Taiwo Oladoye knows her way around making sweet, righteous music, a fact arrived at after listening to her album titled 'Shake up the heaven'.
The album which boasts of six stunning melodious tracks speak volumes of her immense talent which comes out superbly on account of her sonorous voice and songwriting gift.
Taiwo vividly breaks from the norm, packing the album with tracks which are a product of her own creative prowess, making a difference from the tradition of giving a rendition of popular worship songs.
Through the album she take a flawless
shine praising the heaven with her charming contemporary style which
has in no small measure won her the praise of pundits who describe her
as next big thing happening to gospel music.
CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR ALBUM?: My album is titled 'Shake up the heaven'. It was launched on the 2nd of December, 2012. It is a six track album, produced by Tosin Olajide Paul and cuts across different genres of music. We have the Rock, R&B styles, the one with a Jazzy flow and we have the one a friend called Afro Pop. It is an album that caters to different choices of music.WHY DID YOU CHOOSE MUSIC HAS A CAREER?: Music for me is in-born, I am privileged to be born into a family that loves music. As matter of fact my parent met themselves in the choir.... and i am blessed to be married into a family of music lovers. All along I have been exploring that aspect of my life with every opportunity i have had to be a part of various choirs. Currently, I am a member of the Faith Tabernacle Choir of the Living Faith Church, aka Winners Chapel. I am one of the soloists and Praise cum Worship leaders. This has been the avenue for expressing myself in music and songwriting until i took the decision to head for the studio.
THAT MEANS YOU CAN ACTUALLY RAP?: I don't mind trying my hands on it. As long as it glorifies GOD.
WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF MUSIC YOU LISTENED TO GROWING UP?:
The same way I am not limited to a style of music, is the same way I listen to different styles of music. I am more passionate about Rock, R&B. I also consider the artiste making the music. For instance I listen to Whitney Houston, Cece Winans, Yolanda Adams, Shirley Ceaser, etc.
CAN YOU SING 'SECULAR' SONGS, I.E. A LOVE SONG?: Yes, as long as it is not 'worldly'. There is a single we released this year titled 'My Mother', dedicated to Mothers. The song is not centered on church but when you listen to it, you'll find that it originates from the essence of our Creator. You see, there is a difference between 'Secular' and 'Wordly'. The Bible prescribes 'Worldliness' as being the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life. Therefore, anything that celebrates any of these is worldly, while 'Secular' is anything that is generic, not tied to any religious inclination.
SOME PEOPLE SAY GOSPEL ARTISTES DON'T MAKE MONEY LIKE THOSE WHO DO SECULAR MUSIC: Well, what i have seen so far is that; there is a bias which I found to be subjective. There is this mindset that as long as it is 'Gospel' it can or should only to be played on Sundays and only for church alone; whereas this is about talent. The same talent that those who sing secular music have is what the gospel artistes have, only that they choose to express theirs in a different way.
Besides, I don't think there is any man who would say God is not relevant to him or her from Monday to Saturday. GOD is meant to be a constant, 'per second' personality in our lives. He is still the 'Almighty that fills all in all', whether you are asleep or awake. Without him you can't be anything.
The Industry and the Society needs to understand that it is wrong to allow that bias. The gospel music in Nigeria is changing. We now have a lot of youths who have the boldness and courage to take to take it upon in themselves to make a mark via this aspect of their lives. If the industry can be supportive, a lot of things would change.
SOME PEOPLE ARE OF THE OPINION THAT GOSPEL ARTISTES ARE NOT TO BE PAID, THAT THEIR MUSIC IS PART OF EVANGELISM. WHAT'S YOUR TAKE ON THIS?: That is another major issue that needs to be addressed. GOD said in the scriptures that we should "occupy till I come". He gave us talents for us to "do business with it till I come". That means God expect us to make use of our talents and profit 'with all'. It is still part of the bias I am talking about. People believe because it is a GOD given talent it should be given free. But if you want to place anything on media whether is a gospel or not you have to pay your money. Even going into the studio would not be done for you free, so why would anyone treat gospel artistes as though they are running a charity organization?
The same way we have Christians and Muslims as lawyers and doctors is the same way we have Christians in the music profession who are full time musicians; they also have bills to pay and families to take of. People need to change their mentality to this. That it is gospel doesn't mean it should be dragged in mud. God is not cheap, even Salvation is not cheap, Christ HAD to pay with his blood. Everybody should be given an opportunity for fair play.
IF YOU ARE ASKED TO PERFORM IN A CHURCH, WOULD YOU CHARGE THE CHURCH : Even if it is evangelism, evangelism today costs money, it is very wrong to think that because it is gospel it should be free. If I am coming to a church and I am coming with my band, these are guys for whom music is their full time job. How they would be paid would now be a matter of agreement. Otherwise, how do you expect them to feed their families, and you don't expect them to steal? People should please change their mentality because music is a profession for a lot of people.
WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES YOU ARE FACING AS A GOSPEL ARTISTE: the two points above are part of the challenges, because you take your work to the media and they would tell you they would play it on Sunday and I would start wondering if GOD is a part of our lives only on Sundays. A lot is built around the media, so if the media is not supportive enough how is the equation going to get balanced?
Secondly, media today is expensive. it would be very nice if we can have a platform where young and upcoming talents can have the opportunity where this rocky beginnings can be smoothen out with the help of individuals and corporate organizations. We need to have a platform for emotional, financial and all needed kinds of support.
APART FROM MUSIC, WHAT ELSE DO YOU DO: I work as a media consultant in a foremost Media Independent Agency and of course, I am a wife, mother & child. I have responsibilities in my church.
WHERE DO YOU PLAN TO TAKE YOUR MUSIC TO: To the ends of the earth, i look forward to a time and age where is it all over the world, it is about GOD, it is about the gospel, it needs to get across the world. I am trusting GOD for that to happen.
WHY DID IT TAKE YOU A LONG TIME TO COME OUT: I have been asked that question a number of times. My take is that, there is a time and season for GOD's plans for our lives. The journey actually started with a live 'African Praise, Hymns and Worship Concert' that held in October, 2012. It was while working on that, that the idea of doing my album came out. I strongly beloieve it is GOD's timing.
WHERE YOU CALLED BY GOD TO DO MUSIC OR WAS IT BORN OUT OF YOUR OWN FLAIR AND PASSION FOR MUSIC : Well, I didn't see any 'vision' to do music, there has always been an inner desire to do music. I discovered it is my God-given talent.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OTHER ARTISTES THAT WANT TO TAKE THE SAME DIRECTION YOU ARE TAKING?: First of all I would want everyone to recognize and give GOD His rightful place in their lives. Outside of Him, His plan and purpose for your life, you would just be struggling. Be sensitive to know his plan / purpose for your life and what TIME you are, and as the Lord leads you and you run with the instruction, everything would fall into place. I encourage every youth to give room for GOD in their lives and be bold to take the part GOD has outlined for them; at the end, they will be able to look back and say 'see how far the Lord has brought me'.
HOW CAN ANYONE CONNECT WITH YOU?: To connect with me, listen & download my songs, pls check out details on my website: www.taiwooladoye.com.
Thank you.
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