I Can’t Be Tied Down By Any Label Anymore After My Remdel Experience -TOPE ALABI

Tope Alabi is arguably the best selling Gospel singer in the country. The lady, who has numerous evergreen numbers, spoke with Adeyemi Matthew  on her magic wand. 

Which one do you have passion for most, gospel music or sound track

I have been into theater for over 18yrs before I started singing Gospel music and around 1993, I started sound track over which I was encouraged by late Prince Alade Aromire of blessed memory, up till date I am still in it. But, Gospel Music is a divine call upon my life. In the year 2000, when I and my husband were seeking the face of God concerning our wedding, God said He wanted to use me and if I didn't agree with Him I would not have a home. So, reluctantly I accepted because I didn't have it in mind to sing Gospel, I did not know anything about it. I was born and bred in a Catholic Church. And to be a servant of God in that Church, it is either you are a reverend sister or a reverend Father. So, Gospel Music is a divine call, while sound track is my hobby through which I show my talent. And to work for God is the ultimate here on earth and life after.  

How and when did you become born again

My husband led me to Christ in the year 1998 after he proposed to me. 

Is there any sin you are still struggling with even as a born again

There is no righteous person on earth, by His grace and mercy I'm still moving on. But everyday and every minute we keep praying for mercy, like in the day of John the Baptist, the Kingdom of God suffereth violence and the powerfull man and woman will take it by force. 

How would you distinguish your music from that of Sola Allison

I can't really say anything concerning tha, but you can ask that from the people who listen to music. What I can say is that I receive from God before I say anything out to people. And any of my album will go on with salvation song because that is the main reason I was called to sing Gospel Music. 

At what time did you realize you can minister in song

The bible says, you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. Immediately I was called to the Ministry of music, God imparted so many gifts into my life and even all eyes can see it. 

How and when did you come in contact with Pastor Ireti Ajanaku

I came in contact with Pastor Elijah Ireti Ajanaku in January 2001 in a programme I went to minister in Egbeda, Lagos. 

Can you describe the pastor in just one sentence

Prophet Elijah Ireti Ajanaku is a prophet of God, a father, a real man of God that speaks with God and hears from God directly. He has stood by me and my ministry for close to ten years now and anywhere any how I can boast of him. For me to continuously mention a man of God in all my albums for ten years now, you know what it means. Baba Ajanaku I give kudos to you sir. God will sustain you in Jesus name. 

What is the most outstanding work God has done in your life through him

I said God used him for my ministry and my home. I should have been a dead person by now during the time I wanted to give birth to my second child, but this prophet of God stood when other men of God ran away. I know what I am saying. And anyone that has a call to win soul for Christ needs a man of God to stand by him, and so many. 

Between Galaxy and Remdel, which one would you stake your money on 

I have tried to stay with Remdel for nine years, when I signed three years and now I am not ready to sign with anyone else. I want to eat out of the gift that the lord has giving to me. 

How have you been coping with your chosen career and your family

I bless the name of the Lord that He gave  my husband to me. We are into this ministry together and the work of God is going on fine. And my kids are in boarding school, they understand the ministry with me. 

How did you find your feet in the industry

What I know is I am not disappointed obeying his call to the ministry of music and He has shown that He is the one, who has sent me. All the people can testify to the work of God in My life and the ministry. People always like to know what I want to say in the next album. So God is Good. 

Can you tell us some of your major achievements

My  achievement is that there are so many souls that have given their lives to Christ through my ministry to the glory of God in my live ministrations and my albums. But for material things, God is doing it little by little. But I am happy for what he is doing in my life so far. 

Who are your role models

I don't have a mentor, but I have some people, whose music I love including Lakin Ladeebo, Evang. (Dr.) Bola Are, Demos Deniran, Marilyn Baker, Don Moen. 

How have you been coping with male fans

Everybody is my fan, but all of them are doing fine. They call to encourage me to move forward and not to look back. And I believe that they pray for me also. My husband is beside me and he makes things easier for me, we move around together. 

As at the time you were coming into the industry, what were the challenges

With my husband beside me, things were a little bit easier for me because he has been in music before I came in. So, he is the one making the run around on how to get the marketer and the promotion. God has made all the plans before I started the ministry and I appreciate it a lot. So, the challenges are not that much because I don't take the ministry as mine, but God’s. 

Could you tell us about your family

The name of my husband is Soji Alabi, I have 2 kids; Ayomiku Alabi and Deborah Alabi. I love my husband and kids so much. 

Nigeria is rated the third largest movie producing country yet we keep recycling artistes and stories, what do you think 

It’s not possible for those movie producers to go to the streets, picking up people. We have so many professionals on this field, so they will continue using there professionals in order to make name and integrity. So, about their stories, we have some producers that jumped into this industry without the knowledge of this work. I think this is the reason why things are like that. They want to make money where they should not, that is Nigeria for you. 

How many albums have you released

I have eight albums to my credit till date; Oore Ti o Common, Certificate, Agbara Olorun, Agbara Re Ni, Kokoro Igbala, Angeli Mi, Mori'Yanu, Amazing Grace, a live show. 

Did your last album live up to your expectation

I can count Mori'Yanu as my last album and I thank God for the work he has done in the lives of the people. And the work did very well in the market and the VCD is coming out very soon. 

Most young people who are born again Christians usually have life changing experiences that drew them towards God. What's yours

I have said a lot about my life and experiences with God after I received Him and accepted His offer to become a Gospel musician. Since I accepted Him, God has been so good to me, so it’s not possible for me to betray Him because He has done His part in my life and I am ready to be with Him till I meet Him in that Glorious Home. There is nothing in this world that is so special to separate someone from getting to heaven, because all we are seeing here on earth is vanity upon vanity, Heaven is the ultimate. 

April 10, 2010