.........As he speaks on his Career and 18 years on stages.
Evangelist Kolawole Akinyemi, fondly called 'Arole Baba Ara', was born 40 years ago in Lagos State. He however grew up in Port Novo, Benin Republic, before returning to Lagos. Evangelist Akinyemi started out as a singer at a tender age in the Celestial Church of Christ (CCC). Today, this highly talented singer and composer has become a household name in the gospel music circle in the state. In this interview with Eventdiarylifestyle, he spoke about his life, his career and relationship with late gospel music icon, Roland Baba Ara.
Enjoy!
Thank you. I am Kolawole Akinyemi, fondly called, 'Arole Baba Ara'. I was born in Lagos, but I am a native of Port Novo. My parents are from Port Novo in Benin Republic, but they live in the Amukoko area of Lagos State. I was born in Lagos, like I said. I am from the Yoruba speaking part of Benin Republic, and that is why I bear a Yoruba name and surname. I had my primary education in Port Novo. I attended Oniwaya High School, Dopemu, Lagos State, for secondary education. I am a graduate of Theatre Arts from the premier university, the University of Ibadan (UI). I am into Music.
How did music start for you?
I started my music career as a choir member, in my church in Dopemu Agege, in 1990. Everyone knows that Celestial Church do have ‘Juventa Harvest’. My friends back then had their way to the rehearsal ground with the choir, I used to see them in the choir, and each time, I would wish I join them, but I didn’t know how they were been doing it, and this went on for years. However, that particular year, I was invited during the juvenile festival, and I noticed that after the rehearsals, I would practice on my own, and I would always add one or two lines to it. So something happened. At the time, the man leading us was getting old, and he needed someone to replace him for that year, and somehow I was nominated. Initially, I was reluctant to accept it, but the man gave me a push to lead the choir that year, and that was how I started singing till date.
Arole Baba Ara… how did you come about that name?
After God discovered me and used me in the church in Dopemu, I moved to my father’s church in Sango Otta, Ogun State. Then I had my own band, ‘Prince Kole Akins and his Juju Melody Band’. I was playing Juju then, though I sang gospel in church, but I am a Juju musician. So that particular year, the late Baba Ara was invited to one of the parishes, though my father’s church was either Zonal or District, but we were allowed to perform. During the concert, I was asked to perform while he (Baba Ara) was resting. Before my performance, many other upcoming artistes had performed, but during my own ministration, Baba Ara came out, and sprayed money on me. He personally put the money in my pocket, and said to me “waa fi ya, waa fi ra”. Meaning: “through this music, you will become very successful in life”. My second encounter with him was 3 years later, during Mrs. Bukola Ajibade’s church programme, at CCC Igbala Parish, in Meiran, Lagos State. The late Baba Ara was the guest artiste for the programme, but I was privileged to be invited to perform alongside other upcoming artistes. Back then, I didn’t sing Baba Ara’s style of music at functions, but only in the church, I was a Juju musician. Few minutes into my ministration, he came to join me on stage, and we both sang together with one microphone. During the ministration, he said to the congregation that, “the work I won’t be able to finish, this is the person who will finish it” (ise ti a o le pari, awon ti a pari e re). That day, he said I should stop my Juju music because it is not my way, rather, I should be singing his style of gospel music. These two ‘prophetic messages’ were given to me in the presence of the large congregation before he dropped the microphone. There and then, he nicknamed me Arole Baba Ara, and since then, I have not dropped the name.
No! It was 3 or 4 years after he gave the ‘prophecy’ that he died. Apart from those two instances, we both performed together about 6 to 8 times, subsequently.
For how long have you been singing now?
Hmmm…. say 16 to 18 years now
At what age did you start music?
I discovered myself at the age of 11, and I met Baba Ara when I was 18 years. But I started gospel music professionally in my early twenties.
How have you been able to cope as the ‘Arole Baba Ara’, coupled with the fact that he gave you the title, and we have people who also call themselves Arole Baba Ara?
I will say at the beginning, the name caused problems for me in this journey than I can imagine, because there is nothing people have not done to me, all because of the name. Maybe if he had known, he wouldn’t have mentioned it publicly or he would have allowed me use my name. On the other hand, the name has brought good luck to me since I started using it. Things have really changed for me, positively. I could remember when I was playing Juju music, people would invite us for shows, but I didn’t have savings, I didn’t have money. I would wear one pair of clothes for 10 different shows, it used to be wash and wear, for instance. People were inviting us for shows but nothing to show for it, but since I started singing Baba Ara style of music, things have been going smoothly for me, though there are lots of problem and jealousy, but I thank God for His grace and mercy, here we are today. On the issue of others using the title, like I said earlier, the late Roland Olubukola Aromola fondly called Baba Ara, gave me the name, Arole Baba Ara, I can’t speak for others.
First and foremost, the name bought me back to the spirit, and makes me closer to God, and I am always careful of what I do. Secondly, the name Arole Baba Ara gives me joy, and there is hardly any door that I will knock today, that God won’t open for me. I must say that God used Baba Ara to change my life and my story. I return all the praise to Him.
How many Albums have you produced so far?
To the glory of God, I have produced 5, my first album was Divine Call, followed by The Owner, Agbara Ori Temple, Oba Ara. The fifth one is Divine Promise.
Which of these albums brought you into limelight?
My first album, Divine Call, brought me into limelight. We are working on our next album, and live performances. I have done two before now, so I am targeting December this year for two albums, God willing.
Where do you get the inspiration to write songs?
My inspiration comes from the Holy Spirit. The Bible says it is the spirit that does all things, the flesh profits not. So I get my inspiration from the Holy Spirit.
We are working towards having a collaboration with some artistes very soon.
Having female admirers as a singer is normal. Same happens to female singers, they surely have many male admirers. I have my experience with them, I will say I have learnt a lot from women. We can’t do without them. God on my side, I relate with them with maturity and wisdom of God.
Who is your mentor or role model in the industry?
I have a lot of mentors or role models in the industry, however, the late Baba Ara remains my main mentor and role model. Though he is late, but his works speak for him. Also, Baba Imole Ayo, Baba Olabamiji, among others, have been a sort of inspiration for me.
How do you unwind/relax?
I relax by listening to music, either mine or any of the tracks of Baba Ara.
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