Samshudeen made the disclosure while speaking on issues surrounding the preservation of his father’s legacy, the challenges faced by the family, and how the musician’s life has been represented in modern creative productions.
He explained that although the biopic helped bring renewed attention to his father’s music and life story, the financial compensation given to the family was, in his view, not reflective of the cultural and commercial value of Ayinla Omowura’s legacy.
According to him, the family had expected a more structured and transparent arrangement regarding benefits from a film project built around the life of one of Nigeria’s most iconic Apala musicians.
According to his words, “We got only N800,000 from Ayinla Omowura biopic,” he said.
Samshudeen added that the issue has remained a sensitive one for the family, especially given the emotional attachment they still have to the memory and public representation of their late father.
He noted that Ayinla Omowura remains a towering figure in Nigerian music history, with songs that continue to enjoy wide recognition decades after his passing in 1980.
The late musician, known for his energetic performances and socially conscious lyrics, is widely regarded as one of the pioneers of modern Apala music and a major influence on Yoruba traditional sound.
Samshudeen explained that growing up without his father meant relying on stories passed down by relatives, friends, and admirers who witnessed the singer’s career firsthand.
He said this has made the responsibility of preserving Ayinla Omowura’s legacy both emotional and challenging, especially as filmmakers and content creators continue to interpret his life story in different ways.
He stressed that while artistic freedom is important, families of deceased public figures should also be properly involved in decisions relating to representation, storytelling, and compensation.
Samshudeen further emphasized that the issue is not about conflict with filmmakers, but about fairness and respect for the memory of a cultural icon whose work still generates value.
He said proper engagement with families would help avoid misunderstandings and ensure that legacies are preserved in a way that reflects both cultural and familial responsibility.
“His father’s music is still alive today, so the family should not be left out of decisions like this,” he added.
According to him, balancing creativity with responsibility is essential when dealing with real-life figures whose stories have deep historical and emotional significance.
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