Sola Allyson-Obaniyi is an elegant singer and music instructor popular for recording the soundtrack of a Yoruba movie, ‘Eji-Owuro’; a Yoruba movie. Her music is poetic and unique even as it evokes memories of folklore, which serves as a central part of our upbringing as Africans. The award winning singer speaks to SAMUEL ABULUDE on what inspires her music, family life and her penchant for always dressing African.
How has this year faired with you?
2013 has been a good year for me. Things do not have to appear spectacular or “big” but I know I got closer to God’s purpose for me, day in day out all through the year. I am always working, and any opportunity I have to minister to people to me is a privilege in fulfilling purpose and getting into the centre of God’s plans for my life. Presently, I also have a program where singers are trained to fine-tune their strength and work on their weaknesses which we call “FINESSE”. Apart from that, I am a wife and a mother. Therefore, my hands are always full.
You are one of the few singers of the folklore genre of music, is it a difficult genre of music?
It is not difficult to do what God sends you to do! It is all about finding your place and resolving to stay in your place, despite all challenges and distractions. Everyone has his/her own place in every industry and strata of life. I do the kind of music I do base on personal revelation and inner conviction that it is what I am called to do. Besides, singing in Yoruba comes to me naturally and effortlessly, it is evidently a free gift from above, considering the depth of the Yoruba language and usage, so I decide to use my gift as much as I could. Whatever divine purpose you are given always come with the ease to carry it out as long as you do it the way you are supposed to.
As a gospel musician, how rewarding has it been for you?
The path I have chosen to walk has been really rewarding to me, and I still look up for more help. It is not just about material wealth; the fact that the music I am privileged to do blesses people beyond entertainment is so precious to me. My rewards are the souls of men and women my music has touched and is still touching, in all areas of life, directing their attention to the living God, who gives and gives. And I am very sure that material wealth shall come definitely.
How many years have you been singing professionally?
Professionally, I have been singing for more than 25 years, working with various artistes as backup singer, popular and unpopular, which include Stella Monye, Gbenga Adeboye, Yinka Ayefele. I also worked with Pasuma and Obesere. I did jingles and adverts too.
What are the outstanding milestones for you?
Milestones? Well, ‘Eji Owuro’! Exactly 10 years ago. It was a great turn around for me. And I believe I started my real walk and work in life with that turnaround. I have entered into people’s hearts, souls, homes, affairs and so on. I have reached high places and met people; I have been privileged to influence positively both young and old. I have been recognised and celebrated in my world. All these are milestones for me. My daily life is a milestone, as it is always an opportunity to get closer to the plan and purpose of God for my life. Another milestone is my marriage. Meeting and having such a good and great friend in my life as well as being privileged to be a mother.
Since you broke through with ‘Eji Owuro’s’ soundtrack what has changed?
Since the break came with ‘Eji Owuro,’ not much has changed about me. I just got better every day; all the experiences I have had and still have are cherishable and sweet. The break does not define who I am. It was just another segment of my life. I am loved by my Maker, validated by Heaven; there is a plan for my life. So all shall get better!
How did you hone such unique voice?
I am a trained singer endowed by the heavens. I am a singer by erudition, a musicologist, by profession, I am a complete musician. The voice I have is a free gift, a talent, I went to school to study the skills to enable me use the talent, and I try as much as possible to stay close to The Giver, hence the uniqueness! Getting a degree in Music was deliberate. Whatever is worth doing at all is worth doing well. And The Bible says, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.” Getting educated about whatever talent one has makes a big difference and improves you. Getting educated gives you an edge, carves a niche for you and opens your mind to different ways you could use your talent confidently.
Which testimonies made you shed tears?
Wow! This platform is not enough for me to start recounting testimonies I have received about the songs I have been privileged to write and sing. Suicide-prone minds have been healed, the sick have been touched, hopes restored, marriages have been healed and strengthened, souls have been saved, decisions have been made to stay on God’s side, peoples’ paths have been illuminated. I am privileged to get into peoples’ hearts and souls through my music. Even those who do not understand Yoruba said there is something about it both in Nigeria and abroad. My music, in all gives a message which may not be understood by the ears, but experienced by the human spirit. All glory to The Giver.
Do you get wooed by your male fans or admirers?
I have never been wooed by any male admirer o! I do not sow the seed of lust, so I do not reap such. Rather, the male admirers on my path have blessed me in different ways, materially, by praying for me and encouraging me. You see, as a woman, my thoughts, dressing and general conduct determines what fruits I get, even as a human being. I do not think lustfully, so I do not get lustful results. I am treated with dignity by my admirers, male and female alike.
Which of your songs has really opened doors for you?
All my songs are opening doors for me. By God’s Help, all my songs are hits. They all talk about different issues that affect the human spirit. The lyrics of my songs are like a preacher’s note. It affects people in diverse ways. All of them open doors for me, and people respond and refer to me with any of my songs that greatly affect them. ‘Eji Owuro’, ‘Gbeje f’ori,’ ‘Akosile,’ ‘Omo tuntun’, ‘Orekelewa’, ‘Iba, Adun,’ ‘Obinrin,’ ‘Ire’, ‘Aseye,’ ‘Mimo,’ ‘Isinmi,’ among others. All these songs are blessings. The experiences I have with these songs are beyond words. I feel joy in my soul at various times, I receive the songs and when I eventually release them, it gets beyond explanation.
You hardly sing in other languages apart from Yoruba, why is that?
Singing in Yoruba is a calling for me. I am doing what I get inspired to do. Maybe for now, maybe for all times, I do not bother; as long as souls are being drawn to God, the language is a small issue. I do not speak as much as I sing in Yoruba. It is a gift that comes freely and I believe those whom I am sent to are reached accordingly. Everyone has a segment of the society to reach. We should focus on the vision we have received from above which is revealed in our spirits, not as we think it should be. I am a graduate of Music, I could have decided to sing in English, but the music I do is not my decision, it is heaven’s injunction.
What 3 important things do people not know about Sola Allyson-Obaniyi?
Three things people do not know about Sola Allyson? I don’t think there’s anything. Nothing is hidden about me. I am a normal person, abi? Like the girl next door. I have so much joy being a woman. And I fulfil my womanly roles, spiritually and physically, to the best of my abilities, looking upwards and inwards at all the times as my Maker directs. I met my husband in the church choir. We were friends for many years before “Eros” peeped in.
What do you love the most about your husband?
What I love the most about him? His resilience, strength, calmness and maturity. I get to know him more every day as my love for him grows in leaps and bound. It will be 10 years we met in March next year. We have our challenges though, but as we stumble, help comes from above to strengthened us as we walk tall again. He is a kind-hearted and selfless person; he is above all my friend.
I noticed that you often stick to a simple fashion sense, what is fashion to you?
Fashion means comfort to me. It also means looking feminine, cultured and beautiful without so much effort. My style is simple and beautiful. Simplicity is beauty in itself. I do not follow trends, never. I just wear what I am comfortable in, with all modesty. I like to glorify womanhood, not in the curve and shape, but in simple but noble mien I am wired with.
What determines what you wear?
Nothing determines what I wear really. I determine it! Although taking into consideration what I am dressing up for, formal or informal event.
Why are you used to dressing in ‘Ankara’?
I wear ‘Ankara,’ ‘batik’ and any other African or African-inspired clothes because I believe in who God made me to be. I just love being African, Nigerian and Yoruba. I have joy about where I am divinely placed in creation!
You were nominated for Artiste of the year at MEGA, how does that make you feel?
I am grateful that I was nominated for MEGA Awards. There are many, many others, but I was one of those considered, so I appreciate it.
Were you disappointed that you did not win?
Disappointed ke? Everyone nominated cannot win at awards! I have won multiple awards, and I am still going to win more by God’s grace. The awards that are important to me are the souls of those whom God sent me to. I am always praying for sensitivity to know and do it right when I meet such people. I was at MEGA Awards to perform and be in a godly atmosphere, which I so much enjoyed. I am happy for those who won, and I rejoice that the evening was another opportunity for me to meet people I should meet on my path in life. I made people happy and I was happy too.
What projects are you working on?
I am always working. As a woman, wife, mother, singer, speaker, trainer, consultant and counsellor everything I do is a project. Cooking, taking care of our children performing my wifely roles, all that I do are as important to me as reeling out song “projects”. Everything matters! All of them are rolled into one to be called “fulfilling purpose.”
What inspires you, would you say ‘Adun’ is your best effort?
All my songs are given by inspiration from above and I give my best in all my works, with the resources available to me. The best is yet to come as it can only get better as long as I walk the path of Light, my light shall shine brighter.
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