PROMINENT ARTISTES WHOSE CHILDREN ARE INTO SHOWBIZ

Artistry, to some is a talent, but to other people, it flows in the family. Or how do we tell the story of prominent stars whose children are into showbiz?

•King Sunny Ade: He is no doubt a successful juju musician and an accomplished star, but his children did not show interest in music until lately when three of them decided to take after him. The first to come on board is Kunle, who later became a dance instructor in the United States of America. Another one who also shows interest in music is Biodun, otherwise known as Prince Sunny Ade (PSA). He plays a combination of hip hop, Afro, juju and fuji music. His debut album will be released soon.

•King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal: He is a also a successful musician and like King Sunny Ade, three of his children have shown interest in music. One of them is Mustapha Anifowose otherwise known as Musty, who has a digital studio in his apartment at Castle of Peace, K1's home. But unlike his father, however, he is a hip hop artiste and has released a hit single. He played at the 2007 edition of Felabration at the New Afrika Shrine.

•Femi Anikulapo-Kuti: He started music during the life time of his father, the late Fela Anikulapo-Kuti and released two albums before his father's death. Right now, Femi's son, Made, a 12-year old, could be described as an enfant terrible going by the way he plays the saxophone. He has featured in some of his father's top rated shows. Although he is still in school, he played with his father's band during the 2007 edition of Felabration.

•Ebenezer Obey: He is a famous juju artiste turned evangelist. After dumping juju music for gospel, his son, Tolu, formed a juju band and currently plays a number of weekly gigs in joints around Ikeja. He, however, is yet to release an album.

•Salawa Abeni: Her offspring that has taken after her is Okiki. She graduated from the University of Ilorin. She is currently in London and plays hip hop music. It is also worthy of note that Salawa had her for Kolington Ayinla, a foremost fuji musician.

•Sikiru Ayinde Barrister: Is an artiste with lots of followers and having two children— Barrymade and Barryshowkey—playing music. They both play Islamic and fuji music respectively and have recorded two albums each.

•Esther Idowu Phillips a.k.a. Mama Rainbow: She is the wife of the late Alamu Phillips, leader of the Osumare Theatre Group and no doubt a living legend in the movie industry. At 60, she is still waxing stronger and despite her dexterity in acting, it is only her first son, Femi, that shows interest in movie production and he is a force to reckon with in that area.

•Sir Shina Peters: The afro juju music creator started playing music at the age of 10 with General Prince Adekunle's band and later formed a band with Segun Adewale. Despite being a multi-instrumentalist, SSP, as he is popularly called, it is only Clarence, the product of the union between him and star actress, Clarion Chukwura, that takes to entertainment. Unlike his father, Clarence does not play music but chooses to stay behind the camera, producing music and movies.

•Adebayo Salami a.k.a. Oga Bello: He is a prominent actor, who starred alongside the likes of Sunday Omobolanle (Aluwe), Jide Kosoko, Mama Awero during the Ojo Ladipo days. He is blessed with children but only one them, Femi, is into acting and he is a successful actor in Yoruba film industry.

•Jide Kosoko: He is the president of Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (ANTP) and the convener of Yoruba World Music Festival as well as a successful actor in both Nollywood and Yoruba film industries. Currently, his daughter, Sola, is into acting.