http://www.codewit.com/entertainment-news/3977-nigeria-music-is-an-integral-part-of-my-being-deola
ADEOLA OSOSAMI a.k.a Deola is a UK based Nigerian female singer whose
single, Beremole is currently ruling the airwaves both in the UK and
Nigeria. In this chat with ANOZIE EGOLE, she talks about her music and
her plans to do collaborations with home based artistes.
Plans for this new year
I will be releasing about six new songs to show the stuff I am made
of. Hopefully, I will be releasing one of them in the first quarter
of the year.
The lyrics of the song?
There are a variety of topics in there and a range of love songs,
inspirational songs and fun songs as well. My next release is almost
ready. It is called ‘Never Leave.’ That will be the next song from the
mix . It is a love song. It is just me saying I will never leave you.
Do you write your songs yourself?
Yes, I do
Source of inspiration?
I draw my inspiration from everyday life and from what I experience or
observe as well. Inspirations just come on a normal basis.
How soon are we to expect your album?
Hopefully, that will happen in future.
Are you considering relocating to Nigeria soon to showcase your talent?
There are always plans to come down to Nigeria and hopefully I will be
in the country this year.
Why are you putting your album release on hold?
I wouldn’t say I am putting it away. I am a new artiste. So, at the
moment, I am still trying to get people to know who I am than focusing
on releasing a new album. Though, I am working on releasing a few
mixtapes. They would definitely contain a number of songs. The music
is still coming out definitely.
How many songs are we to expect in the mix tape?
I can’t give you any numbers but definitely, there will be enough for
people to get a good feeling of what I am about to do.
Your single, Beremole is currently rocking the airwaves. What is the
story behind the song?
Beremole is just a fun song and it is coming from the point of view of
the confident girl. When she is out, she sees a guy and they both like
each other and the girl decides that she will be the one to make the
first move so she asks him for a dance. That is where the song comes
from.
How did you end up in the music scene?
Music has really been in my blood since I was a child. My earliest
memory was probably when I was 10, I was doing some singing in church
and little bits of performances. Since then, I have really loved
music. That was when music became an integral part of my life.
What informs your style of music?
My style of music is afro hip hop with a tint of soul and jazz. I
have a range of fast songs like Beremole. Also, I have done some
slower songs as well which springs out more of the jazz style in my
voice.
As a UK based Nigerian singer, how much of your culture is still in you?
It is hard to run away from your culture. Most of my family members
always visit us from Nigeria in the UK and most of my friends are
Nigerians. You can’t really take the culture away. It is within me. It
is not something one can lose, so the Nigerian culture is still part
of me.
How much of it reflects in your music?
Definitely, there are traces of afrobeat style in my music. I think
one of the things that make me unique is the fact that I try to blend
different styles of music. All my songs will definitely have that
afrobeat edge and style to it. I like to sing in a mixture of English
and Yoruba most of the time but once every while, there might be a
song that is fully English. Definitely, I am trying to give a nice
blend with the languages as well.
What record label are you signed on?
I am signed on an independent label called, Lunakidz Music based in
the UK. But the label is planning to expand. They are already building
some collaboration with some Nigerian artistes as well. It is an
upcoming label.
What drew you to Lunakidz?
I know quite a few of the people on the label for a while so we have
developed a friendship over a long time. We used to work on music
together a few years ago. From there, it just evolved and they have
taken me under their wings. So yes, it stems from friendship and our
love for music together.
Are you collaborating with any Nigerian artiste at the moment?
I don’t want to say anything yet but definitely, it will happen.
Soon, I will be doing collaborations with some local artistes.
But you are currently studying Dentistry. How do you relate that with music?
Like I said, from a young age, I have always loved music and I have
always known that music would be a part of my life in some ways. It
wasn’t always clear to me how but I think over the last few years,
that has formed the basis of the conclusions for me. I love my
academic but music is really my passion.
How receptive are your parents to your career especially given the
fact that music is a far cry from your field of study?
My parents are very supportive. They have always been encouraging me
right from when I was young. They are very supportive. Obviously, they
want me to complete my degree programme and I am definitely going to
do just that. Then I would be able to focus more on my music.
How much enthusiasm do people over there show to your music?
People are very receptive to new styles and new ways of expressing
creativity especially through music. In the UK, people are receptive
to afrobeat style of music. So, I would say it has been good. It is
very encouraging to see what the likes of D’banj and Wizkid are doing
over here. They are paving the way for afrobeat right now.
How would you describe growing up in the UK?
Growing up in the UK is memorable. The UK is mixed with people of
different races. Growing up in the UK was fun.
Do you miss home?
Definitely, I do.
Would you want to relocate to Nigeria some time in future?
Let us see what the future holds.
