How I started composing modern Hausa beats – Rabi’u Dalle

Tell us briefly about yourself?

My name is Rabiu Yakubu, but I am popularly called Rabiu Dalle. I was born in the city of Jos, the capital of Plateau State. I had my primary school education in the city of Jos before proceeding to the Government College Jengre, also in Plateau State.

In the year 2009, I joined the services of Lanscope Media, with Sani Mu’azu, and that was where I started my career as a composer.

After working for sometime in film production, I realized that I have talent in the area of composing music; without being immodest, I think it is something that is in me. Even when I was in secondary school, there was something we used to refer to as ‘Social Night’ and whenever we are going there, I would make sure I joined the beat composers. So like I said, I realized over time that it is something very central to my life. And I am in this profession to promote our culture as well as that of Africa and the entire Black world.

And we do different kind of songs. In fact, we are at the forefront of modern music composition in this part of the country, where we use computers and other modern instruments, but still we use our own traditional music instruments such as kalangu, kuntugi, lalayo, because they also promote our culture and form of music. And the use of our own local instruments is so good that people sometimes find it difficult to believe the music were composed here in Nigeria. That was actually how we started. After spending some years doing it in Plateau State, I later relocated to Kano city, where I landed in Bashir Tofa studio, Ruqayya House together with Misbahu M. Ahmad. We churned out a number of works from there. Then I joined Nagudu Studio, on to Peacock Studio. From there I set up my own company called Lafazy Entertainment. We have since graduated a number of artistes who are now on their own.

Apart from composing music, are you into filmmaking?

I have never starred as the main character in any film. But I have worked as a cameraman. Right now, I am into film production and have produced quite a few. I produced ‘Zazzafan Hawaye’ and ‘Ni Da Kai Da Shi.’ There are others as well.

There is this song in the film called ‘Adamcy’ by Yusuf Karkasara. There seems to be controversy surrounding its composer. Who actually composed the song? Is it you?

I composed the song right here in Lafazi entertainment. Yusuf Karkasara and Murja Baba only sang it. Indeed, before Yusuf came for the song, I was called on the phone by Ali Nuhu, informing me about it. In any case, both Yusuf and Meku are just like my boys. Due to the nature of our work, sometimes one can ask any of his boys to work on a particular CD.

That was what happened and even led to that needless controversy that Meku composed the song. If you notice, things like this are normal. Again in ‘Adamcy’ part three, there was a song by Nazifi Asnanic. It was the one earlier meant for the part one, but it was not well received then.

Apart from composing music, what other things do you do in your company?

We also sponsor film productions. You know we are together with a film director, Mansur Sadiq, so we work hand in hand. That way we have produced a number of films some of which are yet to be released.

Some say relationship between composers and singers is hardly cordial. What is your own experience like?

I have a very good working relationship with singers and even composers. For instance, Ali Baba is my very close friend and we have been together for long. We respect each other. The same thing applies to others in the business. But you know it is not unusual to have misunderstanding from time to time because that is a reality in life.

There are instances where people will come to you seeking your assistance, but the moment they start excelling you will be the first they will fight. But this is not limited to us alone; it also happens in politics, business and other profession.

Again, sometimes a person will come into the studio with his song in writing. If you give it to someone to read he will see it as a mere letter because it has no form. It is after finding the right beat and rhythm that song can be recorded in the studio. So it is in the studio that a written song can be turned into something that the audience can relate to. If you get the opposite of this, you will see composers and musicians parting ways.