27th June, 2014
Esther Igbekele, notable female gospel musician in this interview with KAYODE APONMADE speaks on her career, family and upbringing among other issues.
Can you lead us into your background?
I was born into a Christian family of Pastor and Mrs Isaac Oluwafemi Igbekele, I was born and brought up in Lagos. Orile Iganmu to be precise. I hail from Ifon, in Ose Local Government, Ondo State. My father was then a choirmaster at CAC Oke Anu and a tailor by profession before he later became a factory worker at the then PASSAT NIG LTD. They made shoes and my mum was a food seller, (Iya Esther Oniresi). I was not born with a silver spoon, we were five in number and I was the only girl. I went to Central Pry School, Orile Iganmu. I was sponsored for my secondary school education by a man of God. Apostle J. A Bankole. Because he discovered the gift of God in my life at a crusade held in front of our house then in Orile Iganmu when I sang. After that I was interpreting from Yoruba to English and I was so young and with a very small stature. So he promised to take up my education from my parents, so I moved down to his place at Iju-Ishaga. Agege. I attended Lagos African Church Grammar School Ifako Ijaye.
As you progress in life, what were the things uppermost in your mind as a career?
As I was growing up, because I was a sharp and intelligent person, I got two things on my mind, either to be a banker or a nurse by profession because the wife of the Pastor I was living with then was a midwife and she always calls on me to assist her whenever she wants to take any delivery. From there I started building my interest towards that job, not knowing it was not going to be like that.
Were you born a Christian and when did you become born again?
Yes I was born a Christian and was brought up in a Christian home.
How did you come in contact with music?
Well, I was born and brought up with music in my blood. My grandfather was the only drummer that could play to make the king of my town to get up on his throne to dance. While my father and his siblings were all singers, my father was a choirmaster for about 25 years before he finally became a pastor. My father always took me along any time he was going for choir rehearsals. Then I was around two years of age. Because he said I loved dancing and he didn’t have a set of sound equipment at home, so he will carry me to church so that I may hear the sound of music. When I was five, I started leading the junior choir and they took me from junior choir when I was 7 to senior choir, because I was too sharp to be relegated to junior choir. God so good, the man that took me up to sponsor my secondary school was a pastor and a gospel singer that even has his own band then, called ILU AYO GOSPEL SINGER, so I became one of the band members. I started developing myself day by day as backup singer from one studio to another.
Did you attend any training musically?
I can say I did attend but not in an official way, I want to know more about music, so I started joining series of gospel bands to learn more about writing and composing music. I sang with Pastor J. A Adelakun of Ayewa Int. Gospel Singer (Amona Tete Mabo) for five years, Evang Akin Adebayo of Imole Ayo Gospel Singer for four years and Evang Kingsley Ogunde for two years.
How did you start professionally?
I started professionally in the year 1996.
Can you share your first studio recording experience?
My first studio recording experience was with Apostle Bankole when he took me to the studio as a back up, I was very short that there is no microphone stand that could be used by me. At Olumo Studio at Ajilete bus stop, Agege. So they had to join a multi-track box together to make me stand on it before my voice could catch up with other singers. But to the glory of God, I outshone everyone in the cubicle with me. Though I was frightened but I later composed myself to be who I used to be in terms of singing.
What is your ultimate plan for music?
My plan for music is to ever be who I am. To be original and to be a source other people will tap from. Music is all my life and I want to end my life being a musician, because my passion for music is high and tremendous.
How are your albums doing commercially?
Well, to the glory of God, His grace has always been speaking for me in the market, I don’t have any promoter but God is promoting me and to my credit I have about 12 albums to the glory of God.
How has it been combining music with family?
It’s not so easy combining music with family. Music is a time taker, you have to be devoted and really put in an extra time and effort to get up, and once you are famous, it’s requires more time than ever, so as it is, I have a little time to spend with my family, I just thank God for their understanding.
How did you feel upon nomination for MEGA?
Actually I wasn’t aware about my nomination on time, but as it was, I feel good at least, it’s a sign of recognition for me and my career.
Did you ever conceive wining any award?
I can’t really say yes or no. But every career artiste will always dream to be the best and always relevant. A professional it is always trying to be positive. So if I say yes I hope to win, I may be right and if I say no, I know anything can happen running a race. There is always a winner.
Well winning an award is always a call to challenge your effort. I could remember, if you take your report sheet and you did well, our parents and well wishers will say keep it up. Winning an award means one must not relent in his or her effort, because winning was as a result of what people admire in your efforts. So it’s a great job and a sign of progress to me. I should try to put more effort and creativity in more of that area I won.
You won in a very competitive category, what does the award mean to you?
Winning an award is an image and career booster, and energy giver as well. It makes someone to be more focused, devoted and determined.
Who are your mentors?
Bola Are and Onyeka Onwenu are more of role models, Pastor J. A. Adelakun is my mentor and some of my friends that I won’t want to mention their names.
What is your perception of love?
Love brings forth every good things of life
Your prayers for Nigeria?
I pray that God should heal our land and let His peace reign in this nation and the whole world. He should put an end to these killing, bombings, abduction, kidnapping and assassination.