When you meet Sunkanmi, the first thing that strikes
you is her bubbly persona and alluring stature. The
light-skinned Olasunkanmi Rehanat Alonge is a
graduate of Geophysics from the Olabisi Onabanjo
University. She is a budding Afro-pop artiste whose
song, ‘For body’ is making waves. The fashionable
rising star is a nominee for the most promising act
category, Nigerian Entertainment Awards (NEA). In
this interview, she talks about why Olamide featured
in her song, why she can’t wear bra and pant in a
music video, and the challenges of being an
upcoming act, among other issues
Why did you opt for the name Sunkanmi?
I chose the name, Sunkanmi, because I intend to
come into the industry with total realness. I want
people to know that there is a power behind
whatever name your parent gives you. Olasunkanmi
means wealth comes to me. My own definition of
Sunkanmi is, it’s possible if you believe. Music has
been part of me. I didn’t choose music, music actually
chose me. Music consoles me when I am sad.
Whenever that happens, I compose a song. I get
solace from music. I didn’t come from a Christian
home so I didn’t have the opportunity to join the
choir.
How did you discover your ability to sing?
My singing ability comes natural to me. Whenever I
hear a song, I instantly create my own remix of such
a song. My siblings are always stunned; they tell me
that the way I am singing that song isn’t the way the
artiste sang it. I would have loved to venture into
music when I was much younger.
What has music done for you?
When I came into the industry I was on the big side,
but the music industry has helped me in working on
that aspect in order to project a visually appealing
image. Music makes me connect to God. Before then,
I didn’t take God serious, but now I do. Nothing gets
done without God.
Are you saying you were not this beautiful?
Yes, I was not this beautiful, I was big. You know it’s
showbiz. If you are not looking hot like Tiwa Savage,
trust me no one will listen to your song. As a female
artiste, you appeal more to the guys. If you are not
looking good, they won’t be interested in your music.
They will tell you: “You try” and drop your CD. Once
they know that you are attractive; they will be
interested in listening to your music. I was just this
carefree girl. Music has helped me to be careful with
my eating habits.
What are the challenges of being an artiste?
There are so many challenges. Nothing good actually
comes easy. There are some crazy things in the
industry I don’t like. Things like being affiliated to a
group, before you can be heard.
What do you mean by that?
As a rising artiste, you need to belong to a known
record label before you can be taken seriously. When
you take your CD to a radio station, nobody will give
you attention because you are not affiliated to any
known label. You don’t get that respect even if you
have a good material; I learnt that in this industry.
You have to know people like Don Jazzy or Banky W
before you can have a smooth sail. I have been able
to scale through that by God’s grace. I don’t have
anybody I am affiliated to. The people at the radio
stations will regard you when you are there, but once
you take your leave, you will start hearing your song
just once in a week. All that happens because one
isn’t affiliated to a record label
Have you encountered any flop during any of your
performances?
I was scared when I first performed. Someone once
said in the crowd: “She is just fine, she just get swag”.
Some parts of the audience wanted me to leave the
stage while some others wanted me to stay. It hasn’t
been a smooth sail for me. Some people have said
that I am not a fantastic singer. For me, I strive to
improve with every of my performance.
How has the acceptance of your music been?
I mentioned earlier that it can only get better. These
days all I get is the positive comments. People say I
look and sound better.
What was it like working with Olamide?
Olamide is a big talent. I learnt a lot while working
with him. He is the kind of artiste that doesn’t use
pen and paper to write his songs. Once Olamide
hears a beat, he starts singing on the beat. His
freestyles are incredibly good.
What inspired For body?
For body is a song intended to make people happy. I
just wanted a Yoruba song that would make people
feel good. When I met Olamide in the studio, I just
told him I would love to do a danceable Yoruba song.
I played him two of my songs I had already done
before then. He listened to them, but didn’t like the
first one because he had done something similar.
When he heard For body, he loved it. He wrote his
verse in a short time span. The song is doing well
right now. I featured Olamide because I intended to
leverage on his star power. It’s a song you will be
forced to put on replay when you listen to it.
Have you ever had any wardrobe malfunction during
a performance?
I have had it a couple of times but the one I am
about to share wasn’t a wardrobe malfunction. When
I was in Awka for Star Trek, there was this shirt I
wore that I didn’t tuck in well .While performing,
there was a way the shirt came out that didn’t really
go down well with me. It wasn’t the image I saw in
the mirror before I mounted the stage.
When people meet you at first, what kind of reaction
do you get?
People often tell me that I don’t look like a Yoruba
girl. They say I look like an Igbo. I am a Lagosian
from Epe. My dad is from Epe, while my mum is
from Idumagbo. I am a full Lagos girl.
Would you say your talent and sex appeal work for
you?
The two work for me. People are attracted to
beautiful things. I am a reserved person; I don’t
always dress like an entertainer every time.
What is your opinion about entertainers who expose
their bodies?
Some people believe in the philosophy of ‘if you have
it, flaunt it.’ If the beauty is in you, it’s in you. There
is a way you can be classy yet look fashionable.
How far can you go?
I try as much as possible to look sexy in a moderate
way. If I am wearing a short skirt, it’s not going to be
all that short. You will never see me wear pant and
bra in a music video. I believe so much in putting the
attention on my inner beauty. I am not against
people who flaunt their body, because that is their
own selling point.
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