arrived the point of perfection?
Nigerian music has come of age, but there is yet a lot to learn and a
lot more to unlearn. Society and its values keep changing and music
reflects that. I am sure when we have a better society; we would have
better personalities as our musicians and inadvertently we would have
more sane music.
There is always this traditional feel about your songs and sometimes you tell stories and folktales with your songs, why?
Music
is very wide, with varying styles and approaches. My approach to music
is from the point view of ‘the message’. Over the years, I have observed
that music that concentrates on reigning beats and melodies don’t last
as long as music’s that have messages. The more the message resonates
with the people, the longer the music is relevant. I do not see long
lasting relevance just because that’s the goal of every sane person, but
much more because I am a gospel artist and my music is primarily geared
towards Salvation.
Storytelling, poetry, rhythm, rhymes, melody, harmony, beats etc are
tools. Let no body tell you music is just entertainment. While several
people use the tool of music to preach sexual promiscuity, untoward
indulgence in pleasure, materialism and gangsterism, I have made a
deliberate choice to use my music to preach the gospel of love, faith,
hope, patriotism, honour and loyalty.
