Busola Oke, popularly known as Busola Eleyele, is into gospel music – and she has already made a name for herself in that sector, especially in the South West. YES INTERNATIONAL! Magazine’s TOKUNBO IBIKUNLE encountered her recently and they spoke on some pertinent issues…
What makes good music?
Real talent and creativity. Recording a good music, you also need raw talent, and you need to study music because music has its own laws.
Who is a good musician?
A good musician is the person that has a vision; the person also must be talented.
What do you like about what you are doing – music?
I love everything about music. The best part is when your fans say they love your music. The fact that your fans tell you that we are enjoying your music, it makes me happy. It boosts my morale, and then you feel like doing more.
What don’t you like about music?
What I don’t like about music is the way people criticize musicians, the way they see artistes as nonentities or prostitutes; people of low class or opportunists. They don’t give artistes respect, like they do to lawyers, doctors and other professionals.
Can you tell us the nicest thing you have heard about you from your fans?
I’ve heard so many nice things about me, but there is this one (Laughs). Very funny. There’s this woman; she said I should come and teach her the tactics and my style; she said I should also teach her the charm that I am using to make people love me and my music so much; that her husband is crazy about my music and she doesn’t understand what is going on; that her husband is in love with me badly (General laughter). She says whatever we are doing, I should keep it up because everything is working for me and also that she’s noticed that a lot of people like my music. She hugged me and I said thank you ma. So, I was so excited. I was so fulfilled. I really thank God for everything.
What is the worst thing you have heard about yourself?
I have heard so many bad things people say about me. You know, when it comes to female artistes, people believe we are prostitutes and they don’t have husbands, they don’t get married on time; even when they get married, they jump from one place to another, or their marriages don’t last. And most of them are not focused. A lot of horrible things we used to hear on the street. I always feel bad whenever I hear all these rubbish rumours. It’s really painful, very very painful.
Talking about marriage, you have been in marriage for nine year now, can you tell us the secret?
A lot of things happen in marriage, but I will say God first. It’s the will of God that makes marriages work. I will advice that people should get married for the right reason, not for marrying sake. I mean, some people get married because they see all their mates or colleagues getting married. You see, after God, I think the next thing is love and it should be natural. It’s not easy, it’s by God’s grace. The rate of broken homes here and there is massive. I read about broken home stories in magazines and I pray for people. God will help us, especially we ladies. But the thing happens everywhere. I mean, all over the world. I pray that God will take control, but successful marriage is about perseverance.
From your little experience in marriage, what advise do you have for newly wedded people, and also those that want to get married?
Like I said before, they should put God first; then love also. They should be focused and both sides should determine to make the marriage work. Prayer is a necessity in marriage. They should have God’s fear in their hearts because if both of them have God’s fear in their hearts, they will not hurt each other. They should understand each other very well. Perseverance is very important. They should take things easy, they should not allow intruders or outsiders to come in-between them, so that they would not be a subject of discussion on the street.
You are a married woman, a mother and you are still doing your music, fashion and so on. Where do you get the strength from?
God has kept me strong. No. 1 is determination. I mean, I have a strong determination to stay in this industry, come rain, come sun. I always pray to God to help me maintain my stardom so that I will not fall by the road side. And I know that God will help me and too, my talent, creativity. God will continue to do the best for me. I pray I will continue to remain here and to be relevant in the society.
Can you tell us the best thing music has done for you?
Music has given me a lot of strength; so much strength and the ability to do so many things. It makes me to be courageous. I don’t wanna say some of the things God has done for me through music because of you journalists. I don’t want you to cast a powerful headline for me (General laughter). I mean, with music, I am fulfilled.
What are the things music has not done for you?
I might be making so much money from other trades, but I am still hoping to get a lot from music. As you know, piracy is not helping. I think there is still plenty time to make money from music, so I still thank God that things are going well for me.
For you, what is the definition of success?
Success is simply total fulfillment in every aspect of life. Success also means that everything that you plan for, works for you. I mean, when you set a goal and you are able to reach it; it’s success. You might have a Range Rover, big houses and you might not be fulfilled. That is just a stepping stone to success. Success is when you are fulfilled. Like Dangote or Adenuga are successful men. If they are acquiring more things, it’s a different thing. They are already succeeding in their various jobs.
Some people attain success, but they find it difficult to sustain it. Where do you think this problem comes from?
I think most of them need deliverance. I mean, they need prayers. I think such people need deliverance. He or she should be delivered because opportunity comes once. So, if you lose it, it might not come back again. There is a quote that says when opportunity is lost, it can’t be regained. But some people are very lucky to bounce back. That is second chance. While some of them lose it forever. I think some of the cases are spiritual, so they need prayers.
What is Eleyele up to now, what’s new with you?
I just came out with a new album titled Emi Mimo, meaning Holy Spirit and I am shooting the video of that album. I have a track that is hip hop in it. I featured LKT, and a new artiste on my record label. His name is 97 Dude.
What is the name of your label?
The name of my record label is Royal Water Records. So, Emi Mimo is out now, go and get your copy and we are shooting the video right now.
God has been nice to you, what more do you want from Him?
I think God knows all what I’m still lacking. I think God knows me very well, He knows my name, my needs and everything because the Bible says God is a rewarder of those that diligently seek Him.