I DON'T SEE ANYBODY AS A THREAT IN THE GOSPEL MUSIC INDUSTRY -Oluwatomike Olamidele (Mama)

The story of  this young, energetic and sweet voiced lady cannot be completely told without giving her due credit for her unequal vocal prowess. The sweetness of her voice will captivate any gospel lover.

Oluwatomike Oyetunji Olamide a.k.a Mama Africa’s gospel music is so sonorous to the ears that one could not but state it clearly that it is only a matter of time before she becomes an household name.

The beautiful lady recently opened up to us on her life, music and family.

Can we meet you

My name is Oluwatomike Oyetunji Olamidele, but my stage name is Mama

Why did you choose Mama as your stage name

Mama is also my name. It was given to me by my mother. She named me 'Mama' after my grandmother.

How has the name affected your music career

It has been fine and I am okay with it. It has been bringing positive things to me. People love the name.

When did you start your music career professionally

I started my professional music career in 2003, but I have been into music for a long time. I have been in different music groups, and I was also in the church choir for a long time.

What music groups

Yes, I was in groups like Echoes of Angels, Evangelical Voices, and many others.

Why did you choose to do gospel music

First of all, I was born into a Christian home and I have passion for music generally. I chose to do gospel music just to work for God and it has been very wonderful doing it. It is my passion. You cannot work for God and be a loser.

Should we be expecting you mixing secular music with gospel

Definitely not, so many people have told me how good my voice is and how I can thrive doing secular RnB music, but I trust my God to make way a for me to stay put in pure gospel music.

What other things do you do apart from music

For now, I don't do any other thing, but I do soundtracks for movies, and I do radio and television jingles.

Can you mention some of the jingles you have done in the past

I have done music jingle for V-mobile in the 'It's all about passion' campaign in 2005, I did a radio jingle for Lagos City Computer College. I also did a single entitled; 'God bless Nigeria' that was used as a montage on African Independent Television (AIT) for Nigeria's 45th Independence celebration.

Were these jobs big money projects for you or a passion jobs with no money involved

Mostly free job. When you are not yet known, you are given peanuts as fees for these kinds of jobs. But they added to my career profile which is more important for me.

How has the experience been

It has been good because it helped me to diversify into other aspects of music and stay focused as a gospel artiste.

How did you get those jobs

I got them through my music director, TJ International, who is now my husband.

Would you say he got you those jobs just to marry you

(laughs). No, he was the least person I thought I would get married to. We looked up to him as our music director and guardian.

Do you mean in the church

No, in a music group he introduced me to back then.

How many album you know now

I have two albums already.

When did you release the albums

I released my first album in December 2005, while the second album was released in March 2011.

But why did it take a stretch of six years before you release your second album after the first

Like you know, it is hard to do albums, especially in gospel music, but I thank God that he has been there for me.

Tell us a bit about your background

I was born in Lagos at Logos Maternity Hospital, now Lagos Island Medical Hospital. I had my primary and secondary schools in Agege, Lagos. I am planning to further my education.

How was growing up like

I had a very humble background, not that I had all what I wanted while growing up, but it was nice. My parents had five of us; three boys and two girls. I am the last child of the family.

Who do you look up to in the Nigerian gospel music industry

That is a very big question, but for now, I appreciate a lot of them. For a mentor, I am still looking up to God for that.

Why

I don't know them deeply enough. I don't know their backgrounds, stories and every other thing. So, it would be difficult for me to take anyone a mentor. But I appreciate and respect them because they are doing great jobs.

Who do you see as a threat to you in the industry

I don't see anybody as a threat because my style is different. My songs and voice stand me out.

What style of gospel music do you do

I do gospel RnB, but I also do others like Reggae, worship, and many others. As an artiste, you don't do one style of music.

Which big show have you performed at

I am still looking forward for that big show, but there is a yearly show we organize. The name of our music ministry is Mama's Music Ministry. The name of the show is Rhythms from above, which comes up yearly. We would be having this year's edition on August 18, 2012.

What should people be looking out for from you

We are coming out with new singles, especially for our Independence celebration. I also have passion for fashion. People should be expecting something from me in that area.

If you were not doing music, what else would you have been doing

I would have been doing catering or fashion business.

When are you releasing your next album

For now, we are working on videos of songs from my last album titled; Everlasting. We have two videos already, which were from my old songs. We are shooting the title track of my album, 'Everlasting' very soon.

What makes you different from other gospel artistes

I will say my style differentiates me from others. My songs' messages or lyrics sink into people, it ministers to them specially.

Who do you think in the Nigerian gospel scene does a similar thing with you

For now, I cannot say. There are lots of people who do gospel RnB, but none doing my style.

How do you compose your songs

I compose songs through God's grace. My husband is also a composer and producer. He produces all my songs. We both contribute to song's composition.

How do you get inspirations to write songs

I get inspirations from God and the Bible.

How have you been able to maintain your sweet voice

It has not been easy, but it has been by the grace of God. But I try to take every precaution to maintain a good voice. My husband has been very helpful in that aspect.

How did you compose the track, Ohun Oju o ti'ri

It was by the inspiration of God. The chorus was composed by my husband before we met each other. We did the body of the song together after we met. The song is a prayer song.

How has the response to that song been from people

People really love that song. We are surprised about it, especially those on Lagos Island. My album is a combination of all styles of songs.

If there is one thing you would love God to change about you, what would that be

I would want God to caution my habit of  having passion for people. I am just easily moved to have passion for people. In life, some people you easily do something for can go at your back to come against you. I am just too free with people; I would like to harden my heart sometimes.

What is your advice for up and coming artistes like you

I will advise them to be very humble. There is nothing you can gain with pride. The Bible says pride goeth before destruction. They should set their own standard. The Bible is there as a guide. Their songs should convey messages and not rhythm and beats.

June 18, 2012