With the release of his 54-track dance medley titled Jehovah Overdo, Solo announces his preparedness to take on the world of gospel music, not only the Isoko kingdoms but a larger audience, comprising of other tribes as he has infused more languages to his music for wider appeal.
In a recent encounter with WG Solo lets us into his music, his personal life and the reason behind his music.
Excerpts:By JULIET EBIRIM
Can you briefly introduce yourself? My name is Evangelist Solomon Ogagaoghene Urete. I’m from Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State. I’m a music artiste.What kind of music do you do? I do the gospel Niger-Delta kind of music called the Ebio music. The word Ebio is dance, so Ebio music means dancing. We, the Niger- Deltans dance a lot.
How and when did you start music? I started music professionally in 1995. We started as evangelists, preaching the ‘word’ from one village to the other. I sang in the choir too. Then I started going to the studio, but it wasn’t working, but I kept trying, till I did Jehovah Overdo. Actually, I have done 12 albums. Jehovah Overdo is the 13th album. A lot of people told me to quit when things were not working, but because I know the God I serve, I kept trying.
What are some of those challenges you encountered in the course of your journey? One major challenge is finance. When you are doing something and it’s not working, nobody appreciates you. They say ‘Failure is an orphan’. Inadequate finance is not an excuse for failure though, as long as the vision is there, one day, you’ll definitely make it.
Why did you choose the Ebio kind of music? I want to be myself. I’m from Delta, I can’t be an Igbo,Yoruba or a White man. So, I choose to be myself, because I know the beginning and end of this music. If it is well packaged, it will be well appreciated. I discovered that a lot of people like this kind of music, but they sing it wrongly, mixing up the dialects and confusing the message of the song and even end up abusing themselves inadvertently. So, I decided to make it right for the lovers of the music and that’s basically why I chose to do this kind of music.
Why not secular music? I can’t do secular music. I’ve been serving God since my childhood. I know the Bible, it’s the beginning of every song. I can compose songs when I l look at the Bible. All my songs are from the Bible.
What inspires you? The word of God. All the Psalms of David are songs. If you read the Bible well, it’s very inspiring. There is so much to learn from the Bible and most of my songs are derived from the Bible, the teachings, the words of God and even experiences therein.Secondly, I listen to people a lot and I’m also inspired by life experiences.
Why did you choose music? When you have a talent, you’ll just enjoy doing it even if it doesn’t pay. I started by singing in church. It’s not as if I went to a competition or that someone discovered me, I just found myself singing in church. I never knew I’ll end up being a musician.On your album, you said ‘Sing and dance till something happens’.
Do you expect people to experience miracles while dancing to your songs? This music has blessed thousands of people. When you listen to it, you hear the word of God accompanied by instruments and it inspires you. I’ve had testimonies from a lot of people who listened to the music while encountering one form of challenge or the other and the burden was lifted.Many homes have also been united through this music. By listening to my music and dancing to it, something is bound to happen in your life as they contain nothing but words of God which heals. Yes, miracles happen by listening and dancing to my music.
What gives you the greatest joy about what you do? I’m overjoyed when I get testimonies from people about my music. It’s not about the money, but the impact my music has on people’s lives. I know the money will come, but my greatest joy is that people love the music and it has a positive impact on them.
Is that what has kept you despite the challenges? Yes and I’m doing the work of God and I can’t quit. I know that gradually the money will come.
Don’t you do shows? I do, it’s my job, but I don’t put money first.
But you get paid for shows? Of course, I get paid, but I don’t go after money. I have to eat, so I must be given some amount of money, but that’s not my top priority.
What distinguishes you from other Niger Delta gospel artistes like Sammy Okposo, Asu Ekiye and others? They are my seniors in the industry. I do core native African songs, I go to the roots. I’ve played with them on stages in the past, but we are yet to do any studio production together. But if God permits, we might do that one day.
What project are you working on currently I just came out with Jehovah Overdo Part 2. I’m currently working towards making the video. Jehovah Overdo has to do with the exceeding favour and grace of God. His word says that he’s able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all that we ask or think. A lot of people never thought they would have achieved the level of success they have achieved, but God did it for them. He gives you more than you ever imagined.What was the title of your first album? When I started singing initially, I was doing core Isoko songs before I diversified. The title of my first album is Oyolemeno, which means ‘He has answered my prayers’. I sing songs of hope and faith.
Are you married? I am happily married with four kids – two boys and two girls. My wife is Mrs.Caroline Urete.
Who are those you look up to in the music industry? I want to be like Asu Ekiye, but I have a mentor, a man that has really trained me. Most people think I’m based in Delta State because I’m usually involved in all his work. He is Evangelist Emmanuel Ofano, he is my mentor. Even though I want to be like Jesus, physically I would like to be like that man. He is a father to me and I learnt a lot from him.
Gospel music is always a blessing especially to those who are in spirit
ReplyDeleteThere is blessings in praising the Lord, keep dancing in his presence.
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