Interesting Life Interview with Singer, Shola Allyson
Wave-making folk singer, Shola Allyson in 2003 embraced the limelight with the hit song, Eji Owuro, a soundtrack for a film of the same title.
Since then, the musician has released over 10 albums, many of which are also hits. In fact, many love the fact that her songs inspire them a great deal.
Allyson opened up to Sunday Sun on her 20 years journey to music stardom. Please enjoy it.
Tell us how the music journey began for you?
I was just tired of doing the same thing (singing) over and over again. I knew that I could act so I went to meet someone in his office. I went with the mindset of becoming an actress and it metamorphosed into me doing the original soundtrack of the film, Eji Owuro. And that was how it all began.
Twenty years since the release of your debut song, Eji Owuro, what did you do differently that has made the record relevant up till this moment?
I think the best words to use will be that I put a lot of hard work into whatever I do. I am a thoroughbred worker who identifies with the ideology that no matter how small a work or project is, I will do it well. I think that’s why the song remains an evergreen or classic, and played at weddings and parties till today.
Did you plan to become famous with the soundtrack?
When we did the soundtrack, it wasn’t like I sat down and planned that I was going to ‘blow’ as you people call it. I just did what I had to do because everything I lay my hands on I make sure I do it well as a woman, wife and mother. After we did the song, they put it in the film and also used it to advertise the film. So, instead of the regular jingle, it was the song that was used to advertise the film, so it made my face become known. Every time I walked on the street of Ibadan where I lived then, people would be pointing at me in correlation with the film and song. It was then I knew I had become famous. Interestingly, I am a very private person, even till now.
How has life been since then?
I have been evolving and it has been getting better. I mean the major part of it was difficult. I am emphasizing it because these days when people meet disturbing blocks in life, they decide to commit suicide because we have been wrongly conditioned that immediately you become saved (as a Christian), things will change instantly. But it’s not always like that and it depends on where you are coming from, and many times things are not equal. You begin a journey and things start to change, then you begin to shed some weight, so there were difficult times, difficult moments and difficult seasons. But here I am today. I am very grateful for what I’ve been privileged to achieve right now; but like I said, my journey is still far.
What’s next for you?
Life, and I worship God. I don’t put myself under pressure, but you can be sure that anything that I will do is based on the same foundation that I have laid. I am a woman, a wife and a mother.
There is this misconception as to where you belong as an artiste, are you a gospel or secular artiste?
I have always been addressing that. Spirituality alone is not it. I’m not a gospel or spiritual singer, I’m a singer. It’s so strange to society that you can do music without being vulgar. It’s because it’s strange that’s why I said there was no sound like mine. Before I came into the industry, you’re either a gospel or secular artiste; but for me, I am a Christian. But then, my songs are not limited to the church because I know that spirituality isn’t limited to the church alone. For me, I’m used to the debate and I don’t know what it means. It has caused issues but I won’t mention names. The Bible admonishes us to do spiritual songs with human perspective. My own purpose is to share the knowledge of God’s light whether it is through gospel or secular songs. It is evident.
Twenty years after, you are still standing strong. Your music is big on culture, are there plans to diversify into filmmaking in future?
Over the years, I have done some small movie projects. I will not be a part of a job that requires opening of cleavages because I understand what I stand for.
For now, let me hold my music tightly because I have found my niche, and I’m okay as long as I’m using God’s work in heart, mind and soul. I am where I want to be but I just need to do more to remain relevant.
Career wise, where are you presently?
Life is new each day and I’m grateful for how well and not how far. That’s why when I start to talk about where I am, I will be teary.
I can’t look back and not think. When I reflect, God opens my eyes to how serious my calling is.
For instance, if you come to my concert, you will be entertained but that’s not all, the spirit will flow. I am somewhere, now I am sure of myself and I know I will still evolve. We are wearing African things now and they are evolving, and I’m grateful for where I’m going.
There have been cases of bullying in the creative sector; did you face any of these challenges?
The challenges are there, the road to success is never a smooth ride but your ability to stand strong and weather the storm matters. I can tell my husband and children anything I’m going through because I’m not alone. There are problems everywhere. All of us will go back to our maker when it’s our time. I love my life as it comes to me. I told you I’ve changed. For the past years, I had some challenges but I used them to challenge myself.
It’s been about two decades since you came into the limelight. How have you been able to stay relevant over these years?
It’s being human, pure and simple. As I’ve mentioned before, I pour my soul into my world, using my failures and victories, revealing my scars from my mistakes, telling my story as true as possible, and baring the state of my heart. Everyone can identify, because we all have these experiences. Maybe not be the same way, but technically, the same thing.
Staying relevant borders on this, because the society we’re reaching out to and selling our works to is made up of human beings like us; all of us are souls wanting the same thing – hope, happiness, joy. As people in my kind of business, the way to go is just to be pure and simple. And of course, always staying in the place where one’s spirit is regenerated, staying awake and conscious, and being connected to the source of all.
How important is having family time for you?
It is very important because it helps to get the family closer. The most important thing is parenting and in doing that, one has to create a family time to rub minds, even sometimes argue. Sometimes, my kids disagree with me on certain issues, but respectfully and politely. So, family time is very important and very compulsory.
Your voice is unique, are there some specific things you do to maintain your vocal texture?
It’s my natural voice that sounds like that. And I’m grateful. I started singing in Modrasat (Islamic school) and then I got to Celestial church. When I was in Celestial, I got to technically sing. In my school, I was the head girl but when I got to church, it made me know technically how I had to sing. I went to Anglican Church too. One of my teachers saw me and I started training.
If you were not doing music, what would you have been?
Most likely a lecturer.
Are there collaboration plans in your forthcoming project?
Not at all, because the songs are ready, we are only putting finishing touches to them at the moment.
There was a viral video of you and popular actor, Lateef Adedimeji singing together; will there be collaboration of some sort in the nearest future?
I appreciate Lateef’s personality; he is a spiritual person. If there is need for collaboration between us, I will gladly honour it. Speaking about the viral video, he was thanking God for healing him and you will notice that at some point, he sang in Arabic, switched to Christian song and we both ‘vibed’ together.
