Late millionaire owner of defunct and celebrated Take Your Choice (TYC) Records, Alhaji Bolarinwa Yakubu Abioro, is no doubt a visionary and pragmatic businessman. Hence he introduced his young son then, Abubakar Abioro, much earlier to music and the business of music. Like a duck to water, the young Abioro mixed up quickly with stars on their label, learning fast about the goings-on in the company and its music administration. Within a short time, he was able to learn all the necessary details important to become an authority in music administration. That was why for years, he played, impressively, the expected sensitive and technical roles of supervising the happenings there till King Sunny Ade (KSA) and the company fell apart in 1974.

When our Contributing Editor, IFECHI OKOH, met Abioro recently, he went down memory lane, revealing so many things which time may have swept under the carpet and why it is over between him and KSA. Savour it! .

May we meet you?

My name is Abubakar Abioro, son of late initiator and owner of the defunct Take Your Choice (TYC) Records, Ikeja, Lagos. My late father, Alhaji Bolarinwa Yakubu Abioro, died in 1996. Since then, I have been in charge. It has not really been easy, but I thank God for his mercies for helping me to stay afloat despite the visible challenges. I was born in the early 60s and initially raised somewhere around Idi-araba area of Surulere, Lagos. I went to the legendary Corona school, Yaba, Lagos. I proceeded further to the CMS Grammar School, Bariga, where I had a stint with the Yaba College of Technology, but dropped off as a result of my asthma challenges. Thereafter, I delved seriously into showbiz. I must confess, as someone who evolved from such backdrop, which has helped me in no small measure. Honestly!

Why did you formally take over your late father’s business?

I did when he was convinced that I was of age. That time, I was so involved and dedicated to helping him run the business as expected. I can't remember missing any KSA, late Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, Dele Abiodun, Emperor, Pick Peters and late Tunde Nightingales rehearsals. This platform really provided me the golden chance to meet these stars regularly at close range and became so close to them as a result. We really met so often and did business too, as expected. It was also at that period, I met late Fela Anikulapo through his regular Sunday Jump at the Shrine, Ikeja. In my characteristic manner, we became friends sooner than expected. We were really so close, before Buhari/Idiagbon regime jailed him. When Fela was in jail, I gathered friends and fans who believed in him and we gave Femi the moral backing expected of us. Femi carried on, forming his Second Slavery movement which we also supported en masse. Femi really kept our faith alive until Fela was released. Till date, I can’t forget Fela for teaching me how to think and act with boldness, independently.

Can we have a peep into your late father's influence on you?

My father’s influence started with his solid moral and ethical backing. This, he actually did, through my mother. On his own, he used to give me the master tapes of stars like KSA, Barrister and others, despite my Young age as at that time. It was incredible, but true. His support for me then was simply total.

Can we have a serious peep into the relationship between you and the stars on the TYC label then?

I don’t have any issue or axe to grind with any, except KSA who went to obtain another unfair judgement against my late father after his death. I am still in great shock over that till now as we speak. Honestly! When I heard of the judgement, I screamed and immediately lost my respect for him till date. It’s over for KSA and I, for good.

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