Adewale Laoye

Prince Adewale Laoye, popularly known as (Drummer of Peace) is a Nigerian singer, poet, thespian and pioneer of the modern art of African Talking drum. The Guardian newspaper described him as the Modern master of the African talking drum. Laoye is the founder of “Aafin Ilu” (Palace of Drum), a cultural outfit designed to promote performing Arts and Cultural Events, through the infusing of the knowledge of Talking Drum, to celebrate African culture. He is also one of the progenitors of the late Oba Laoye, Timi of Ede, the drummer King. Quotes Well, my name is Prince Adewale Laoye, but I’m well known by the moniker the Drummer of Peace. I am a traditional drummer, Yoruba folk music revivalist, lyricist, and master of the African drums. I was born into it, and it has been air to me. I am a Prince from Ede, Osun, State, Nigeria, which is one of the ancient towns in Yorubaland. My maternal father came from a popular drumming family in Ede. I love music very much, and I am a member of the largest drum circle in the world since year 2011. Through this organization, we propagate peace through our drums, especially on World Peace Day, which hold every September. I am also the founder and CEO of Royal Home of African Talking Drum called (RHATDRUM). I have represented Nigeria in international competitions including the ACCU Project, which UNESCO organized. I was also at the World Music day in South Africa, Black History Month in Brazil and Oratorio Concert. I was featured in a documentary on the Yoruba drums, Bata and Dundun. Few years ago I championed the revival of the Yoruba talking drum culture among the youths in the South-West of Nigeria. I am very passionate about my root that is why I am trying to revive our traditional music, dance, attires, and so on. I’m set to release a very educative and informative single, which I titled Kilo Wo, meaning ‘what do you wear. My kind of music is very percussive, melodious, and very danceable. I’m using the single to kick against indecent dressing in our society. The single will be available online very soon because we want to release it both for the Nigerian and foreign audience at the same time. the word Kilo Wo, used to come to my mind anytime I come across people, particularly the women, who put on indecent attire, and I thought of addressing that issue through music. It took some weeks before I decided to pick one out of two titles that I had in mind then…Aso n’ Mowo (I’m cladded with clothes) and Kilo Wo…what do you wear? During the composition of the song, I had in mind Aso n’ mowo. But after meditations, I sought the opinions of my friends and family, I asked them to pick one out of the two titles and virtually all of them choose Kilo Wo. I want my fans, particularly the youth and the world at large to know that you don’t need to be nude before you can be a celebrity or a great and famous artiste. Celebrities are supposed to be good examples for the society. Our youths should dress the way they want people to address them with respect. Our ladies must try to respect themselves by dressing decently. I want my fans to know that I’m not an old folk song traditionalist, but a young man reviving wisdom for this generation to know who they are. Yes, I’m a traditional drummer, but not an old one;I am walking with cultural wisdom needed for today and the future. The concept of my attire is unique because it’s locally (home) made of Yoruba people, and what makes it unique is that I use it to send message and educate people; it is our local attire and locally sourced. It is called Kilo Wo style in Batick design. The pattern on the buba (shirt) is gotten from the shape of a Cassava leaf, which represents agriculture and farming, and this has been part of our cultural heritage, which incidentally is no longer encouraged by our leaders in Nigeria. They have forgotten that no farming, no food, and no food, no nation. It need be noted that no farming, no cotton, no textiles, no fabrics, or dyes. We have forgotten that we get cotton from farming, and this makes agriculture important. The fila (cap), is made from Aso-oke, a Yoruba fabric; the pendant is a symbol of unity, while the bracelet on my hands (ileke owo) reflects my royal heritage.