Follow Us on Google
Dr Tee Mac Omatshola Iseli (MFR) is a Nigeria music legend. He was president of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN) in the early 2000, where he fought for musicians rights and royalties.
In this interview, he spoke on a number of issues.
Not much has been heard about you in recent times. Where have you been and what have you been doing lately that is occupying your time?
Professional musicians use the media and social networks when they have a new product to release or a tour to announce. Hustlers and wannabes like to be in the news every day.
I have been busy working on a film soundtrack and completing a philharmonic composition. In addition, my joint venture partner, PetroNo E&P, decided to leave Nigeria, so I established a new oil and gas company with serious and experienced partners called Atlantic E&P Limited.
What is your candid assessment of the entertainment industry in Nigeria today?
Show business is often a mirror of the health of a nation. Since Nigeria is currently facing some of the most difficult challenges in its history, it is no surprise that the entertainment industry is also suffering.
A few musicians who have opportunities to perform abroad are still able to earn a decent income, but corporate organisations claim they cannot afford sponsorships, and support for the arts has become almost non-existent. Since 1970, I have never experienced such a difficult period in the industry.
What has been the most challenging period in your years in the entertainment industry?
I would say the four years during which I led PMAN. There are far too many ill-informed people in the music industry. Many expect the PMAN President to solve all their problems, while very few are willing to contribute towards finding solutions themselves.
What are the lessons you have learnt about life?
It would take pages and pages to answer that question fully.
The most important lesson I have learned is to stay healthy from a young age so that, after the age of fifty, the body and mind remain strong. Moderation is essential in everything one does.
Do not become addicted to sex, drugs, alcohol, or even religion. Excessive attachment to any of these can be harmful and may hinder genuine spiritual growth.
Be grateful every morning when you wake up healthy, and remember that time is the most precious asset we possess. Every hour should be used wisely and purposefully.
Many music legends have died broke. What would you tell today’s leading Afrobeat artistes about legacy?
Success should make a person humble and grateful. Share your blessings without advertising them, and always invest for difficult times.
Fans may come and go, but your ego remains with you. Every artiste should have a reliable “bread and butter” business outside music. Also, remember that expensive cars are rarely good investments.
What’s one misconception Nigerians have about Tee Mac that you would like to correct?
Many people who have never seen me perform with my fabulous band, Gold Convention assume that my music is purely classical and intended only for seated listening.
In reality, I led one of Nigeria’s first internationally successful Disco and Pop bands. While I ensure that my music is professionally orchestrated, my performances are designed for enjoyment, dancing, and entertainment.
I have also experienced discrimination from some corporate organisations and sponsors who felt that I looked “too white.” Good music, however, is colour-blind.
One cigarette company that toured with musicians across Nigeria in the 1980s never hired me because they felt I did not look Nigerian enough. On another occasion, a major insurance company rejected me for its 60th anniversary celebration because they believed I appeared too foreign.
Now that state police has been enacted into law, do you think it will help address Nigeria’s security challenges?
Nigeria’s security challenges stem largely from failures of leadership. As long as those in positions of authority continue to benefit from insecurity, meaningful change will be difficult.
Furthermore, if state police officers are paid as poorly as many officers in the federal police currently are, little will improve. Dedication, professionalism, and sacrifice must be properly rewarded.
Politically, your voice is not heard today as much as it was during the 2023 elections. Is there a reason for that?
I have largely lost faith in our political system, our judiciary, and our government. I supported Peter Obi wholeheartedly. I performed at fundraising and campaign-related events free of charge and served on the Elders Advisory Board. I was deeply encouraged by the Obidient Movement and the hope it inspired across Nigeria.
After the election, I felt disappointed by the outcome and decided to withdraw permanently from active political engagement. Politics, in its current form, appears to attract a very different type of individuals from the one I aspire to be.
Is this the Nigeria of your dreams? If yes, why? If no, why not?
When I returned to Nigeria in 1970 as a 22-year-old concert flautist with a university degree in Economics and Finance, I saw tremendous potential in the country. I believed I could contribute meaningfully to the development of the music industry.
Perhaps I made some contribution through the establishment of the Classical Music Society and PMAN, but when I look at the situation today, I see a country that, in many respects, is worse off than when I returned.
For the music industry to thrive, both government and corporate organisations must provide meaningful support. Musicians and actors help improve Nigeria’s image around the world. International audiences constantly hear stories about corruption, fraud, and other negative developments. Then a great Nigerian song emerges, and for a moment the world dances and remembers the creativity and brilliance of our people.
We have countless talented artistes who cannot afford quality music education. We have extraordinary actors who deserve professional training. Yet music and arts departments in many of our universities remain among the least funded.
Our arts and culture, our fashion, our cuisine, and our creativity have the power to elevate Nigeria’s global standing. With the right support and investment, we could become one of the world’s leading cultural forces.
If there is such a thing as reincarnation, what would you do differently? Would you still choose music as a career?
What a question! I regard reincarnation as one of the fundamental principles of existence. Personally, I believe that many people doubt the laws of the universe because they have not explored them deeply enough.
If I were given the choice, I would not wish to return either to Nigeria or to another material existence. I believe I have learned many of my lessons and would prefer to continue my journey within the spiritual dimension—a realm without sickness, hunger, violence, kidnapping, or fear.
A place where souls love and respect one another. A place where we realise how often humanity has been misled by greedy and controlling spiritual leaders. A place where we understand that we are all expressions of the Divine—the microcosm of the macrocosm.
The universe is so vast, beautiful, and mysterious that we should spend every day studying it and striving to understand its purpose.
As for music, I have no regrets. It has been a wonderful companion throughout my life and has brought joy not only to me but to countless others.
