Yetunde is a daughter to veteran gospel singer, Bola Are. She talks about her mother’s career with MOTUNRAYO JOEL.
Tell us more about yourself.
I am an artiste. I have released some albums. I studied Business Administration at the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State.
Why are you following in your mother’s footsteps?
Music has always been my passion. However, at the initial stage of my career, my mother did not want me to pursue music. I think she feared that I might encounter the same challenges she faced.
What challenges did she face?
While growing up, I remember she used to talk about different challenges she faced before she got to where she is now career-wise. I still remember her telling me about how she went to perform somewhere and it rained heavily that day. She narrated how flood washed away her musical instruments. She said it was a terrible experience and she and her band members were helpless that day.
There were also times she travelled for hours with her band members to perform at events. After a particular show, she was not appreciated with any honorarium. Back then, she said whenever she felt low in spirit; God would always use someone or something to encourage her. She also told me that a stranger (a Muslim) visited her at home one day and gave her a bundle of Ankara; the man claimed to be her fan. She was really surprised because he was a Muslim. When she opened the material, she found some money in it. She said when she went outside to look for him in order to thank him, he had gone. The experience is one of the ways God has strengthened her and kept her going.
Didn’t she influence her children’s career choices?
I would say yes and no. At some point, she did not want me to pursue music as a profession. She wanted me to carry on with the course I studied in the university. I think after she realised that music is my passion and that it’s God’s will for me to pursue music as a career, she surrendered to God.
My immediate brother in the United Kingdom also sings. We are fully into music, though he does other things. My mother personally inaugurated our music ministries and prayed for us.
For how long have you been an artiste?
I have been in the profession for 24 years.
How long has your mother been in the industry?
She marked her 44th years on stage recently.
How was the experience growing up with a famous singer like Bola Are?
It has been good; she is a disciplinarian. I believe her strict nature made me who I am. I consider her my role model and mentor. She is a wonderful mother. I could not have asked for a better mother.
Has your mother’s name opened doors?
Yes, it has. Wherever I go, once people hear my surname, they are always curious to know if it is of the same ‘Bola Are.’ Once I tell them that I’m the daughter of Bola Are, they welcome me with open arms. I then get preferential treatment. This happens at home and abroad. I’m glad to say that my mother has a huge fan base all over the world.
How did she discipline any child who erred?
My family has its religious foundation in the Christ Apostolic Church; one can then imagine how my mother disciplined us (smiles). Right from our childhood, we had a family altar. At a certain time, she would wake us up to pray. Whoever refused to get up from bed was greeted with a few strokes of the cane. She did not tolerate indiscipline; she ensured each of us had a solid background. She used the cane on us when necessary.
Describe your mother’s attitude to work.
I would describe her as a workaholic; she does not tolerate laziness. My mother is a revivalist and a prophetess.
Does she engage in any sports?
I do not think so; probably she did that during her childhood days.
What are her likes and dislikes?
She dislikes dishonest and cunning people. She appreciates people who are loyal and keep to their words. Once she notices that a person is exhibiting a cunning character, she distances herself from the person.
When did she experience her saddest moment?
My mother has been through a lot. There were occasions that weakened her emotionally. I can’t begin to mention them. I am glad she is hearty.
What makes her happy?
Singing makes her happy. Also, she derives pleasure in listening to good gospel songs. Whenever a gospel artiste is singing and the lyrics of the song touch her heart, she gets happy.
At what age did she start to sing?
She told me that she had not turned a year when she began to sing. My mother, I believe, was born to sing. I do not think she enjoys any other thing than singing. I still remember her saying she was her mother’s first child and dedicated to Apostle Ayo Babalola.
A message was long given to my grandparents that they would have a child that must serve God. Being a girl, they doubted the prophecy but (the late) Apostle Babalola told my grandparents that when God chooses a king, he would surely ascend the throne. At a year old, she began to mime songs. At two years old, she began to say a few words at a time.
Does she enjoy movies?
Not really, but she enjoys watching Cable News Network.
Does she always listen to her own songs?
Yes, she listens to her songs; in fact, she always dances to her songs. Growing up, I remember how she would carry a recorder wherever she went. I have seen different sizes of her recorders.
What inspired her first album, Baba ku ise?
The album was released in August, 1977. It was not like what we have today where someone takes clips from various works of musicians and put them together. She explained that on June 26, 1973, she was walking with Tewogbade and Sons in the Felele area of Ibadan, Oyo State, from Agbokojo through a narrow footpath around the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s house in Oke-Bola, when she got the inspiration.
She stopped as the Holy Spirit ministered to her. God wanted her to sing. The inspiration came several times while people passed by her. She eventually produced the album, which gave her the opportunity to travel to many countries. She has over 70 albums to date.
Which other artiste does she listen to?
She is a mother to other gospel artistes. She listens to many gospel songs. Despite the level she has attained, she does not belittle any artiste. She has a big heart for everyone.
How does she think artistes can win the war against piracy?
She says only God can stop perpetrators of the crime. Pirates are the ones taking what should come to musicians. If you catch them today, they will use another method tomorrow.
What are her weaknesses?
I do not know but I think she has turned her weaknesses into strong points. She is versatile. I call her Margaret Thatcher. She is involved in so many things.
How does she handle criticisms?
I believe it depends on her mood. Sometimes, she voices out her opinion, other times, she keeps quiet. She does not let anything disturb her mood. She says everyone is entitled to his or her opinion.
If she could change some things about herself, what would they be?
My mother is extremely happy with her career and the name she has made for herself. Every day, she strives to achieve more for herself and be a blessing to more people.
Your mother has a good number of hit songs. Where does she get her inspiration from?
She gets inspiration from the word of God. She is a Bible scholar; my mother does not joke with her Bible.
Who are her mentors?
Her mentors are (the late) Apostle Ayo Babalola; Samuel Oladeji popularly called Baba Abiye at Ede, Osun State. These people groomed her. The late evangelist Timothy Obadare was like a father to me. These people trained her.
Some Nigerians describe your mother as rich. What is your view on this?
She is rich in music but I would not say she is rich financially. However, God has been her source of sustenance. She is rich in many areas; acquiring wealth is not her life’s goal.
What does she say about the type of music in Nigeria today?
Sometimes she speaks against the type of music being produced in Nigeria today especially non-gospel songs. She says in her youthful days, the type of music produced was good and fit to sing. Generally, she supports pure gospel music.
What are her hobbies?
She likes singing and watching CNN though I may not count it as her hobby. But to be honest, CNN is basically the only station she watches. She also enjoys farming.
If she wasn’t a musician, what would she have become?
She probably would have become a business tycoon. My mother is hard-working; I do not think I have met anyone who is as hard-working as my mother.
Your mother has a busy schedule. How does she spend time with her family?
You are right, my mother is always busy. She has so many projects she is doing. She does not really take us out to eat. I think when she is less busy, she stays at home to gist with her children.
Does she still cook for her family?
Yes, she still cooks her own meals till date. My mother enjoys cooking and makes delicious meals too.
Why did she choose not to remarry?
I believe her reason is best known to her. I know she is comfortable with her life. She does not want to start life all over again. She decided to pursue her career and put everything into it.
What is your advice to gospel artistes who sing praises of people?
The same advice she (mother) gave before. The only difference is that they should first ask themselves why they are in the industry. Is it to feed themselves or propagate the ministry of God? True gospel artistes should sing praises of God only and not of anyone because it is God that called them, not man. Anyone who sings people’s praises to make money should know that he or she is not of God but of man. We are in the world and not of the world.
