Shola Victor-Sajowa -
Exclusive Interview with iShine Magazine
Shola is an award winning UK based gospel
artist. For many years, she was the worship leader at Kingsway International
Church of Christ, Waterden Road,
London. Now, she leads worship
with her husband in their church in South London.
On the 9th of June, Shola and her husband Pastor Victor will be presenting a
special event called, ‘As Love Demands’ and launching a book. The event will be
supported by the award winning gospel performer Noel Robinson, who has worked
with artists like Chaka Khan, Graham Kendrick and Matt Redman.
I started singing…
At the age of three according to my mum, she said
when she took me to parties I would stand in the middle, close my eyes and
wiggle my little waist :-). As I grew, I loved all music that stirred me or
spoke to my soul. I just loved music from Michael Jackson, Fela Anikulapo-kuti,
Yvonne Chaka Chaka, George Benson, Onyeka Onwenu, Ebenezer Obey etc. I had a book
of songs where I wrote all the lyrics of the songs I liked. Some people thought
we had stacks and stacks of albums at home. It’s just that if the music speaks
to me or says what I want to say, it sticks with me.
What about singing in church?
My style of music however changed when I gave my
life to Christ in 1987 during my A 'Levels in Ijebu-Ode, Nigeria.
You see, I had made up my mind that when I got to the school that I was going
to join the palm-wine drinkers club as they did two things that I really enjoyed.
They drank a local drink called palm-wine, sang and danced a lot. In addition,
my aunt and her fiancé were members of the club. Whenever my aunt came around
she would play their songs and I enjoyed them a lot.
But
GOD had a better plan, on the day that I got to school, I had to
look for a place to stay as I lived off campus. I met three lovely
ladies, Funmi Adetayo, Bunmi and Tokunbo who took me to where I could get
accommodation and they helped me settle in. When we finished they said they were
going to fellowship. To say thanks to them for their help, I decided to go with
them not knowing it was a set up.
So what happened next?
As we got there, a gentleman by the
name of Shoga Alademerin was preaching. What struck with me was when he said,
'if you want to go to hell GOD bless you, but if you want to give your life to
Christ now is the time.’ Now you see, the life I had lived prior to this time
was a very fast life, not godly at all and I concluded GOD had had enough of me
and he was speaking through this guy. Gosh, I was scared. I quickly ran
forward, surrendered my life to Christ and have never looked back.
Your fashion sense is impressive – what’s your
style? Where do you get your dresses, shoes and jewellery from?
Thank you. I believe in decent elegance, what needs
to be out of sight should be out of sight lol. I buy my shoes from everywhere
online, in stores Debenhams, House of Fraser, little boutiques etc, same as my
jewellery. As for my clothes I pick items here and there, I have in the past
worked with various designers who I tell what I want and together we come up
with my designs. There are talented people like Joy Nwanozo she is on Facebook.
Recently, I came across a lovely gifted lady who now designs my clothes. She is an award winning
designer who understands my figure and my sometimes hmm ideas, lol. We
look at ideas together and she sorts me out. Her name is Evelyn Nwajagu and her
label is called Ijeve Designs.
Is there anything else you do?
I also run a fashion outfit called 'Solvic Images'
we stock 100% cotton shirts for ladies and gents. We stock other unique items
as and when we come across them.
How did you become a worship leader?
After becoming born-again, I joined the choir and
soon started leading worship. I have done so ever since. This continued when I
came to the UK
in 1988 and was introduced to the ministry of Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo. One
day, he asked me what I loved to do in church; I told him I loved singing. I
joined the choir and gradually become more active and later I began to lead
worship. It was a gradual process.
Was there anyone who inspired you to sing?
Those who inspired me hmmm, I guess I already
had an ingrained passion for music, but now being born again people like
Helen Baylor, Amy Grant, Yolanda Adams, Juanita Bynum, my friend Helen Yawson
and many others.
Is it important for a singer to be able to play an
instrument?
Erm yes. I play music with my mouth
lol...
Did you want to become a singer when you were
younger?
I actually wanted to become a spy or a
naval officer. You see, I used to love reading novels like Nick Carter or James
Hadley Chase lol
What is the most expensive music instrument or
gadget you have ever bought?
A talking drum.
What has been your most pleasant music experience?
I get excited when I write new songs. I
feel blessed to be able to do so and every time I write new songs I get so
excitedly that I can’t wait to share them with my family.
Has there ever been an embarrassing moment on stage
or before a
show?
I
remember pitching too high at an event, I hope I covered it well ? lol
Who has been the most influential person in your
music career?
Pastor Dipo Oluyomi has been the most influential
person in my music ministry. You see, he taught me focus and the need to know
why you are doing what you are doing.
Many people find it difficult to combine two things
at a time, how have you managed to successfully combine your career, motherhood
and being a wife? What are the secrets?
I must say I have a wonderful husband who is very
supportive and helpful, also prioritising is the key.
Why did you start the art of worship events? What
is it about?
‘The art of true worship’ was birthed out of the
requests I was getting from various worship leaders, choirs and other people
who were asking me to mentor them. I realised that if I was to respond to all
the requests I was getting, there wouldn't be enough time. So, I thought the
best way to go about it was to have a day where we'll all come together, pray,
study, they ask questions and we answer them. The first time we organised it,
my husband, Pastor Victor Sajowa and I spoke. Thereafter, we had speakers
like Sonnie Badu, Noel Robinson, Pastor Dipo Oluyomi, Donna Akodu, Aaron T
Aaron, Michael Pounds and many other anointed people of God.
Who is your target audience and what are you
offering them?
All worship leaders, teams, choirs and
all who simply love to worship the LORD. We pray together and everyone has an
opportunity to ask questions and we learn together. There is fellowship with
like minded people as worship and eat together. Most especially, we remind
ourselves that we are not alone.
Have done a duet with an other singer or who would
you like to duet with in future?
You know years ago, I used to duet with
my mentor who I also call my big brother - Pastor Dipo Oluyomi. Also, I have sung
duets with my husband who has an amazing voice. Those were great times, who
will I like to duet with? Hmm that’s a very good question…
I loved your performance of 'IGWE' at a recent
International Gathering of Champions organised by Kingsway Internal Christian
Centre in Excel, London,
how was that for you?
That was an awesome experience for me.
I was asked by the group presenting the song to simply come and do what I do
best that is praise God in my native language which is Yoruba and I decided to
also interpret it in English for those who couldn't speak my language, it was
my first time of doing that in public but it wasn't the last.
How long do you have to rehearsal for before a
concert?
I spend weeks by myself, sometimes months, before
joining up with my team.
Do you ever get stage fright? How does it feel when
you come on stage and you see thousands of people in front of you?
Hmm stage fright. I get this
‘bogey-bogey’ going on in my chest, in my tummy or my legs begin to shake lol!
All I do is focus and pray loads, focus on the ONE who it’s all about. My
private prayer time affects my public performance and ministration, so, the preparation
really matters. I have come to realise
that if it’s two people in the audience or thousands, they are still the people
of GOD, so, I DONT allow anything to distract me.
Your songs are really uplifting. How do you write
them? Is it easy to put words together? Where do the words come from?
Thank you, one of my songs in the track African
medley started as 'I am a giant killer’ in a dream. It was the story of David
and Goliath. The lyrics came to me as if David was singing it. When I woke up I
didn't think people would want to sing ‘I am a giant killer’. So, it was
changed the words to, ‘I am a line crosser’, more inline with my spiritual
dad—pastor Matthew’s message. Sometimes, songs come to me in a dream; I wake up
and record it on my phone. Sometimes, I hear a band play and I hear a different
tune or words or I hear beats in a new way, then I tidy up the songs after
deciding on what the message should be.
Currently, you are selling your CDs on Amazon - So,
how do you go from words on paper/computer to a CD on Amazon?
Some of my songs are taught in church raw, but to
get on CD, I have a wonderful brother called Noel Robinson who worked on my
first album. I sing the songs to him, we tidy them up, he adds music, arranges
the songs and the rest is history.
What has been the most important thing in your life
that you have achieved?
Getting married to the right person, as I know the
person you marry is extremely important, it could either make or break you.
There were different voices speaking to me but thankfully GOD helped me make
the right choice.
In 1988, I met my beloved husband whilst staying
with my mum’s friend in Balham, London.
He came to visit and we saw each other for the first time. One of my mum’s
friends that we were staying with happened to be his mum’s friend. He was on
holidays and decided to come and visit his mum’s friend. I happened to be at
home when he arrived and we got introduced. We shared scriptures, became
friends and so on. As our friendship deepened, he started calling me his wife,
I didn't take him serious as I had a picture of the man I wanted to marry –he
had to be a doctor, always wear white and he didn't fit the picture I had of
‘my husband.’
When he went back to Nigeria, I wrote him and told him I
only saw him as my brother and not as my husband, he told me this really
bothered him as he was so sure. Years later, he came back to London and it was as if the Lord had had
enough of my silly ideas. We both had a conversation that made all my ideas
sound silly and all his attributes were highlighted to me that night. All I
could say was yes! 21 years later after that decision and 18 years of marriage
later all I can say is thank you LORD!
What is your advice to women all over the world who
are talented but are stuck in a rut because they don't know how to move forward
and realise their potential?
First, prayerfully identify your potential, write
it down, explore it, pray about it and take a first step towards actualising
it. You can even start doing it for free until someone is willing to pay you
for it or until you are able to set a price for it.
What would you like to say to inspire young girls
who are still singing in a church choir but have dreams to release their own
album in future?
Keep at it, keep praising the LORD with what he has
given you, submit your gift to the church house you belong to, allow yourself
to grow, develop your self, grow spiritually, be mentored, trained and prove
yourself at home first. Serve, serve, serve. In time your gift ill make
room for you. Have a good grounding and education. Don't be too much in a hurry
- at the right time, you will know when it’s time.
Tell us more about your coming event...
On the 9th of June by the grace of God, we'll
be holding an even called 'As love demands'. It is a live worship experience -
a live recording of my new album, instead of it all being recorded in a
studio. We are presenting the songs live and we'll record it on the day.
Also, my husband is presenting his new book titled ‘the Joseph Generation.’ The
day will start with his book presentation and will end with the recording of my
new album. We will also have some guest artists ministering – such as Michael Pounds,
Aaron T Aaron, Lara Martin, Royal Destiny, Jake Isaac, Noel Robinson, the award
winning gospel musician who has worked with artists like Chaka Khan, Graham Kendrick
and Matt Redman. Guests will also have the opportunity to enjoy the great music
from anointed vocalists and instrumentalists, Wole Awolola and Chiedu Nwanze.
Oh I believe God for an awesome day. There’ll be food, networking goody bags.
Tickets are £15 each or £10 each for groups of 10. For
more info call or text 07982007385, Email sajsuccess@aol.com or visit
www.sholavictorsaJowa.com © 2012
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