Celebrated singing couple, Tunde & Wunmi Obe (T. W. O), speak on their new album, T. W. O Plus, AKEEM LASISI writes

For many artistes, every album brings a different sense of fulfilment. This is especially so when it is a well planned album, and one that represents a kind of landmark in the musician’s career.

That is why this is one of the best times to encounter celebrated singing couple, Tunde and Wunmi Obe, who have just released their fifth album titled T.W.O Plus. They are so passionate and enthusiastic about the new work that you can hardly chat with them on it without feeling their impulse and eventually catching the T.W.O Plus fever.

But the excitement the album is generating is far from being a vain one. T.W.O Plus is not only an ambitious artistic endeavour, the story of its coming is also that of many firsts and several bests. It has the potential to redefine the couple’s musical career.

As Wunmi would quickly note, the album was recorded, mixed and mastered at the couple’s new top-class T.W.O Plus Studio in Lagos. Also, the musicians collaborated with several artistes, thus giving the listener not only a variety of themes but also a variety of voices. In collaboration with T.W.O are Tuface in the track (Green White Green, which can be described as the song of a patriot), 9ice (Ayanmo), Dammy Krane (Woske), Teniim (Wedding Day), Brace (Ire), and Floss (Bianu). The tracks, as well as in the remaining ones that include Omonsa, Without Your Love and Rise Up, come clean in undulating genres that yet retain the T.W.O’s characteristic artistic liveliness.

Wunmi sees the collabo festival as a surprising departure from the group’s tradition. Of course, this is the essence of the title, ‘TWO Plus’, meaning Tunde &Wunmi Obey plus the other ‘collaborators’.

Another unique feature of the album is that it has 15 tracks, the highest they have produced, just as they worked with four seasoned producers who, Wunmi noted, added varieties to the songs. These are Bayo Joseph, Del B, Papi J and Samklef.

Well, it is also an album in which T.W.O come out as multilingual singers. Apart from English and Yoruba, they dared to bring in Igbo, Spanish and a Ghanaian language.

Speaking at a briefing anchored by BHM Media, Lagos on Tuesday, Wunmi described T.W.O Plus as their best body of works so far. According to her, the fact that they had the studio to themselves encouraged them to give the songs the best.

She said, “There was no pressure on us when the music was being produced. We did not rush the process of creativity. We could change a song overnight. It took us up to a year to produce because everyone working on the album took their time. You see, at a level as an artiste, it is about expressing yourself into your music. At the end, T.W.O Plus is our best body of works so far and we can only thank God for it.”

On the depth and texture of the album, Tunde noted that T.W.O Plus had taken their art to a point that it represents the best they had ever wanted to be in the industry. According to him, it exudes a professional conviction that is bound to resonate with their fans.

He said, “People now understand the kind of music that is unique to us. We don’t have to compromise in terms of quality because people recognise and appreciate the unique kind of music we give out.”

The ‘couple of songs’ stressed the importance of producing good music that can stand the test of time. According to them, an artiste should be worried if he projects into 10 years’ time and he cannot see his music there.

Their experience with the different artistes they featured is also memorable. While Wunmi recalled that Dami Krane was precise and comfortable on Woske, her husband noted that Tuface went beyond the tone already set for the Green White Green by creating his own melody. In the same way, they gave kudos to the producers, saying they pleasantly surprised them.

“We expected that they would use their own type of music. But they were willing to work with our own style. We were pleasantly surprised. They wanted it to be music – not just an average music that lasts a little time and is gone,” Wunmi explained.

On their staying power, T.W.O observed that their commitment to what they regard as good music and a durable art has been of help. They do not, for instance, believe in cutting corners with their talents, while they will never want to touch the kind of hypes that some guys create around their songs or persons. Indeed, BHM Chief Executive Officer, Ayeni Adekunle, cast a symbolic joke when he wondered why T.W.O had never created a hoax that they have split for one day. The couple rejected such a gimmick on philosophical, moral and spiritual grounds.

Tunde said, “Our upbringing in music gave us the staying power. We started as a band and performed different kinds of songs the way we heard them. We worked with real musicians, including Bisade Ologunde – Lagbaja. Also, we do not really get cut up in the ‘star’/’celebrity’ nonsense. My job is to give good music that people will appreciate. We don’t believe in cutting corners because we respect our audience and we are not carried away by the glamour side of music.”

Wunmi added that it was important for every artiste not to lose his head in the forest of glamour.

She said, “Don’t believe in hypes. If you do, you are on your way down. Humility is also important. Besides, an artiste should learn to change with time and be versatile. You have to start to listen to the younger ones – producers and artistes alike. Take criticism constructively. Sit back and listen to voices suggesting, ‘This is what you should be doing now.’ As for us, we have been open-minded and gladly take criticisms of what we do.”