I don’t mix business with pleasure – Kannywood actor, Umar M. Sherrif
Story from Saleh INUWA, Kano
Umar M. Sherrif, an indigene of Yobe State was born in Kaduna about 34 years ago. Although he has been in the entertainment business for over 16 years, he is relatively unknown because he hardly talks to the press due to his shy and reserved nature.
Though he has composed and produced powerful songs for films like: Sai Watarana, Jinin Jikina and Gazare Ga Wata, he also appeared in films like Nas, Mahaifi Yata which he played the lead role, Kaso Asoka, Bazan Barki Ba and recently he was in Lagos for a performance with southern artists where they composed a new song, Selle Bobo, in English, Hausa and Igbo.
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His performance at the first Arewa Creative Industry Sallah Concert and Fashion show has attracted the attention of many media personalities. After his wonderful performance, Neptune Prime’s correspondent had an exclusive interview with him, where he talked about women, fame, money, and the good and bad sides of Kannywood.
Excerpts.
Neptune Prime: Congratulations on your successful performance. Can you tell us more about yourself?
Umar: I am the founder of Umar Sherrif Studios located at Nnamdi Azikwe Express bypass Tudun Wada. I mostly compose songs for films, ceremonies, politics and love. All in all, I have composed about 500 songs. I just secured admission to further my studies at Kaduna Polytechnic.
NP: Why is it that people don’t know much about you even when it is obvious you have many female admirers flocking around you?
Umar: Honestly, you are correct. I have too many female admirers and that is why, in most cases, I used to be careful with women so that my family will not suspect me. Well, I am young, only 34, very successful by any standard. I have one wife and more than two children, a beautiful house, chains of vehicles including the latest Camry model. I am also handsome, according to those close to me. I have about 500 songs to my credit. I have directors, producers, actors, and mixers including other singers in my company. I have my brothers working with me- Abdul Sherrif, the lead actor in Jinin Jikina, Mustapha M. Sherrif and also Habu Sarki, a successful director and marketer. So, you can see that women who want to feature in films, those seeking for fun and a host of others have every reason to be here. This is an industry.
NP: Have you ever had a relationship with a lady in Kannywood?
Umar: As I told you, I don’t mix business with pleasure. As for relationships? Yes and no. Even if I did, I prefer to hide it but the truth is, I have too many female admirers that are seeking my attention because of my success, some because I am young, some because they want a role in my films and others are busybodies that want to reap where they did not sow. So, one has to be careful or else you will run into an endless scandal. I featured in films, composed love, politics and wedding songs. In fact, I am surprised when you said I am not popular, most FM stations in the North use my music; if I go to the market for shopping, people end up paying the bills for me when they realise that I am the famous Umar M. Sherrif. So you can see that I am very happy and popular in my own way. My immediate desire is to be a household name in the nearest future. I want to dominate the industry if possible.
NP: Tell us your saddest moment and the male and female artists you enjoy working with?
Umar: Well I suffered a lot producing Jinin Jikina but I got a lot of money from the film because I produced it exactly according to my dream. Ali Nuhu, Abdul M. Sherrif, Rahama Sadau, Zaharadeen Sani, Mustapha M. Sherrif all gave me excellent support and played their roles very well. I enjoy working with Adam Zango, Ali Nuhu, the king of Kannywood; Nafisa Abdullahi, Habu Sarki, Fati Washa, Hadiza Gabon, Halima Atete and several other artists that one cannot mention all the names but have contributed to my success.
