Bolanle Oladapo: COVID-19 Lockdown showcased me to the world

Bolanle Oladapo also known as Bola Discovery is a Yoruba gospel artist from Ogun State. She started at six when she joined the church choir, from where she rose to become a popular face in many churches featuring in their crusades, concerts, and conventions. One of her most popular works is Eki, which means, “Acknowledge Him.”

A nurse by training, the singer who recently took a look at her journey in the music industry said: “The song that took me to stardom was Eki. It’s a Yoruba song that means “Acknowledge Him.” Since then, God has been faithful as we move from glory to glory.”

Speaking on what inspired her to compose Eki, Oladapo, who is happily married, noted that it was the Holy Spirit that inspired her to compose the song. She said: “The song was inspired by the Holy Spirit during one of the morning devotions with my band members. It was revealed that we should acknowledge what God does for us, from the gift of salvation to the daily benefits that we get from Him.”

To so many people, the COVID-19 lockdown period was a bad omen, but for the songstress, everything changed for her. She said it was during that time that her profile started blossoming.

“Getting to stardom has been gradual really, but it was during the lockdown that everything changed for me. The lockdown helped in exposing me to many churches and people within and outside the country.

“One of those churches is the Citadel Global Community Church formerly known as The Latter Rain Assembly, where the Senior Pastor is Tunde Bakare. I have also done many virtual programmes with churches and events for individuals now,” she said.

On how she manages the challenges that come with stardom, Oladapo, who acknowledged God in all her endeavours, said: “God is helping me to manage the changes that come with stardom. I’m still myself, even though I am more careful about many things now than I was before. I am more conscious and deliberate about how I relate with people because everything that I do now matters. So, this made me to be more self-conscious. Also, I am busier now than before.”

“I am a nurse by training, and I was working full-time as a business development manager in a medical facility, and singing on a part-time basis, but now, I am into full-time singing,” said Oladapo, who holds a master’s degree in Social WorkS.

Admitting that nothing has changed in terms of her relationship with her friends, Oladapo stressed: “Nothing has changed. Stardom is just an exposure, and should not change me from being a good to a bad person. Rather, it should make me a better person depending on how it’s being managed, or handled. Though some of your friends can assume what’s not based on their beliefs and even decide to leave you. But a change in status or level shouldn’t make one feel that one is now far and above everyone. My friends, colleagues, and family members are still the same as me.”

On her experience so far, and recalling the first time that she performed before a major audience, Oladapo said: “The first was a long time ago. It was a competition of different church choirs and groups. I felt good but was afraid of failure. So, it overwhelmed me. My body shook that day, but we have moved past that. Not anymore.” The gospel artist whose aim is to affect lives positively with her position, connections, money, and talent stated that she would help the younger generations that aspire to do, “what I am doing.”