Exclusive Interview: Olaedo Ibe Offers A Preview to Her New Album "Grow to Glow"

Coming on the back of her well-received debut EP Shine Like Gold which was released last year, British Nigerian singer, songwriter and composer, and MOBO Award nominee Olaedo Ibe is proud to announce her brand new single 'Lead Me', which is taken from her forthcoming sophomore EP Grow To Glow.

Produced by GKid, whose previous production credtis include working with the likes of Faith Child, Guvna Band Triple O, 'Lead Me' is a exciting and passionate Hip Hop/Soul number with spoken word elements, which sees Olaedo Ibe offering up a prayer to God for guidance through this journey of life.

Q:  Olaedo, thank you for doing this interview with us.  Let's start with yourself, tell us a little about your journey, how did the Lord lead you to sing for him?

Thank you for having me. I started singing in a church my father founded, in schools and weddings. Although, I sang in church I was very shy to worship God publicly, so after church, school or other outings I would rush into my room and just talk with God to compensate. It was then I started writing songs, I was 8. He then showed me how to write stories, poetry and scripts. Growing up, most people knew that I sang, but a few people knew that I wrote. My relationship with God grew unknowingly and because he was all I knew in my mind; he was all I wrote about so it just made sense to sing about Him.

Q:  You have got a very unique sound where you merge Gospel, soul, spoken words and Hip Hop together in your music.  Which artists would you say helped you influence your sound?

Truth is I love all genres of music, so it's really hard to say. Musically I've been influenced by the Clark Sisters; their music is pure and unflawed, Jill Scott mixes soul, neosoul, jazz and spoken word perfectly together, Bebe and Cece kept their sound current but lyrics saved, vulnerable and relatable, hip-hop with clean lyrics and psalms from the Holy Bible. Also MaryMary, Kierra Sheard, Janet Jackson , Brooklyn Tabernacle choir, Rachel Kerr, Lurine Cato and Kirk Franklin are a few of the artist that have influenced my sound as an artist.

Q:  I am really excited about your new single "Lead Me."  For our readers who have not heard it yet, briefly tell us what the song's about and what it means to you.

"Lead Me" is my personal prayer that decided to turn itself to a song. The songs starts with expressing that I'm not sure about certain things in life - however it concludes that I'm sure that God knows and he will lead me.

Q:  "Lead Me," I believe, is a single off your forthcoming album "Grow to Glow."  I like the title, but can you explain for us the title of your new album.

Yes,"Lead Me" will be on my next project "Grow to Glow". After releasing "Shine Like Gold", I wondered what's next. Funny enough, I had a dream that same week. I was in a white large spaceship in space, in the middle of the spaceship there was a large hole. Jesus had kept all the Christians in another room. It remained myself and 3 other people, he gave us all assignments and work to do, however he told us not to look at each other and to keep our minds on our assignment.

The aim was to keep the spaceship clean before His father came for the inspection.  2 of the other people tried to see each other's assignment and they both fell into the hole immediately by an unseen force. Jesus told me to clean the kitchen, as I opened the kitchen it was full of many black bags, in those black bags, there were rotten and spoilt fruits. Jesus told me "this is the fruit of my church", I looked at him he was unhappy although hope was not lost. I wanted to walk away as the dirt was too much, all of a sudden the Holy Spirit stood behind me and placed water in a hose he told me to wash the fruit. I was tired but he gave me strength by standing beside me and holding my hand. For 3 months I wondered about the dream, it was very interesting to me. But each time I asked God the title of my next project he reminded me of the dream. To cut the long story short, I started to pray that God should grow new fruit in the body of Christ so that we can glow in his glory. I also feel that I have grown as an artist, so thank God for that!

Q:  Who are you working with in terms of songwriters and producers for the record?  And when will it be released?

I'm working with Gkid who is an amazing producer, my brother; Nehemiah Ibe and other producers. As for the songs, I've written most of the songs. It will be released next year by God's grace.

Q:  Give us a preview of your forthcoming album.  Can you pick a couple of your new songs and tell us why they are important to you?

Sure! A song called 'Phenomenal' produced by Nehemiah Ibe is simply giving God credit and telling him he is phenomenal. The song also advocates for speaking things into existence even when life seems weary. I can't talk too much but the project will focus on many subjects from racism to purity to self-less love and self-control.

Q:  For our readers who would like to know more about you and your music, where can they go?

To keep up-to-date with me and all my latest projects, follow me on twitter and instagram @olaedomusic and you can Like my artist page via Facebook.  My debut project "Shine Like Gold" is out on iTunes. Thank you for having me. 

 

 

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