EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: FUNMI GANGAN AYANBIRIN -THE QUEEN OF DRUMS & HER LOVE FOR AFRICAN CULTURE

By Dupson Collins,8th September,2021

BACKGROUND

I was born in Ado Ekiti in Ekiti State. My parents Mr & Mrs Adepetu Ogunje, hail from Okitipupa Local Government, precisely in Igbotako. I’m the last born of my parents. I started my primary education at the Holy Trinity Primary School, Ado Ekiti and secondary school at Olufunmilayo Secondary School and Aiyepe Community High School in Lagos and Ogun State respectively. I graduated from kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin for my Higher National Diploma (HND) where I studied Public Administration and Local Government.

GROWING UP

I had a fantastic growing up with good parental upbringing. As the last born of the family, I enjoyed special and preferential treatment from my parents and siblings. My dad, mom and elder sisters love and care for me. I never lack any good things like clothes, shoes and other material things. If it might interest you, since I was born, my father never lay his hand on me till I grew up to a lady.

DICOVERED TALENT

My kind of personality believes in DESTINY. Whatever one’s is destine to be in life, it will surely be. At a particular time, I discovered my GOD GIVEN TALENT which are DRUMMING, FOOTBALLING, TABLE TENNIS among others. Along the line, I started to exhibit my talents right from my secondary School to higher institution levels up to this moment.

DRUMMING ABILITY

As earlier said, I discovered my God Given Talent from secondary school. Today, many people only see me as a drummer whereas I am endowed with multiple talents. In the area of TALKING DRUM and other percussion’s like IYA ILU and OMELE, BATA has also been my area of specialisation. Another area of my specialisation is handling other instruments like GUITAR and KEYBOARD; to be unique you have to do what others are not doing. I add Guitar and Keyboard to my style in order to make a difference in a spectacular ways. I love drumming and so passionate about the art of drumming.

BROADCASTING

In the race of my career, I was invited for series of interviews in different radio and television stations..Along the line, my talents pave ways for me during my interview at a radio station (BREEZE FM) where I’m working presently as a broadcaster. The General Manager of the radio station Bashorun Banjo Abitogun was Impressed by my dexterity and talents and decided to employed me at the radio station- (BREEZE 91.9FM). To crown it all,, my talents pave ways for me.

CHALLENGES:

I face lot of challenges; challenges come in different forms. The challenges from neighbors mostly during my rehearsal period, from church like envy, from friends. Another major challenges is disappointment occasioned with late performance at events and lack of promoter to take us to the next level. Yes, I have the potentials, but I need people who have the wherewithal to promote my career.

NEXT LEVEL

The dream of any artiste is to move to the next level. Though, I have traveled outside the state for performance, it is my desire to take my talent to every part of the country, showcasing my talent to the outside world. We have rich culture in Africa and Youruba nation, I am determined to promote the culture of Talking Drum both home and abroad. I am taking up my career because I believe in culture, within my capability, I am determined to take our culture, tradition to the next level. My talents has taken me to places; I have been awarded as an AMBASSADOR OF AGBARIJO IYUN LAGBAYE.

ROLE MODEL

My role model is ARALOLA OLAMUYIWA. The international female drummer.

UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE

My Unforgettable experience, hmmmm, was a day I wanted to go live on my culture program- ILU OBA ORIN, together with my guest artist; my producer prevented me from going live with my guest. He said if I insisted, that he’s going to send my guest and myself out of the studio, saying my program should remain a recorded version. I was like going crazy that day, it so embarrassing but I thank God for everything, whatever you might be experiencing, you must give thank to God. Exactly the same play out in my church when the Church Choir Master said he will not allow me beat Talking drum, saying he will not connect my Talking Drum with Mixer if I insist. These two experiences remain evergreen in my memory. To climb the ladder of success, challenges are the stepping stone to the top.

APPEAL

I’m appealing to the public for their full support and assistance towards my career. I need sponsors to promote my dreams. Their patronage will be highly appreciated because I need the public patronage to be able to show case the stuff I am made of. I promise to promote and rejuvenate our culture, norms and values both at home and diaspora. My fans should be assured of more vibes and innovatiion because I can’t afford to be at the back seat. I will continue to promote our culture on my radio program ILU OBA ORIN. Africa culture, Yoruba culture are beautiful, it must not go into extinction.