Many men run after me —Kenny Ologoara

Gospel singer, Kehinde Adebola, otherwise known as Kenny Ologoara, has a unique brand that has made her the toast of the gospel music industry. In this interview with SEYI SOKOYA, she speaks on her passion for the sax and what led to her annual music concert tagged: “Praise Exploit”, which holds today.

 

How have you been able to carve a niche for yourself in the gospel music industry as a saxophonist?

I thank God for everything. My status in the industry is beyond what I can explain. I have always been concerned about how to impact lives positively through the gospel. God has rewarded me by raising my standard and creating a platform for me in the industry. I started as a baby gospel singer, but with a vision; even though it was obvious that I was not accepted and marketable, I have become a known name. I would say that the game changed at God’s appointed time. God gave me a unique brand and this has really been working for me. Being a saxophonist is a gift from God. Though, I am not there yet, I still have a lot to deliver. I want to infuse both foreign and traditional styles into my music. I want people to realise that we can praise God without ignoring our cultural values. We can blend the foreign and local instruments together to praise God. I want my fans to be on the lookout for more unique styles of music that will lift peoples souls and set the captives free. Also, plans to include an additional local instrument to my sax are in the pipeline. This development also boils down to the fact that I like to challenge men. It is not as if I am contending with anyone, but I always task myself on what the men do. However, I feel delighted that I am not doing all these for pleasure, but to exalt God.

 

Why sax?

My love for sax is divine. Though, this is not the only musical instrument I play, I also play the piano and I have added another instrument, as I said earlier. Saxophone is my first love, while music is the second. I play all kinds of sax and this has given me an edge in the gospel music industry.

 

Your headgear seems to be one of your trademarks. What brought it about?

Yes, my headgear is one of the major factors that distinguishes my brand. It is simple and stylish. I love everything about myself, especially my headgear. The secret behind it is that I have become used to it right from childhood. I was made to understand that our mother used to tie it for my twin sister and I when we were young. Unconsciously, it became my usual way of tying it when I became an adult.

 

How has it been since you ventured into gospel music?

It has been God’s grace. This is my 13th year in music. In fact, I never knew I would find myself here. It is not that I am better than others who were there before me or because I studied music, but Grace found me and I am still working under the unction of that grace. I have refused to compare myself with anybody because I am not in the game to compete with anyone. My vision has always been to do the will of God, while other things will follow. The secret is that those that are called will always receive God’s backing. Aside several prophesies that revealed that music is my calling, I also discovered my passion for music at age six. I was also a leader of a cultural group during my primary and secondary school days and in the tertiary institution.

 

Was that why you studied music in the university?

I was born and bred in Kainji, in Niger State; I even had both my primary and secondary education there too, but my parents wanted us (the children) to have a feel of the Yoruba culture. So we were brought to the west, Ibadan precisely,  and when it was time for me to further my education in the higher institution, my father wanted me to study Law, but I ended up in studying Business Administration at The Polytechnic Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State. But at the end of the day, I started all over as a music student in the same polytechnic. My zeal not to lag behind my peers also spurred me to further my education in the university where I also had B. A in Music at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State. Why I said my music life is by grace is that I never inherited music; none of my family members is a musician. It is just by divine grace. In fact, my twin sister is an architect and my other siblings are successful in their own chosen careers.

 

Do you think Gospel Music Association of Nigeria (GOMAN) is doing enough to help gospel artistes grow?

I think the association is trying hard to lift gospel artistes. The new executive, led by the president, Evangelist Funmi Aragabye, has also promised to move the association forward as well as look inwards to promote the industry in order to give the up-and-coming the opportunity to be heard. I am proud to be an active member and I also want to be part of the movement in transforming the association.

 

What are your greatest challenges so far?

You know the devil will always wander around God’s project. I have gone through lots of challenges and temptations, but I have decided to hold on to my covenant with God. I have faced a lot of problems as a woman, musician and saxophonist. You know some men love flashy things; many men want to have me, but I have been able to handle them with divine wisdom. Another challenge is that of the marketers; a lot of musicians have also facing these problems. I could remember that I once trekked from Idumota in Lagos to Berger, because I didn’t have enough money for transportation to Ibadan and I also trekked from Sango to my residence when I was still struggling to have a marketer. I personally hawked my works. Above all, I thank God that the story has changed for good today and I trust God that I am still going places. Also, my greatest challenge in life was when I almost lost my life during child birth four years ago. I thank God that I was restored through divine intervention. After then, a revelation came to me that I should organise a praise concert to thank God for the gift of life. This was what gave birth to my annual concert tagged: “Praise Exploit”. Since then, I have always marked the day by thanking God specially and celebrating with the underprivileged.

 

How many albums do you have to your credit?

I have four albums already and the 5th, entitled; “His Majesty” will be launched today as part of the activities marking the annual music concert. I thank God for my life, I remembered vividly that I was ridiculed and thought to be a prostitute because of my complexion. But to the glory of God, I received an award as the only ‘Female Performing Artiste’ from OAU.

 

How have you been able to combine your career and home without any hitch?

I have been able to manage the two through my family and God’s backing. I thank God for getting married to a supportive husband, who has become a friend. He is very active and plays a major role in ensuring I have a stress-free career.