Currrently rocking the airwaves and cyberspace is Beremole, the debut effort of UK-based artiste, Adeola Ososami. An undergraduate of Dentistry, the artiste who goes by the stage name Deola, says that the inspiration for her sound is a fusion of genres and a range of artistes, including Asa, Corine Bailey Rae, Erykah Badu and the Kutis. Her sojourn in the world of music started at an early age as a member of he church choir and music vocal groups. She also attended the prestigious Tech Music School, graduating with a certificate in popular music performance. In this interview with OVWE MEDEME, she talks about the song Beremole and her upcoming mixtape among other issues.
HOW did you get into music? Music has really been in my life since I was younger. My earliest memory was probably when I was 10, when I was doing some singing in church and little bits of performances. Since then, I have really loved music. That was when it came into my life really.
Your single, Beremole, is currently on air. What is the concept behind the song?
Beremole is just a fun song, and it is coming from the point of view of a confident girl. When she is out, she sees a guy and they both like each other and the girl decides that she will be the one to make the first move. That is where the song comes from.
How would you describe your style of music?
My style of music is afro hip hop with a tint of soul. So I have a range of fast songs like Beremole. Also, I have done some slower songs as well, which springs out more of the jazz style in my voice.
Considering where you are based, are you looking more at grabbing your UK audience or the Nigerian audience?
I think it is a mixture of both. Obviously, there are lots of Nigerians in the UK and all over the world. My songs are designed to grab anyone’s attention.
What stage are you with your first album?
So far, there is not an album. What I am working on is a mixtape. It is like a mini kind of album, and it will just have a selection of songs showcasing what Deola is, my kind of music. I am working on that at the moment. So hopefully, you should be hearing a few more new songs from me in the near future.
What issues are you addressing in the mix tape?
With my songs, I intend to address a variety of issues. I have love songs in the mixtape; I also have some kind of inspirational songs as well. It is a variety of topics. But it is all based around people having more confidence in themselves.
How many songs are we to expect in the mixtape?
That is still in the works. I can’t give you any numbers, but definitely, there will be enough for people to get a good feeling of what I am about.
How much of your culture is still in you?
It is hard to run away from culture. Most of my family always did come all the time from Nigeria to visit us in the UK. And most of my friends are Nigerians. You can’t really take the culture away. It is within me. It is not something one can lose, so the Nigerian culture is still a big part of me.
How much of it reflects in your music?
Definitely, the music always has the afrobeat style. I think one of the things that make me unique is that I try to mix different styles of music. But I give it that afrobeat edge. All my songs will definitely have that afrobeat edge and style to it. I like to sing in a mixture of English and Yoruba most of the time. But once in a while, there might be a song that is fully English. Definitely, I am trying to give a nice blend with the languages as well.
Do you speak Yoruba?
I am not great at speaking the language. I understand it perfectly well, but because I live here and my accent sometimes is not perfect. But definitely, I am developing that.
What record label are you working with right now?
I am signed on an independent label called Lunakidz Music, based here in the UK. But they are also looking to expand. They are already building some collaboration with some Nigerian artistes as well. It is an upcoming label.
What drew you to Lunakidz?
I know quite a few of the people on the label. We have developed a friendship over a long time. We used to work on music together a few years ago. From there, it just evolved and they have taken me under their wings. So yes, it stems from friendship and our love for music together.
Are you collaborating with any Nigerian artiste?
You will have to wait on that. I don’t want to say anything yet. But definitely, watch out for that. Soon, you will be seeing some collaborations in the near future.
A number of Nigerian artistes started abroad before coming home to ply their trade. Do you see yourself toeing that line?
That is something that could possibly happen in the future. But definitely, I will be coming back to Nigeria quite a few times from the UK to work on my music a bit more and improve on that.
You are currently studying dentistry. How do you relate that with music?
Like I said, from a young age, I have always loved music and I have always known that music would be a part of my life in some way. It wasn’t always clear to me how. But over the last few years, that has formed the basis of the conclusions for me. I love my studies, but music is really my passion.
How receptive are your parents to your career, given the fact that music is a far cry from your field of study?
My parents are very supportive. They have always been encouraging of me doing music from a young age. They are very supportive. Obviously, they want me to finish my, and I am definitely going to finish it. Then I would be able to focus more on the music.
What level are you?
I am almost through with my studies. I have got one more year after this to round off my studies.
How much enthusiasm do people over there show towards your music?,
People are very receptive to new styles and new ways of expressing creativity, especially through music. Over here, people are receptive to afrobeat style of music, so I would say it has been good. It is very encouraging to see what the likes of D’banj and Wizkid are doing over here. They are paving the way for afrobeat right now. Definitely, it is looking to expand in the next few years.
What song are you working on at the moment?
Like I said, I am working on my mixtape. I should also be releasing another song within the next few weeks; if not by the end of the year, then definitely at the start of next year. I am working on that at the moment. So watch out for it.
What kind of person is Deola?
Deola is quite a fun person, and a serious person as well. I am a hard worker and I love to write all my songs. I like to have fun as well. I am a fun person.
How many siblings do you have?
I have just one brother.
How would you describe growing up in the UK?
Growing up in the UK is good. The UK is mixed with different sorts of people. So it is good to meet all sorts of people. Growing up in the UK was fun.
Do you miss home?
Definitely I do miss home.
Will there come a time when you will relocate fully back to Nigeria?
Let us see what the future holds.
How is school coming up?
It is coming up fine
How does your decision to do music interfere with your grades?
It is all about balancing. At the moment, things are balanced very nicely. I have time to work on the music. I also have time to work on my studies as well.
Were you born in the UK?
I was born in Nigeria. I lived there till I was seven and I have been in the UK since then. I have lived most of my life over here.
