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‘If I had a choice, I wouldn’t be singing’ – Benita Okojie

BENITA Okojie started singing gospel music at 10 and she has since not looked back.  Her debut album, Osemudiame was a hit and since then she has been making hit pieces and smiling to the bank.  A graduate of English from Redeemers University, Ogun State, spoke to ENCOMIUM Weekly on her music, pet project and sundry issues.

 

What’s been happening to your musical career?

By the grace of God, we have been moving from one level to the other.  The new album is doing very well.  It won an award late last year at Nigeria Music Video Awards (NMVA) 2009.  We have just one video

Benita Okojie
Benita Okojie

which is entitled We Ose, the Edo track, so we are working on other videos of that album and we are trying to promote it and its doing very well.

What’s the title of the album?

Dream come true.

Why did you go into singing?

If I had a choice, I don’t think I would be singing.  I have a flair for broadcasting more than singing.  My parents thought I had a good voice, I loved singing but never thought I would make a career out of it.  My dad helped in producing my first album that was how I came into limelight.  Since I was making all the money so I decided to continue.

When did you discover the gift of singing?

I don’t know.  I think I was born into a singing family.  My mum sings, my dad sings in the bathroom and everyone in my family sings.  But as I grew older, I began to realize that I actually loved singing.

At what age did you discover you love singing?

No particular age.

What would you say you have gained in music?

I have gained experience. I started without experience and I didn’t think I was going to survive in the music industry. But somehow, as I got older, I began to gain experience from the places I went to. Over the years, music has helped me to understudy people.

Are you in a relationship?

I am a very private person, I like to keep my private life.

What are the qualities you desire in a guy?

Like I said, I am a private person so, my qualities would be private.

When are you getting married?

I’ll get married when God says it’s the right time.

When was your first kiss?

That’s a very private question.

Have you suffered any heartbreak?

No.

How old are you?

22 years.

Are you working on an album?

We are working on singles but we have not gone to the studio.  We are working on something else, like a pet project, until that is done I can start thinking of an album.

What’s your academic background?

I now have a B.A in English Language from Redeemers University.  I went to Starfield Nursery and Primary School, Starfield Private College and I later went to Cayley College.

At what age did you start singing?

I started professionally at 10.

Why did you put a pause to your singing?

I stopped singing for a while because I wanted to get my priority right and to develop a deeper relationship with God.  I also wanted to define my style of music as a matured singer.

What is the source of inspiration for your songs?

God is my inspiration because I am a gospel musician so, I get to write songs based on the inspiration from God.  I also try to do a fusion of true life stories, real life experiences that I have had in my 10 to 12 years in the music industry.  Also, the things I see around me everyday, like nature, people and stories I hear.

What should your fans be expecting from you?

There is a pet project we are working on and it promises to be a lot of fun.  Trust me, a lot of people would love it.  I really don’t want to let the cat out of the bag until it is out.

Can you tell us about the pet project?

I can’t say anything.  Just wait until I am ready to let it out to the public and it would be pretty soon. It is about preferential treatment in school.

Were you treated as a budding star in school?

Yes, to an extent but I had a normal life. I just had it difficult with students.  It was a learning experience.

 – THE INTERVIEW WAS FIRST PUBLISHED IN ENCOMIUM WEEKLY ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 10, 2010

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