Popular Nigerian singer, Temitope Adekunle, popularly known as Small Doctor, has described boxing as his greatest sporting passion, saying his involvement in sports has also helped him maintain a strong connection with his fans.
Small Doctor made this known in an interview, where he spoke about his childhood, music career, sporting interests and the experiences that shaped him.
The singer, who was born in Kaduna and moved to Lagos at a young age, said he grew up in Dopemu and attended primary and secondary schools in Agege.
Recalling his childhood, he said, “Growing up was not really rosy for me.”
Small Doctor said he had always been interested in sports, particularly boxing and football, but identified boxing as his biggest passion.
“It’s boxing. Everyone knows I love boxing. Boxing is my life the same way football is some people’s life, and basketball is for other people; boxing is mine. I am boxing,” he said.
Although he does not follow football as closely as boxing, the singer said he supports Barcelona and considers Argentine football star, Lionel Messi, the greatest of all time.
For boxing, Small Doctor named former world heavyweight champion, Mike Tyson, as his favourite sportsman, while he identified Nigerian table tennis player, Quadri Aruna, as his favourite African sportsman.
He said his continued participation in sporting activities was partly motivated by the opportunity to interact with his supporters.
“I have always been part of sports and till today, I participate in sports and sporting events because it helps to bridge the gap between me and the fans,” he said.
On his popular reference to “Omo Iya teacher” in his songs, Small Doctor confirmed that his mother is a teacher and owns a school.
He said his parents supported his childhood ambition to become an aeronautic engineer, but he eventually pursued music, which he described as his God-ordained path.
Small Doctor also recalled the challenges he faced at the beginning of his music career, saying he came from an average family and had to take up petty jobs to raise money for studio sessions.
He, however, expressed appreciation to a producer known as Pennywise, who recorded his first song at almost no cost because he believed in his talent.
Explaining how he got his stage name, Small Doctor said it was given to him by his elder brother, who noticed his fascination with the television series Dr. Who and his small stature.
He said his brother initially called him “Doctor Small”, but he later changed it to “Small Doctor” because he believed the name sounded better and was easier for fans to relate to.
The singer said his music is primarily targeted at people on the streets, adding that his relationship with his audience is built on mutual trust.
Addressing criticism that his songs contain too much freestyle and lack meaningful messages, Small Doctor said he does not write his songs before entering the studio.
“I have never written songs. I just go into the studio and say it as it comes. None of my hit songs was written,” he said.
He added that his songs contain messages conveyed through street slang and storytelling, noting that artistes also need to make their music unique in a competitive commercial industry.
Small Doctor said the biggest lesson he had learnt from the entertainment industry was the importance of remaining true to himself.
