Ada reaches new height with Overcame

Ada Ogochukwu Ehi well known as ADA, is one Nigerian/International gospel minister, whose sweet melodies, powerful inspiring lyrics and unique sound, is distinguishing her from lot of gospel artistes in Nigeria.

The second of four children, she grew up surrounded by music and creativity. Her sound is pop with a unique blend of afro-pop and electric dance (EDM). She launched her music career under the LoveWorld Records, a label created to launch dynamic and contemporary gospel music ministers into the harvest field. She released her first LP, Bobo Me under the label. She followed up with I’m Rich and Oh Koko, featuring Samsung, Eben, and Protek amongst under the imprint of her new label, FreeNation Inc as the flagship artiste.

Her arrival into the professional gospel music scene was heralded as pure, fresh, original and lifting with an amazing global impact, which has earned her recognition within and outside Nigeria.

Not relenting in her pursuit of excellence, Ada is building up bars ahead of her soon to be released album, the third project since her debut album Undenied, which was released in 2009, and a follow up with a double disc sophomore album Lifted and Softly, released in November 2013.

Speaking at the ‘meet and greet’ held at the Ikeja City Mall, which also coincided with the release of her new song and video, Overcame, the Lagos State University (LASU) Chemical & Polymer engineering graduate said she has been sing from childhood but went professional in 2007 after graduation.

The new music video, shot in sites in Osun State including Erin-Ijesha Water Fall, OAU Ile-Ife among others was directed by Marvinkeyz. The video with its concept of victory over the devil and his cohorts can compete with mainstream videos in the industry.

On the story behind her popular singles, I Testify and Only You Jesus, Ada said: “I wanted to show that everyone has a testimony, that is why we showed kids, couples, adults because everyone has a testimony. If you look closely at your life you will see the signature of God and you will testify. I also wanted something that will inspire people, joy, happiness, gratitude, togetherness.”

“Only You Jesus talks about the resurrection of Jesus, and the rhythm of the song is very African; so we had to bring it home, trying to portray normal situations like no jobs, crisis, and then how God steps in when we need him,” she added.

Asked how many songs are on the forthcoming album and which song is central or major track, the Delta native said work is still ongoing, and the album is likely have it 19 songs, with Jesus as the central focus.

On the challenges encountered shooting the video, the church girl as she calls herself stated there challenges but like the title of the song, “we overcame the enemy — satan — who wanted to disrupt the shooting with rain.

“During one of the scenes, the cloud that was bright suddenly became dark, threatening to rain and we were losing light. We began to speak to pray, speaking in tongues. We noticed that one of the tour guides; an average old man somehow was attracting the rain.

“My husband and one of the pastors in our team walk up to man looked into his gaze and told him baba sorry you can’t go beyond this point. He turned and left, and when he left, the rain that was already drizzling stop and the sky was cleared again. This shows that we are not just singers but ministers called by God for his glory,” she explained.

Though a certified chemical and polymer engineer, Ada stated that music affords her the time and convenience to look after my kids as wife, mother, minister and a Christian.

“Music is what I do for living. Though I’m an engineer, I have not practice since my graduation. Moreso, I’m married and have children I must attend to; so music affords me the opportunity conveniently take care of my family. It grants me the luxury of being a mother, minister, wife and a Christian.”

For her, looking good is God’s business, stressing that a critical look at the video, Overcame, the waterfall, stars, and trees in the forest all shows the signature of the creator and depicts that God is in the business of looking good.

“I’m made in the image of God and after his likeness; I carry his true resemblance, so if I don’t look good, how will you know I’m an emissary from heaven,” she said when asked why she loves to look fabulous with her dressence.

On her take on gospel music in Nigeria doing well and being where it ought to be like the secular music, Ada said, “Gospel music in Nigeria is doing fantastic. There is so much hurt going in the society and gospel music is helping to bring healings to those hurts. If you check a lot of phones you will discover that there are enough gospel songs loaded in it, which ministers to the individual at one point or the other.”

“Sincerely, the media is doing a great in projecting the Nigerian music industry but they are paying little or no attention to the effect and impact of gospel music in our society. We want them to zero in more on gospel music, artistes and help project genre more because it is healing, reviving, restoring, delivering and lifting the soul   Asked what prompted her move from LoveWorld Records to FreeNation Inc, she said, “I am and will always be an artiste of Loveworld Records. The mission was to discover, build and send forth a unique and new set of music ministers into harvest field, and they succeeded. FreeNation Inc is an indie label, and I am their pioneer artiste.”

Does it bother you that secular artistes get more endorsement than gospel artistes?

“For me, secular music is about show, popularity, fame and money but gospel music is about the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, the kingdom of heaven and principles of the bible. Although everybody is on a mission and the mission sort of create the path each artiste(s) follows. Again, it need be noted that we have priorities, which differs from one to another.

“As a music minister, my mission is soul winning. So, in my team, we are all interested in soul winning. As gospel ministers, we are not here to get noticed or be endorsed, we are here to preach (minister) the word of God through music. So, if the secular artistes have more endorsements, that is what they are cut out to do and achieve. We are not looking for it but if comes, glory be to God. I have an endorsement and it is still running.

“I’m one of the Ambassador of the InnerCity Mission, an outreach ministry of Christ Embassy that picks homeless and abandoned children off the streets, educates, rehabilitates, ministers and nourishes them spiritually and physically. My role as a goodwill ambassador is to let more people know about us and to hopefully get you involved because at the end of the day as my pastor says: every child is your child.”