Gabriel Afolayan is one of the scions from Ade Love’s acting dynasty. His other brothers, Kunle and Aremu, have also not failed to keep their father’s legacy going in the Nigerian film industry. Just recently, Gabriel took to singing in an attempt some felt was too early for him. But in an interview with The Eagle Online, Gabriel stressed that music has always been in him, but because he gained fame with acting, people tend to feel that he just started with music. In the interview, he talked about how women are instrument of making it in the razzmatazz industry. Excerpts:
How does it feel acting alongside your brothers in movies?
It feels great, awesome and interacting acting along with my brothers.
Was it not challenging acting in movies produced by your two brothers (Kunle and Aremu) almost at the same time (Phone Swap and The Scores)?
It wasn’t, we have always looked forward to do that. For a very long time now, we have looked for that avenue.
Was your venture into acting an easy ride based on your dad’s leverage?
My contribution had a lot to do in it but my dad’s platform also helped. Getting to know that I am his scion makes people to demand for more because they expect me to prove myself to be his true scion and not hide under his shadows. This created more challenges for me.
Would you also follow the footsteps of your brother by going into movie production?
Yes, I would. I am at the pre-production of my own movie. I will keep you posted on that.
Will it be something different from what we see in Nollywood?
Yes, you can bet on that. It would be something very interesting.
Are you trying to surpass the standard set by your brother, Kunle?
It is not for me to say I want to surpass anybody’s standard. I am just here to make my own statement.
You have delved into music. Are you dumping acting for music?
I am not. I am under a management with agreement to do six films and six music. So, I am a complete brand to them.
Between music and acting, which one would you go for?
Music has always been me. It is just that my music career is new to people. People first knew me with acting, but music and acting are two things I really love and have passion for. I can’t leave one for another. I have proven myself in acting. I only need to prove myself in music.
Other actors have tried singing but have not made success out of it. Do you hope to make success in music?
Yes, why not? It would be stale news if I don’t. All I know is that I am doing music not because acting wasn’t paying off and I wouldn’t people to see me as another actor wanting to sing. I am doing music because of the love, passion and appreciation. I am not here to surpass anybody but to bless the game with my uniqueness. The beginning of it that I want to capture the whole world with my music, that is the beginning of failure. Forgetting the fact that you as a singer or an actor, you will definitely have your disciple. As it is, I am just going to give them the best with my kind of music.
What is your style of music?
I do African soul.
How has the response been so far?
It has been awesome.
What is the inspiration behind your unique style of acting?
The inspiration is focus and to do better than before. I am not here to compete with anybody but to just do my job and challenge myself.
What can you not be caught doing?
I cannot be caught doing things that are not edifying like seeing me in gatherings I am not invited to. I believe so much in humility.
What can you spend your last kobo to buy?
That would be music CDs. I listen to all kind of music.
How do you handle female fans?
The level of your success in the entertainment industry is the level of your interaction with people around you and entertainment is women oriented. You cannot do without women. In short, most of the time, they are the propeller of the game. They make the game what it is and also bless the game with their fertility. I salute them. Most of my female fans are very good friend of mine. I run a platonic relationship with them and they even run some errands for me too. They are very useful material to the game. I love them all.