Our girlfriends can hardly identify us –GBS

GBS

Taye and Kehinde Elijah and a third member, Akintola David are behind GBS, meaning Gold Standard Brothers. The twins tell Saturday Beats about their career

How did you meet the third member of your group?

Basically, we have been friends since childhood and we do virtually everything together. When we discovered our talent, we decided to form a group and sing together.

How did you come about your stage name?

The name was coined from the nicknames we called ourselves from childhood. Our real names are Akintola David, Taye and Kehinde Elijah but we nicknamed ourselves Kito Maizin, Tenigold and Kenigold; and we refer to ourselves as the Gold Standard Brothers, GSB.

How did you discover your talents?

Our parents run a church and we are all part of the music department of the church. We have been in the choir since we were children and that is how our passion for music grew. We can play musical instruments like the piano, guitars and drum sets. We also sing as well.

How is it combining schooling and music?

It is really not easy to be honest. Oftentimes we need to travel to certain places to perform at shows on school days. The passion we have for music is what has sustained us till date. Kehinde and I study Computer Science and Engineering at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology while Akintola studies the same course at National Open University of Nigeria. We are all in 300 level. At first, it was not easy but as time went on, we planned our lives in such a way that our academic work does not clash with music.

Can you share some of the challenges you face because of your music?

It was really hard getting ourselves together to record our tracks because of school but we have promised ourselves that we must complete our education because it is necessary. Also, we have faced financial constraints. As up and coming artistes, we don’t get the much needed applause from shows and events because people do not know us yet. But we believe as time goes on, we will become the megastars we have always dreamt of.

It is often said that up-and-coming artistes are usually snubbed by established acts. How true is it?

Yes it is true. I can remember that a famous artiste shunned us at our first show at an event in a higher institution here in Nigeria.

Do you get any preferential treatment from your mates in school or lecturers?

Sure. We get that a lot of time because people respect us and they love our music.

Music bands in Nigeria are known to break up after success. Do you think same would happen to you?

No, we don’t believe that we can part ways because we are more than just a group; we are brothers and also childhood friends who have gone through a lot together.

How has it been for the twins to work together?

We have our good and bad times but we don’t let it show to the audience. There are times when we have had our disagreement and it would be Akintola that would mediate between us but once we are performing, we are one.

How did your parents react when you chose music as a career?

Well, our parents love music and they have really been supportive. They also advise us to face our studies while chasing our dreams.

How would you describe your kind of music?

Our genre of music is based on afro-pop and hip-hop.

What sets you apart from other up-and-coming singers in the industry?

We believe our creativity and hardwork distinguish us from other artistes. Also our mode of delivery is very unique. We have the passion and we are also developing it so that we can be versatile.

Are you into music for fame or fortune?

We are into music because we have the passion and talent but we believe that as time goes on, with hard work, fame and fortune would come.

What is the craziest thing female fans have done to you?

Basically what they do most times is to run to us screaming our names and trying to give us hugs and kisses. Whenever it happens, it makes us so amused and surprised.

How has it been combining music, academic work and relationships with lovers?

It has not really been easy but with good planning and schedule, they all go along.

Do your girlfriends complain about your music profession?

No, they don’t. As a matter of fact, they have been really supportive and understanding.

Do they get jealous when women surround you?

Sure, every lady does that but with God’s help, they have been able to understand that it is part of our profession.

Don’t people get confused when they see the identical twins?

People get confused a lot and it is only our family members and close friends that can easily differentiate between us. Even our girlfriends get confused sometimes because we look alike a lot. Recently Kehinde and Akintola went to a supermarket ahead of me. After they had bought their goods, they went to the toilet and that was when I arrived. The attendant thought I was the one that shopped and was insulting me for not wanting to pay. I had already known what was going on and was smiling when Kehinde and Akintola appeared behind her from the toilet. She was so shocked and full of apologies after realising we were twins. Growing up, our teachers used to mistake us for each other and it still happens till date. There were times we played tricks on people because we look alike.

Given the opportunity, who would you like to work with?

We would like to work with P-Square for obvious reasons. They have done very well for themselves beside the talent they have. They are also a group that consists of twins like us. We would also love to work with Tuface, Wizkid, and other top rated artistes.