By Guardian Nigeria
18 November 2023 |
4:20 am
Throughout the Christian gospel music scene, many recent faces have begun to dominate the scene. Born Olumide Oyibokure, Nigerian singer Waju, is a tremendous addition to this period of Nigerian gospel musicians.
Waju
Throughout the Christian gospel music scene, many recent faces have begun to dominate the scene. Born Olumide Oyibokure, Nigerian singer Waju, is a tremendous addition to this period of Nigerian gospel musicians. From taking part in music in his childhood church choir to becoming a member of a bunch known as ‘Made in Heaven’, Waju looked for his personal distinctive path. Having been uncovered to course from acclaimed gospel music group, Midnight Crew, the younger musician soared as a bunch member, first, earlier than residing experimentally and fulfilled as a solo participant. In a sit-down with Guardian Music, the younger musician peels again layers of his come-up, whereas revealing his muses and inventive inspiration behind his soon-to-be-released first album, Lumination, amongst others.
Your background
My title is Olumide Olanrewaju Steven Tolulope Oyibokure and I am going by the stage title Waju. I come from a household of 4, I’m the primary little one and I’ve three siblings, a right away youthful brother and two pretty sisters. My late dad was a media character, an excellent journalist and a superb author. I beloved his write ups and loved studying them quite a bit. My mum is a retired civil servant, a seasoned trainer who taught the humanities and languages, Yoruba and English to be exact. My household moved round quite a bit, therefore, I attended fairly various colleges on the main training degree. I attended Mannequin Nursery and Major Faculty, Ile-Epo, the Tifedayo Nursery and Major, Railway crossing, Gateway Nursery and Major Faculty, Alagbado and at last Corolla Nursery and Major Faculty, additionally in Alagbado. I attended Ijaye Ojokoro Excessive Faculty, Alagbado and studied Linguistics and African research on the College of Ibadan. I’m into music fulltime and love what I do.
How did you enterprise into music and what influenced your chosen model of music?
My love for music began at an early age, I’d say once I was aged between 10 and 12, however I didn’t actually take it severely when it comes to wanting to construct a profession in it. In early 2000, I joined the choir of The Plentiful Life Church, Agege, Lagos, the place Gbenga Oyebola a.okay.a. (Gminor) of the extremely acclaimed award successful group, Midnight Crew was one among our choir administrators. I learnt quite a bit below his tutelage and by the point I gained admission into the college, I started acting at numerous gigs on campus, and like they are saying the remaining is historical past. Like different types of artwork, that are all about expression, music gave me alternative to inform my very own story, my reality, my struggles and private experiences. I may write poems, draw or dance, if I wished to however I realised music was the medium that basically gave me the chance to actually categorical myself the best way I wished. It’s laborious to place a peg on what really influenced my model of music other than desirous to be distinctive. Nevertheless, it’s a vibrant combine of various sounds from afrobeats, delicate rock, pop to R&B, juju and highlife.
Stroll us via your inventive course of of constructing music
Effectively for me, there’s no fastened method to it however primarily it includes writing the songs in addition to vocalising the identical. Writing songs is mainly about partaking in storytelling, which I consider must be real with a view to eliciting the fitting emotional response from the viewers. It’s an artwork, so, because the grasp storyteller, after I’ve conceived the concept for the tune, I take out time to fastidiously string the phrases collectively in a manner that greatest tells the story whereas concurrently toying with potential beats, keys, pitch that fits it. Typically, if I’ve to play with phrases, I do it intelligently and with a little bit of humor too. Once I’m happy with the depth of the lyrical content material, vocalization begins and the lyrics are dropped at life via it. Then after all, I am going via a collection of rehearsals and work with related music professionals to make sure that the tune(s) and high quality of manufacturing meets worldwide requirements.
Inform us about your newest mission
My newest mission, which occurs to be my sophomore album is named Lumination and because the title suggests, it’s a showcase of what I can do and in addition nice issues to anticipate in future. It’s a 15-track album with songs that talks about life, love, private battle and challenges. The album shall be out on all streaming channels on November 24, and songs like Dide, will hold the viewers enthralled.
What impressed Lumination?
I stepped again and carried out a vital evaluation of the each day life struggles of man amidst the backdrop of societal prejudice and financial instability. Many individuals are going via powerful instances; damaged relationships, well being, monetary challenges, lack of an expensive one, despair, and generally even in your loved ones, amongst associates, colleagues, you may not know besides they confide in you otherwise you sense there’s one thing fallacious and probe additional. So with all these and different points coming to the fore in fast succession, I used to be impressed to let folks know that there’s gentle on the finish of the tunnel. I additionally drew inspiration from the facility of affection, private and different folks’s experiences.
What makes it completely different out of your earlier works?
Years in the past, I used to be a part of the gospel group known as ‘Made In Heaven’ and we executed numerous tasks. Though completely different geo-locations that we discovered ourselves in really put a pressure on our skill to proceed as a bunch, we nonetheless have a powerful bond and communicate. It was a collective effort again then, however Lumination is my first solo album. It isn’t gospel however it has a powerful, distinct message that can encourage the viewers, has mass attraction which individuals regardless of nationality, race, tribe, age can join with.
How do you cope with efficiency anxiousness?
I’m undecided if there’s any artiste who is really free from efficiency anxiousness irrespective of recognition, expertise or legendary standing. For me, I attempt to cope with potential stress forward of my efficiency. I loosen up my nerves and shift my focus away from the efficiency and channel it on constructing constructive power round myself. Via this, I’m all pumped up when the time comes for me to mount the stage.
Had been there instances you felt like giving up?
There have been lots of challenges that I confronted as an unsigned artiste with no in style file label. I all the time needed to hustle to get gigs. Now going solo, I’ve needed to put on completely different hats simply to make sure that my goals didn’t die. On this mission, I’ve been the music composer, tune author, government producer, music director, content material creator amongst others. It was overwhelming and emotionally draining.
Moreover, once I considered the promotional side and the large funds concerned, chucking up the sponge was the one factor that stored coming to my thoughts. Nevertheless, I believed in myself, my goals stored shifting on even within the darkest instances and right this moment I’m joyful that it has come to fruition.
Who conjures up you regionally and internationally within the music Business?
Effectively, I hearken to lots of artistes so it’s actually laborious to say this or that individual conjures up me. They’re all good in their very own rights and may maintain down their spots. For me, God nonetheless stays my supply of inspiration.
Is there anybody specifically that you simply want to collaborate with?
That’s one other laborious to inform reply (laughs). Presently, I don’t have anybody in thoughts however however I’m open to collaborations each regionally and internationally.
The place do you envision your self in 5 years?
I see myself releasing extra songs, albums, taking my craft to the worldwide stage, partaking in collaborations, model offers, vocalizing songs for movies/TV collection amongst others.
What’s your recommendation to those that are on the verge of giving up on their musical goals?
The journey of a thousand miles begins with a step. As soon as you’re taking that step, don’t look again. There’ll all the time be challenges on the best way, simply hold working and make sure you’re shifting ahead. Nothing in life comes straightforward besides you need to lower corners and we all know the aftermath of such. Hold being diligent, consider in your self, belief the method and in the future it should repay. Additionally In all the things you do, put God first.
How do you unwind?
I spend time with my household, play with my youngsters, hang around with associates, play video video games or see a film.
