Evangelist Olamide Adeniyi is a graduate of the Osun State College of Technology (Esa-Oke, Ilesha) and a gospel singer. She tells ADURA INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE about her music career and future plans, among other issues
How long have you been into professional gospel music and what led you into it?
I started professionally 11 years ago with my own band and we minister in churches, open-air crusades, and weddings, among other events. I also compose songs for conferences, programmes and more. I started composing and singing at a very tender age, so after I graduated from school, I had had it in mind that I would release my own album too.
How exactly did your church choir influence your music career?
It really helped my career because I was the choir mistress in my church before I got married. So, then, we usually go for competitions, both in Lagos and Ogun states and most times we would come first or second. I learnt a lot in the church choir and I am benefitting from that experience in my music career.
How long did it take you to work on your new album?
I have had a lot of songs that I composed years back. So after the ‘Celebrate the Comforter 2019 convened by Rev Mother Esther Ajayi where l led the praise team, I saw all the guest artistes and I told myself: ‘Olamide, you can do this’. I rearranged all my songs within two weeks and I went to the studio.
You featured Iya Rainbow in your video. Why?
Mama Rainbow has been a very good mother from way back. After I launched my album, I went to meet her when I was looking for a good marketer. So mama listened to the songs and called me later in the night that she loved them. Mama called her Personal Assistant that we needed a short video as soon as possible. That was why we shot that video.
What would you say you learnt from her during the period you shot the video?
Mama Rainbow is a typical example of a Christian, a good example of a Christ-follower. She is humble, polite and hates cheating.
Do you feel fulfilled as a gospel artiste?
Of course, I feel fulfilled
How are people responding to your album?
People are responding well to it online but the problem I have now is a very good and sound marketer because people are calling me everywhere that they need the CDs. I need to distribute it to local stores too.
Where do you hope to be in five years’ time in your music career?
I have the faith that I am going higher because I am not relenting. I already have very well composed songs for like two to three albums already. And this time, it’s coming out big. I want to make the world to understand that the Cherubim & Seraphim has got lots of talents. That is why in my songs I sing both in English and Yoruba.
Who are your role models in the gospel music space in Nigeria?
My main role model is Mama Bola Are and the late Dr Rolland Olubukola Olomola (Baba Ara).
Who among the gospel artistes in the country would you like to collaborate with in the future?
I will like to work with Sister Bunmi Akinnanu (Omije Ojumi) and Aunty Tope Alabi because they are also good composers.
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