Sola Allyson: I put a lot of hard work into whatever I embark on | The Guardian Nigeria News

Sola Allyson-Obaniyi, popularly known as Sola Allyson, is a soul, folk, gospel singer and songwriter. She came into limelight with the hit album, Eji Owuro, in 2003, which was the soundtrack album for a film of the same title. A voice coach and counsellor, Allyson was born in Ikorodu, Lagos State in the early 1970s, she holds a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Music Technology, from The Polytechnic, Ibadan. Her popular songs include: Eji Owuro, Obinrin Ni Mi, Aseye and Isinmi, she also makes music covers for Nigerian movies. In this interview with IJEOMA THOMAS-ODIA, she shares her sojourn in the music industry these past 20 years.

How did your journey begin?
I WAS tired of just doing the same thing; singing over and over again. I knew that I could act, so, I met a guy. I went to their office; I’m sure you must have heard the story before. So, 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 began.

20 years since the release of your debut song, Eji Owuro, what did you do differently that made the record relevant till this moment?
I think the best word to use will be that I put a lot of hard work into whatever I embark on, because I am a thorough worker who identify with the ideology that no matter how small a work or project is, I will do it well, that is why the song is an evergreen classic still played at weddings and parties.

So, what is 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’m a woman, a mother and a wife.

There is this misconception as to where you belong as an artist; are you a gospel singer or a secular artist?
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 before now, there was no sound like mine. Before I came into the industry, you are either a gospel or secular artist but for me I am a Christian, but 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 admonished us to do spiritual songs with human perspective. My own purpose is to share the knowledge of Gods’ light whether it is through gospel or secular songs. It is evident, 20 years after I am still standing strong.

Your kind of music are big on culture, are there plans to diversify into film making in years to come?
Over the years, I have done some small movie projects; I will not be a part of a job that required opening of cleavage and what not 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 that 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 at a place where I still evolve.

There have been cases of bullying in the creative space; 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 wilder the storm matter. 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. For the last years, I had some challenges but I used it to challenge myself.

How have you been able to stay relevant over these years?
Being human, pure and simple and as I’ve mentioned before, pouring my soul into my songs. Showing my vulnerability to my world, using my failures and my victories, revealing my scars from my mistakes, telling my story that I can and choose to tell per time, as true as possible, baring the state of my heart. Everyone can identify, because we all have these experiences. Maybe not 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 things – hope, happiness, joy. As people in this my kind of business, the way to go is just to be pure and simple. 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 vocal is unique, are there some specific things you do to maintain your vocal texture?
It’s just my natural voice that sounds like that. And I’m grateful.

You are stylish, what does fashion means to you?
Fashion means comfort and more importantly, I dress the way I want to be addressed.

If you were not doing music, what will you have become?
Most likely, a lecturer.