Popular singer, Busola Oke, widely known as Eleyele, broke down in tears during a live session on social media while lamenting the challenges affecting her music career.
In a video that began circulating on Tuesday, the singer spoke about financial hardship and the difficulty of sustaining herself in the industry, saying, “How can you eat when there’s no food? How can you drive when there’s no car? How can you be at peace when there’s no peace?”
Apologising to her fans, she added, “To my fans, I’m sorry. I never planned to do this, but I can’t take this anymore. I’m done. Good music doesn’t sell anymore.”
The emotional broadcast triggered reactions from fans and colleagues, many of whom sent messages of encouragement and urged her to stay strong and take care of her well-being.
Oke, who gained popularity with songs such as ‘Eleyele,’ ‘Ogo Tuntun,’ ‘Asoro Ma Tase’ and ‘Adaba,’ had earlier spoken about stepping away from the music scene.
In 2017, the singer said she had been away for a long time because she had to stay abroad with her husband and take care of her children.
“I have been away for a long time. I am married to somebody who doesn’t stay in Nigeria. I had to stay with my family to take care of the kids,” she said.
She, however, said she later returned to Nigeria to continue her career, adding, “My husband understands that my music has been affected for a while because of this break. I have handed everything over to God. Now I am back and it is for good. I have finally relocated to Nigeria, and I am ready to face my music. I will just be going abroad during vacations.”
The singer also disclosed plans at the time to release new projects, saying, “I am releasing a double album soon, one crossover and one full gospel music.”
While she is widely known for gospel music, Oke insisted she preferred to be described differently, saying, “I would rather she is called an inspirational singer.”
Explaining her stance further, she said, “That is what I want to prove to people. I love praising God. But that doesn’t make me a gospel singer. I can sing at weddings, I can sing anywhere. I do not have any problem with singing as long as I am making an impact and imparting on lives. I am first of all, a singer. I can sing all songs. Gospel is good news and I am preaching to people through all the songs I sing.”
