Keke, D1 transformed Nigerian music – Mike Aremu

Saxophonist Mike Aremu has declared that Kenny Ogunbe (Keke) and Dayo Adeneye (D1) of Kennis Music are responsible for the transformation Nigerian music industry has enjoyed in recent years.
He made the declaration in an interview with TheNiche while promoting his up-coming concert, Sax Appeal 5, to be headlined by American soul singer, India Arie, in Lagos on June 26.
“They are great people as far as I am concerned. People don’t actually give them the due credit; they are responsible for where Nigerian music is today. Quote me anywhere, I would say that they brought the transformation, they pushed it and some people who had no idea are reaping from the sacrifice of the duo that started Kennis Music. I salute them,” he said.
About insinuations that he and the two whose label signed him on for his first album did not part on a good note, he said that was contrary to reality.
“The contract ended. I mean, I always say I owe it to God and Kennis Music. No matter what happened or what transpired, one is growing and realising that God actually used these people. So, I will never say anything against them,” said the artiste who started music in a church in Minna, Niger State.
Apart from Aremu, others on the bill for the evening of jazz on June 26 at Eko Hotels and Suites will be Timi Dakolo and Praiz.
Aremu said the small number of artistes is so that those who attend can enjoy the artistes and enjoy his music.
“We are going to have at least a 60-minute set or more each,” he said.
Born in Kaduna State, Aremu grew up in Minna, where he started music by playing and every other instrument like the keyboard, drums, the guitar, ‘talking drum’, trumpet then picked up the saxophone, which eventually became his major instrument.
In 1999, he was signed on to Kennis Music, where he released his first album, Dance, and then a follow-up, No Shaking. In 2005, he did his third album, Unveiled, with O’jez Music. In 2010, Coat of Many Colours was released.