POPULAR COMEDIAN,MC MURPHY : “SELLING MY UNCOMPLETED HOTEL CHANGED MY LIFE”

He is a household name in the comedy business in Nigeria. But he is more than just a comedian. Chief Wole Akanbi Sorunke who is better known as MC Murphy is a renowned broadcaster, a musician, an actor and a consummate event compere. Call him an all-round entertainer and you won’t be wrong. The Abeokuta, Ogun State, born, bred and based artiste has arguably paid his dues in the industry where he operates considering the fact that he started making waves, even when many of his colleagues today, were still nowhere close to the entertainment firmament. Recently, stories started flying around that “Omo Jusi Alhaja”, as MC Murphy likes to also refer to himself, has hit it big. And his new social status has been a testimony to that effect considering the wonders-on-wheels he now cruises around town in, which range from Range Rover Sports and some other brand of exotic cars. The Aare Amuludun of Itori land has also invested in businesses like Haulage and Livestock Farming, according to findings. In this exclusive interview with City recently in Abeokuta, MC Murphy opens up, for the first time, how fortune smiled, not to his jokes, but on him. Excerpt:

To start with, there is a new Peace Song by you currently rocking the airwaves, can you tell us about the song?

Well, I’m sure if you have been listening to MC Murphy’s music, you will know that I don’t just play any kind of music. I play only a kind of music that would touch people’s life. That is MC Murphy. Even, when you listen to my programmes on radio, you will find out that I don’t just come on radio to say anything. I always say things that would touch people’s life. And that is how I have been able to carve a niche for myself in the entertainment industry. And for the Peace Song, I share the same philosophy with Mama 1. Do you know who I call Mama 1? Mama 1 is Onyeka Onwenu, Papa 1 is gone. And that is Sunny Okosun. Remember, Onyeka Onwenu sang a song, “One Love” where she said “one love keeps us together”, and the album remains ever green. And Papa 1, Sunny Okosun sang “Which Way Nigeria?” And it is still relevant till date. And that is the kind of philosophy I was expecting from most of Nigerian artistes. Though, they are making money out of the junks that some of them sing, but I still expected something deeper from some of them, which unfortunately, I have not seen. And that is why I went back to the studio to record “I Beg Una”. You know pidgin is a general language in the country and that is why I used it for the song. Though, we have not really started pushing the song, but when we start to do that, it would surely be in every home. Peace is what the government wants and that is what the song preaches taking cognizance of what has been happening in the country of recent. You know, the Chibok girls are there, killing of each other and fighting all over the place. So, the song “I Beg Una” is begging everyone to embrace peace for the sake of a united Nigeria.

You mentioned the name of President Goodluck Jonathan in the song; does the song have any endorsement from him?

No. I must mention the name of the president because in the political system of Nigeria, they don’t allow people to perform. Honestly, I have not met the president personally, but he came from a minority group in the country, he was introduced to us, he met some problems on ground, but he has not been allowed to perform. He is facing a lot of distractions put in his way by his detractors; they don’t allow him sit down and think for ways to take the country to greater heights. Even, if the idea of the “Peace Song” had been taken to him to endorse it, would they allow him have the time to do that when he is hearing that people are shooting and killing themselves here and there. But I’m sure when the video is out; the president himself would love to see it.

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About Unknown

Deji Sadiq, a.k.a DEJI OF LAGOS is a LASU trained Economist turned freelance journalist, a Blogger, an information strategist, a public affairs analyst and a committed activist with a passion for equal opportunities.