Why Nigeria Remains The Best Place To Do Our Trade As A Musician- Akile of New York

King Dairo Oluwasanmi Adeniyi, famously known as Sanmi Michael Akile Tungba of New York, is one of the Nigerian born singers making great waves in the Diaspora.

Is currently based in US where he does his trade. The very creative and multiple talents singer was born into the family of musicians and he started playing music at a very tender age. However, the amiable singer could also play many musical instruments, this made him stand out amongst his peers.
In this interview, he took us into his background, his music, his sojourn to US and many other things about him.

Tell us about your journey into music

My Name is Dairo Oluwasanmi Adeniyi. Born to the family of Rev & lady Evangelist Olatunde Dairo

I attended Sacred Heart Private School Onireke ibadan, and
Molusi College, Ijebu igbo ìn Ogun State.

I had my tertiary institution education at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho in Oyo State where I studied Agricultural Economics and Extension.

I'm currently Based in New York. United States of America and
Blessed with three wonderful kids.

I was born into music because my dad was a musician in the olden days with Victor Olaiya, Adeolu Akinsanya and others.
I started from playing from church, before I later joined Yinka Ayefele's Band and I later established my band.

I have played with numerous artists in Nigeria before I traveled abroad.
Playing keyboard was my major talent before taking up lead vocalist.

Could we say that your dad influenced your choice of playing music?

Yes, because music runs in the blood and my mum was a choir director too and I started playing piano at the age of 10.

Did you face any objection from your parents when you started music at that very tender age?

Yes, because, my dad knew the problem in Music but I later had my way and face music fully, thank God, I'm not regretting my decision today.

What were the steps taken when you started music properly, how did you manage to stamp your name among various musicians you met on the scene

I have God first and it was God that helped me to achieve all my goals in the entertainment industry.
There are different kinds of problems in any business you do which is normal but for you to excel and to scale through the hurdles is another thing entirely.

Tell us some of the challenges faced as a beginner then?

Let me just mention few out of them, for instance, when you are to perform at a party and rain takes the whole day. Another one is getting to an engagement and you meet another artist at the event and your equipment refuses to work.

Sometimes to get balance payment from client after performance is another trouble, and it poses serious challenge, but thank God with determination, we have been able to surpass issues that we see as challenges.

Who are your contemporaries in the music scene?

Femo Lancaster, Lanre Atorise, Yinka Adonia.

How many albums do you have to your credit?
Just two albums for now. They are; Thanksgiving and Praise time.
They were released in the year 2008 and 2015. Another one will be out this December titled 'MY TIME'

Going to United States of America, what informed the dream?

I left Nigeria for Yankee in 2013 finally and since then my music has been doing great, this makes the entire people of New York gave me the title 'AKILE TUNGBA OF NYC

Basically, what kind of music do you play?

I played Gospel- Juju music.

How will you compare music in Nigeria and USA?

To be frank with you, music in Nigeria is the best because you will have all you need to make your music grow but here in America you will use any resources available.

Especially, talking of band men here is really hard but thank God I can play keyboard myself which really has helped me a lot.
That is the reason why I visited Nigeria twice a year to download and reload back.

As a very handsome dude, how do you cope with female admirers?

Its not easy, but self determination is very important in business and you must not mix business wiith pleasure, the end result is distractions.

Who is your role model in the music industry?

Sir Shina Peters and My World best Boss Evang Olayinka Ayefele " OJA "

Finally, what should your fans look out for in your forthcoming album


The album is basically meant to appreciate all my fans home and abroad, especially those that have contributed in one way or the other to my success too. Full of Alujo all through and Praises too