22nd October, 2010
Veteran singer and ‘Baba ku ise’ crooner, Evangelist Bola Are, spoke with P.M. Entertainment about the crisis in Gospel Musicians Association of Nigeria (GOMAN), gospel music industry and other issues
What is your opinion about the way some gospel artistes appear in public?
It is sad, some of our people are behaving as if they are not born in Nigeria. IÂ believe in the Yoruba culture that says dress well.
What is your association doing to correct the trend?
We are trying our best possible but some of them are not joining because they want to be independent and when you are too independent, you cannot achieve anything. My belief is that if you are not part of the society, you are out of it.
Are you satisfied with the level of gospel music in Nigeria?
Sometimes I am not happy, that does not mean I am not happy with some who sing quality songs. But when you call them and advise those singing trash, they will say you are old school. What is old school? The God we serve is old and as old as He is, He still keeps doing good things. You cannot compare God with anybody and when gospel is not refined in your music, you are not a gospel singer.
What about those that sing praises of people at parties?
That is the worst thing for anybody to do. On my stage, you don’t put names down. I don’t praise-sing; in fact, I make it clear to whoever is engaging me that there is no praise singing and if you insist, I can return your money. Those that praise-sing at parties are not gospel artistes, those doing that are merely praising God and human beings at the same time, which is not ideal. My advice is that they should stop it before it is too late.
Why haven’t you released an album lately?
Well, I thank God that to date, I have about 62 albums to my credit. Right now, I have just completed Adura Owuro and Gbogbo Idile Jesse, on video and compact disc. Others are Oluwa Ni Oluso Aguntan mi and Power in his praise, among others.
What about a new album?
It is because of the situation in the country now, because to promote an album is no more a joke. I am with Remdel Multimedia because of the steadfastness of the record company. Right now, we are coming out in a grand style.
There is an allegation that you don’t accept those that sing in either English or other languages in GOMAN, is this true?
It is not true. Initially, some were scared and tried to form their own group, but now, they are joining us because they know that we are a very serious group of people.
During your tenure as the president of GOMAN, what transpired between you and some people?
You know that some people within the association were of the opinion that a woman should not rule and they held us to ransom for years. Now, they have come to beg and when I prayed to God, He told me that He called me to rule and there was nothing anybody could do to stop me. Now, we have a new president, Brother Timi Osukoya and things are working fine.
What other things did God tell you at that time?
God told me to step aside and I did.
How did you hear Him talk?
I was born with the gift of hearing God’s voice and when God asked me to step aside, I did and when He said I should go back and maintain peace, I also did.
It has also been alleged that you are very stubborn and you don’t listen to advice?
It is a lie, I only stepped on the toes of those fornicating in the association or what do you say to a member who is also a pastor sleeping with another man’s wife? So I should not talk? Do you want God to strike His rod on me? No, I could not do that. I told them the truth and they were against me. I will always say the truth.
How would you describe yourself?
Evangelist Bola Are is a disciplinarian and she is not disputing that. If you know the history of Ondo people, you will know that they are strict, so I have the Ondo and Ijesa blood in me that makes me a complete disciplinarian.
Was that why you were hard on your members?
Yes, I don’t support fornication and corruption. In fact, before I became the president, there was nothing in GOMAN’s account, but today, it is a different ball game. Thank God, I have achieved what God sent me to do.
What latest thing is coming from Evangelist Bola Are?
I am releasing four VCDs at the same time, just be on the look out for them.
If not music, what would you have been doing?
My ambition was to become an accountant but God told me to go into music, which I did. In fact, I dreamt nine times, where God told me that I should sing for Him. I saw in my dream that I went to a polytechnic and while others were going into the campus, the gate men sent me back, saying the lecturers were on strike and this manifested.
Have you made money from music?
It is normal about money, but what I have is more than money. Since I started in 1983, thank God today, my kids are doing well and in fact, they sing, while the boys play the guitar. Ours is hereditary.
So you are from a singing family?
Yes, my grandfather, I was told, chanted Ijala very well. Although I was told that IÂ inherited the talent from Him, to me, my gift is from God.
How did you compose the popular song Baba ku ise?
It was an inspiration from God. I was driving one day and the Lord dropped the song into my brain. Then I did not have a pen or anything to record it and it went off me again, until the Lord told me to fast for three months and I did just that. When it was exactly three months, while I was going to work, the song came again and by then, I had a bigger tape recorder and pen. If you check my bag now, I have both big and small recorders in it. The day it was exactly three months, I was at the church of one of Adebayo Faleti’s in-laws, Pastor Kehinde. In fact, he is not lettered but as soon as I entered the church, he said “Bola, Osu meta pe loni,†meaning Bola you have completed your three months’ task. And I answered yes. I began to weep and started singing Baba ku ise. If the song travelled so far and wide, I fasted for three months to get it and I thank God for it.
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