Legendary Music Producer, Laolu Akins Turns 71
Born on Monday, 18 November,1946 and notable for his simplicity and modest life style, the sage music producer, Laolu Akintobi popularly called Uncle Laolu Akins turns seventy one on Saturday, 18 November, 2017.
However, KAYODE APONMADE in this piece warmly chronicles the career, past and present achievements of the versatile and multiple award- winning songwriter, composer, prolific instrumentalist and music producer extraordinary, Olaoluwa Akintobi famously called Laolu Akins who turns 71 on Saturday, 18 November, 2017 as he gracefully adds another prosperous year
Renowned and charitable Akins is revered worldwide not only for his age, agility and simplicity, but for his inexhaustible achievements, intelligence and wealth of professional experience, passion for the youth, subtleness and pleasant disposition to issues.
The outstanding agile musician, composer and repertoire consultant hails from the ancient city of Abeokuta, Ogun State, southwest Nigeria.
The versatile ageless father of three for his education attended LTC Yaba, Lagos and Orange Production Centre, London United Kingdom where he bagged Certificates in Electronics Music Production & Recording Techniques, Music Performance, Music Appreciation Activities and Societies.
Uncle Laolu’s ambition in life was not music as a profession. According to him, “as a young chap growing up, I wanted to fly airplanes, but something happened and music took control and I did not refuse the urge. Here I am many years later still deep in the business and the experience has been wonderful to the glory of God”, he recalled.
As an artiste, the all round professional Akins has been a member of various frontline pop groups including Clusters International, Afro Collection, Salt with which he toured extensively with Ginger Baker.
The massively talented drummer was a member of the defunct three-piece band, BLO-featuring Berkely (Jones), Laolu (Akintobi) and (Mike) Odumosu (BLO) which held sway in the 70s.
L.A, as he is also fondly called has brightened the careers of Nigerian music stars including Sir Shina Peters, Adewale Ayuba, Onyeka Onwenu, Mike Okri, Salawa Abeni, Christy Essien Igbokwe, P-Square, Funmi Aragbaye, Wale Thompson, Abass Akande Obesere, Orlando Julius and Demola Olota among others.
Akins, the two-term Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria, PMAN 2nd Vice-President also has to his credit three platinum discs as the producer of Shina Peters’ Ace, Shinamania and Adewale Ayuba’s Bubble albums in 1989, 1991 and 1992 respectively for selling more than 250,000 copies each.
The accomplished awards winner is a key member of the Interim Management Board of Copyright Society Of Nigeria (COSON) to ensure the development of a standard collective management structure.
Laolu Akins is the C.E.O of Excel Studio, a multi million naira state-of –the art analog and digital international standard music recording studios in Ikeja, Lagos.
The Studio, Pro – Audio Resources & Studios is a music services company, providing recording, production, mastering, transfers, A & R consultancy services & licensing.
It also engages in the provision of technical support services in various other music and entertainment related areas; live shows, stage production equipment among others.
Akins worked with defunct Sony Music Entertainment Limited Lagos, Nigeria from August 1989 to October 1998 (9 years 3 months) as the A&R Controller.
The septuagenarian is reputed for his skills and prolificacy at music production, entertainment, audio engineering, music mastering, sound studio recording, music publishing, musical equipment &technical services, songwriting and artistes relations.
