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I’ll Be Honoured to Perform at ‘The Experience’ – Teen Gospel Singer, Iseoluwa
She has been on our radar since her maiden concert, ‘Iseoluwa Live in Concert’ which she headlined, performing alongside star gospel artistes in December 2017, just a day before she turned 13. Iseoluwa Abidemi is not your regular kid next door. She is a girl with a vision who is on a mission. From the release of her first single, there has been no stopping the talented singer as she hopes to spread the message of salvation and hope. With four singles to her kitty and a fifth in the making, Iseoluwa is blowing the mind of every gospel music lover. For children’s day edition, Iseoluwa talks about her craft and other issues in an interview with Nkechi Ibeneme
ow did you feel on becoming a teenager?
I became a teenager a day after my concert so it went from exciting to awesome because by the morning, my mom woke me up with a ‘happy birthday’ song. I felt big and felt that my mom was going to reduce the way she says ‘go and do this, go and do that’! Although that hasn’t stopped, my mom takes me more seriously now than before.
What course would you want to study and why?
I would love to study Law. It all started in my JS1 when we were to do a debate and there was this person I thought would do better than me but at the debate, I proved to that person that I could do it. Since then, law and justice have been in my head because we hear stories of how lawyers are being corrupted with money to pervert justice and that to me is not right. Not only that, I feel I’m good at speaking out.
How did your interest in music begin?
The interest in music started as early as age five and it came from different angles. It started from listening to Asa, who is my role model and I try to sing along with her. There is also my mum; hearing her in the choir, I just wanted to be her. Then again, my school choir; the music teacher took me seriously and allowed me lead different songs.
Do you see yourself making a career out of music?
Yes. Music is my passion.
What about your interest in studying Law?
I will still practise law to be able to speak out for the poor masses. But I will combine this with music. I will find a balance between the two just as my parents found a balance now between my music and my studies.
What message do you preach with your songs?
I preach the message of salvation and hope.
Many artistes started in the church choir doing gospel but ended up in secular music. Do you think this will be the case with you?
Well, for now, I am focusing on gospel and preaching the message of hope. So that people, after listening to my songs would be blessed and be inspired.
Apart from your own concert, have you performed in other concerts?
Yes, I have been in quite a few –the most recent being the Tim Godfrey’s concert.
Which dream concert would you love to perform in?
That would be ‘The Experience’. It’s the biggest and the dream is really getting bigger. If I am opportune to perform in ‘The Experience’, and I hope to, by the grace of God, that would be the biggest crowd I would ever sing to but that wouldn’t be a problem because I’m bold.
How else do you keep busy off school season when you are not doing music?
I draw. I watch television and I also teach my sisters how to sing. My hobbies are centred on the arts. Sometimes, I Google gospel songs and listen to them.
Who are your role models?
Asa, Nathaniel Bassey and Tope Alabi.
Where do you see yourself ten years from now?
I see myself being heard, being talked about that ‘this girl is really blessed and this girl has motivated me.’ I am in gospel to motivate and inspire people.
How do you intend to make ends meet if you are not banking on gospel music for a livelihood?
When I grow, I will continue to be wiser and smarter to have other sources. I have learned this from my parents. If something isn’t working, find another way and don’t look back. I believe my law profession will sustain me and I am open to other ventures as well.
What advice do you have for your peers about life generally?
Life is full of choices, make the right choice. Don’t depart from what your parents have taught you.
Do you have any advice on the negative use of the social media?
How about you stop? Think of the consequences and your future. Listen to your mum because that’s the person that absolutely knows and cares for you. As for mothers, they should regularly check their children’s phones for the history of sites visited.
If you came face to face with President Muhammadu Buhari, what would you say to him?
I would tell him that I know he’s trying his best but he should listen to the citizens and be open to their suggestions.
What’s your take on charity?
I am open to charity. This I do on a low scale for now but which I hope to take higher. Currently, I donate my cloths which I have outgrown and food stuff to the less privileged.
D’Natives Afrocentric: Promoting African Culture Among Youths
In this era of globalisation and westernisation when hip hop, R‘n’B and rap are the craze for youths all over the world. With more demand for booty-shaking songs, the African traditional music is in less demand and therefore holds little attraction for the young generation of African music and dance artistes.
It is, therefore, very refreshing to see a group of young people who dare to be different in their choice of music.
D’Natives Afrocentric Cultural Group is a group to watch out for. They are not only walking a path less trodden by their peers, they are also bringing a breath of fresh air into the African traditional dance genre and hopes to return its vanishing glory.
D’Natives Afrocentric came into existence in 2010 through the love and passion for the arts of two special individuals, Mr Quincy Chukwuebuka Opara, a graduate of the University of Ilorin, who majored in linguistics and Mr Rowland Levert Minimah, a seasoned journalist, whose passion for cultural dance gave birth to the group.
The duo met in Ilorin and decided to come together to form the group. Over the years, the group has grown in leaps and bounds.
D’Native Afrocentric cultural group looks to encourage the young generation to appreciate and enjoy the rich African cultural heritage through dance.
Riddles
Crack Your Brains a Little with these Riddles:
1. You throw away the outside, eat the inside. Then throw away the inside. What is it?
2. What can you keep after giving it to someone?
3. What gets broken if it’s not kept?
4. It’s so fragile even just saying its name can break it. What is it?
5. Jimmy’s mother had three children. The first was called April, the second was called May. What was the name of the third?
6. It’s been around for millions of years, but it’s never more than a month old. What is it?
7. Three doctors said that Bill was their brother. Bill said he had no brothers. Who was lying?
8. Two fathers and two sons are in a car, yet there are only three people in the car. How is this possible?
9. I have seas with no waters, coasts with no sand, towns without people and mountains with no land. What am I?
Answers to riddles:
1. Corn on the cob                      2. Your word
3. A promise                               4. Silence
5. Jimmy                        Â
7. No one. The doctors were Bill’s sisters.
8. There were, grandfather, father and son.
9.  A map.                         Â
*Source: LaffGaff
10. It belongs to you, but other people use it more than you do. What is it?
