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Gospel music, as it exists in Nigerian music, is often marked by its unique set of sonic problems. The nature of the genre means that artists often reach a crossroads that challenge their creative growth.
Some artists settle into a sonic identity and are rigid in their approach, capping their ceiling for growth early in their careers. In some other cases, like De-Ola, artists allow their catalogues to blossom because they are not afraid to try new things and reset the wheel. She realizes that sticking to a winning formula can come with difficulty when the time to evolve her sound arrives. When we look at her run from the start of the 2020s, we witness an artist that is exploring the full range of her artistic gifts, leaning on her strengths to expand her influence on her fans and the charts.
Her growth has certainly not been loud. However, she has enjoyed good streaming success since breaking out with the “Complete EP.” The interest in her music is as a result of the level of expression and emotional catharsis present in her songs. She provides a release for her listeners, repeating age-old wisdom clothed in innovative sonic approaches that put emotion above performance.
Her evolution shows up in the small, yet dynamic alterations present in her music, noticeable in the decision to lead with percussion on “The Only” then stripping back the instruments to lead with her voice on “Your Word.” She keeps her listeners intrigued by this varied approach to the music, demonstrating a different facet of her artistry while maintaining the core principles that guide her work and spiritual life.
Surrender and worship form the anchors that listeners gravitate towards the most, forming a consistent theme across her records.
As a result, she has built a musical identity that balances boldness when approaching songs with maximalist production with the ability to go for a minimalist approach when the situation calls for it. Due to the strength of her vocal performances she is also able to use her voice as an instrument to do emotional heavy lifting. She possesses an artistic range that many gospel singers fail to operate with.
This is a sign of her musical understanding and intelligence that goes beyond following trends within the Gospel space. Taking a look at her influence in Gospel music, she resists the urge to chase hit records, even with strong steaming numbers. Instead, her approach is to expand what Gospel music can truly sound like. At a time where Gospel music has turned a bit formulaic, De-Ola is a breath of fresh air, creating a space for listeners who want to be immersed in the spirit of worship while actually enjoying interesting music. She achieves both without diluting the sincerity of her message.
Nobody knows what the future holds for De-Ola. One thing that the present holds, however, is her ability to connect with her audience. A lot can be made from that invaluable ability, and for the talented singer, the sky is just her starting point. Her patience, combined with precision, is the winning pair needed to take over the world with music and God’s word.
