Talented and fast-rising multi-talented actor and musician, Albert Adeleye Johan, popularly known by two different nicknames, Labule (in the movie industry), Adenightingale (music), is a native of Ondo. He was born and raised in Lagos, and has featured in over 30 movies. In this interview with Quadri Akanbi, Adenightingale expounds on why one of his directors named him ‘Labule’.
You are a musician and also an actor. How have you been able to shuffle between the two without contradicting one another?
Being an actor and musician doesn’t contradict each other at all because I do schedule time before going for any job. There is always a solid understanding between me and my directors and producers. If it happens that I have two jobs at the same time, I will reason with my director and producer to please let me act my role early so that I can leave the movie set early. Once I can deliver my lines, then I’m good to go. I like to do the acting first before attending a music event. Why? Because while on the stage singing, I can’t leave until the event is over.
What is your genre of music?
Highlife mixed with Fuji and hip hop. Nowadays, we call it repatual with highlife.
You have two different nicknames; in the movie world, you are known as Labule, and in your music line, you are known as Adenightingale. What is the motive behind the two different names?
Hmmm… Actually, Labule is a name given to me by one of my great directors called Bakky Adeoye. Then, we were on the set of ‘’OKUTA IPARUN’’, and I arrived at the location very early before the call time for me to have enough time to brainstorm my script. So, I recall when he walked in, and he saw my mode of dressing; he screamed and started laughing, making gest of me in the Yoruba language ‘Labule le leyi o’. My colleagues on the set burst into laughter and started calling me ‘Labule’. That was what gave birth to the name ‘Labule’. And in the music world, I named myself Adenightingale, because it is a different stadium.
How did you find your way into the acting world, and when did you start acting as a career?
My career in acting started six years ago when a friend invited me to a movie location at Abeokuta. Since then, acting has been a part of me.
Will you give us some insight into your process as an actor?
I always feel so emotional at times because fans are number one, and you need to keep them.
How do you describe your acting style?
My acting style is dicey, because it depends on the role I am taking.
How do you feel when you make your fans engrossed in your characterisation?
I always feel so emotional at times, because fans are number one, and you need to keep them.
Describe your most challenging role in the movie set to date?
My most challenging day on a movie set to date was the day I was given a role to act as a police officer, and I needed to shave off my beards to make it real as a police officer. It was ike the world wanted to end that day. But it was what I have passion for, so I had to shave it off.
Since you’ve been in the industry, how many movies have you produced or acted in so far?
I have not yet produced my own movie, but I featured in so many movies. I have lost count, brother.
Of the lot, which is your favourite film, and why?
Uhnnn!…let me say “AYANFE”. It was a movie produced and directed by Bakky Adeoye.
As an actor, which actors and actresses do you admire most, and why?
I always admired many people in this acting stardom, especially those big actors and actresses, but I admire four actors and four actresses like Antar Olaniyan, Ibrahim Chatta, Odunlade Adekola and Adedimeji Lateef.
On the feminie side, Shola Shobowale, Bimbo Akintola, Iyabo Ojo and Funke Akindele. The actors I have mentioned are very classic and unique.
What do you like doing in your free time?
In my free time, I do play games, or hang out in the studio to engage myself for rehearsal.
What is your most embarrassing day as an actor?
My embarrassing day was the day that my director told me to come and drive his car for one work like that…I couldn’t tell him that I didn’t know how to drive. I needed to tell him to give me another role.
What does the word hunger mean to you?
Hunger….hunger …hunger…
It leads to many things and can make someone commit a crime. A Yoruba adage says “EBI KI NSE ORE ARA”….May we not know hunger. But hunger has different categories – one might be hungry for success, wealth or any valuable things.
Can you tell us about the most interesting or exciting projects that you are currently working on? How do you think that will benefit people?
Working on my mixtapes which will benefit most upcoming musicians like us, because music is therapy.
