Why are you in in the country?
I am in Nigeria to promote my new single titled Take my Heart. I am a singer and a songwriter. I play gospel music. I am in the process of releasing an album, but this is the single that I have been working on for a few months now. I have released a few singles in the past, but this will be the first single that I will be releasing officially in Nigeria.
Take my Heart is about coming together as a nation. Right now, there are a lot of things happening in Africa. The Ebola virus is one of them and other issues we are... facing as Africans and as Nigerians. So, this song talks about coming together as a nation,and as a continent.
Do you have the intention to collaborate with the local artistes?
If the opportunity presents itself, why not? If it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be.
Who among the artistes would you like to work with?
I would have loved to work with the late Kefee. I consider her to be one of the biggest gospel artistes in Africa. I met her and her husband in Canada last year. May her gentle soul rest in peace. She was a great artiste and I had my respect for her. In fact, we were planning to work on a pageant project back home before she passed on. But God knows the best.
You were one-time Miss Nigeria Canada. What got you into the pageant life?
I entered for the competition and won the Miss Nigeria-in Canada pageant. Through the pageant exposure, I was able to lend a hand by increasing awareness about Sickle Cell Anemia in Nigeria.
My friends and family members encouraged me to enter for the pageant which I did.
While growing up, did you dream of becoming a beauty queen?
Honestly, while growing up, I was more into sports-basketball and soccer. I wasn’t really the pageant type. But I just gave it a shot. That was what happened.For now, it’s all about my music.
Why did you delve into music, is it in your blood?
I hail from a very religious family. My father is a pastor and growing up in the church, singing in the choir, and leading praise and worship songs really helped to influence my career in music. Music is a part of my life and a part of my family. That’s how the whole thing started.
Who are some of the big artistes that influenced your kind of music?
In Nigeria, I would give it to Ebenezer Obey. My dad loves him so much. But if you are talking of the new generation of Nigerian artistes, Tuface and Lara George. In North-America, I’m influenced by gosepl artistes like Cece Winans, Commission, Yolanda Adams, Bebe and Cece Winans, Kim Burrell and Donnie McClurkin.
Why did you choose to become a gospel singer?
Having come from a religious background, I couldn’t imagine singing in any genre than gospel music. In other words, what I sing represent what I believe in, and what I stand for. So, I represent positivity, moving forward, having faith in God and following your dreams despite whatever challenges and mistakes you might have made in life.I want to give people hope with my music. For me, it’s about spreading a positive message of hope to the people.
You were 2 years old when your parents moved you to Nigeria, and you stayed in the country for six years before returning to Canada and re-immersed into Canadian lifestyle. Was in those six years that you got acquainted with your roots?
One of the greatest gifts my parents ever gave to me is the fact that they brought me back to Nigeria while I was still a young girl. This is because they gave me the opportunity to speak and understand the Yoruba language. I was raised by my grandmother who was only communicating to me in Yoruba.
She forced me to learn the language. Even my parents over there communicate to us in our local language. Though I spent only six years in the country, it really helped to shape who I am today. Apart from that, the second greatest gift they gave to me is introducing me to the word of God. When you have the word of God, every other things would fall in place. It doesn’t matter what challenges you are facing in life. It’s a great thing for me to grow up in the Church.
What was it like growing up in two different cultures?
It’s very tough because most times, people would want you to identify with one culture or the other. But I have been able to live with the two cultures comfortably. I am Nigerian-Canadian. The experience has helped to shape my future.
What was your most hilarious backstage experienced as a beauty queen?
There was a time I was supposed to perform on stage. I didn’t know where I kept my shoes and my sister was assisting me to prepare for the performance. Thank God, we both wear the same size but her feet are a bit bigger. I quickly put her own shoes and went on stage. Unfortunately, I didn’t move well on stage because I didn’t want to fall.
What gave you the confidence that you were going to win the pageant?
I don’t think I had confidence that I was going to win the contest. But I think I had confidence that I was going to be the best that I could be. I felt that my best would be good enough. So, I wasn’t thinking that I was competing with anybody. I wanted to put my best forward, and because of that, I was successful.
Did winning Mis Nigeria-Canada pageant change anything about you?
I think what it changed about me is the fact that it increased my love for Nigeria. This is because one of the prizes I got was a trip to Nigeria. However, embarking on that trip made me to want to come back to Nigeria and do more things with Nigerians.
What’s your best beauty secret?
Be yourself; be natural. That’s my best beauty secret.
What’s your perception about Nigerian music?
Nigerian music is really growing.Our artistes are recognised all over the world for their works. I think it’s a great achievement for the country.
No comments:
Post a Comment