EXCLUSIVE: Catching Up with Gospel Sensation Onos Ariyo

Some Pastors struggle with their sermon just because the Singer butchered the worship session! Onos is a Worship Leader that any congregation will be proud to have.

The anointing God blessed this woman is such that, the atmosphere changes whenever she opens her mouth to sing. She carries this divine presence when she mounts the stage. You can’t but feel it.

The Multiple Award winner popularly nicknamed – ‘Gospel Diva Onos’ wife to ‘Kunmi Ariyo’ who is also her manager, and now a mum to our new, cute American baby girl has made several appearances in Nigeria and Abroad to minister, sing, perform, feature, talk- you name it- Still recovering from her Song ’Everything has Changed’ when she gracefully sashayed by, hitting us hard with the exquisite video of ‘Everything has Changed.’ Seriously, that video is simply dopeeeee!!!!!!

The video is still generating lots of attention across the globe for its excellence, high quality, perfection and you just feel great watching it. Despite commitments and busy schedule which comes with being a public figure, she is still committed to her home church- ‘House On the Rock of Pastor Paul Adefarasin and the choir- Chosen Treasure-‘ My church too yah! My choir as well yah!! One of the worship Leaders amongst other great worship leaders in the church dynamic and well respected. Thanks Onos for your time. I hope you get to see another side of Onos that is new.

GENTLE CAUTION: The Delta State Gospel Diva Onos loves speaking Vernacular English.. Be warned!! {Laughs}

=============================================================

ONOS MUSIC

Praiseworld – Could you share your first experience with Music?
ONOS-Hmmmm! my first experience with music was when I was pretty young. At that period, I was learning how to play the keyboard, the recorder and was also in a choral group. Back then, it was a beautiful experience.

I noticed that each time I have to go for my classes; I was always very excited that my family noticed. I loved to be around anything or anywhere that had to do with Music. Those memories are so priceless that each time I think about it, it makes me smile.

Praiseworld – You dumped your French degree for music. What gave you that conviction that music was where God wanted you to be?
ONOS-I won’t say I dumped my French degree totally because I still do stuff here and there with my French. Singing has been my thing from a very tender age, while studying in the university, I knew I was going to end up chasing my music as a career and also make a living out of it and thank God for the holy spirit who always gives me that inner conviction against all odds I am ready to live my dream.

Praiseworld – What’s your view on gospel music per excellence?
ONOS – Excellence in Gospel Music is a subject that people always jump on every now and then, I can say we are not there yet but we are not where we use to be and of course I know it can get better. Gospel music in Nigeria now is not where it used to be some years ago.

Several changes have occurred and like I always say, there are more platform in which artist can promote and push their talents. Using Praiseworld Radio for example, the inception of the station has given more gospel artists another large platform to be heard as well as reaching out to larger audience not just the Lagos audience.

Praiseworld – Still talking about excellence, your video of “Everything has changed” was fantastic and pretty cool, how did you pull it off?
ONOS- When it comes to my music / videos, I try as much as I can to make it stand out because I’m under the leadership of Pastor Paul Adefarasin and one thing House on the Rock is known for is excellence. So unconsciously, it rubs off in almost all the project I want to do.

For my videos, I go all out by spending money on costumes, make up and anything that will make it unique. For the video of “Everything has changed” I had several meetings with my stylist ‘BYGE’ and the video director ‘FRIZZLE’ I told them what I wanted and they basically interpreted the different ideas.

We didn’t want anything that will distract viewers from the deep message of the song, we really wanted to keep it simple as well as deep, that was why we went with the idea of having a picture story of me at different stages and phases of my life, something real that the viewers can connect and identify with and basically explain to them how Everything has changed…

Praiseworld – Still on “Everything has changed” is there any specific situation God changed in your life that you would like to share as an encouragement to your fans?
ONOS – God has practically changed a lot about me; I am not who I used to be and where I used to be. In terms of chasing my vision and dreams, God has changed a lot about me.

In that angle, these days as am thinking about a plan, I JUST DO IT by taking action, on like before, where I worry a lot and get myself worked up on what if it doesn’t work?

Praiseworld – Were there times that your role as one of the lead vocalist in House on the Rock Church has somewhat conflicted with your music career? If yes, how did you balance it?
ONOS – They do not conflict; the most important thing here is communication. If you communicate properly to the leadership on what your activities are, then there won’t be any problem, and that’s what I have been doing and like I will always say, talent is not enough as artist you need to have character and discipline, when that is in place you are good to go.

Praiseworld – Is there any memorable/embarrassing stage experience you would love to share or want us to laugh about?
ONOS- {Chei!!!} Let me think first …… Ok good! I remember singing at a Concert in Asaba and as I was singing, I noticed one of the camera men were trying so hard to get my attention and I was just wondering what the problem was.

I felt he was trying to tell me to move forward that he couldn’t see me properly not knowing that he was desperately trying to tell me to adjust my dress that the linen inside the dress was up and he wanted me to pull it down because it was a white dress and all he could see in his camera was my inner wear and I made it worse by moving forward. He said I moved directly to the light which made the reflection from the light more glaring on me …….{Laughing hard}

Omo! !t wasn’t funny I had to find a way to end what I was singing because it destabilized me. Even the people I was singing to {switches to vernacular} **** come dey whisper dey talk to themselves**** So I advised myself and ran off the stage …. {Laughing}

Praiseworld – Hahahah!!Oh my goodness!! I can just imagine your embarrassment. Funny though. {Laughing} Would love to know the artistes you have shared the stage with? And what you love to feature alongside with?{international and Nigerian}
ONOS – Shared the stage with Micah Stampley, Phil Driscoll ,Chevelle Franklin, Jessica Reedy and so on. I would love to feature with the likes of MaryMary, Le’andrea Johnson, Tamela Mann, Tasha Cobb, In the Nigeria front I’ve featured quite a number of artists already though on my tracks. I would probably say Cohbams.

Praiseworld – Oh wow! I’m just imagining you and Tamela Mann.. That would be a performance to watch. I love to ask some of my guest this question. How do you handle fame and your fans?
ONOS-I am a naturally level headed person {switches to vernacular} **** Yes I dey blow my trumpet**** LOL** I try each day to keep my prayer life up and running so that I don’t loose my one on one with God because it is the Holy ghost in me that keeps me in check! And for my fans l try to relate with them to the best of my ability.

Praiseworld – You visited the USA last year, could you tell us about your ministration there? Do you plan on visiting again soon?
ONOS-I had a 3 day concert including other ministrations in different churches as well, specifically Winners Chapel etc. It was a beautiful experience and yes I plan on visiting again this year by God’s grace

Praiseworld – If you were given an option to convey a message to the President of Nigeria through music, what will the title and short lyrics be?
ONOS- Hummn! The title will be: “Do Something!”

I stand for change
I stand for a better Naija
Nigeria is our land
Her greatness is in our hands
Oya! Do something

Praiseworld – Awwh! Wow! Onos, please do something about this something Song please.. {Both Laughing}You know, I love the way you sometimes combine your music with your Delta dialect flavor.. Keep it up

ONOS PROJECT/AWARD…..

Praiseworld – As the newly appointed National Coordinator of Women of African Origin in Music Ministry {WAOMM} what is your primary role?
ONOS- Just like our theme in WAOMM states, we are a supportive system at which women of African Origin in Music Ministry can be supported, empowered and encouraged to fulfill their God given talents and gifts.

So my primary role as the National Co-ordinator in Nigeria is to ensure by the special grace of God that WAOMM can lend a voice to as many individuals or corporate body that need a shoulder to lean on as they actualize their God given potentials.

Praiseworld – Great! Recently you were nominated by City People Entertainment AWARDS under the category of Gospel Artiste of the Year! How do you feel about that?
ONOS – It is a good feeling. I was also nominated last year as well for this same award it just shows that people out there really appreciate your work and what you are doing.

ONOS & FAMILY……

Praiseworld – If you were to choose one over another, what would it be? Family over ministry or ministry over family? If they equally weigh the same to you, please explain…
ONOS – Definitely family over ministry. I really don’t think you can have a ministry without your family because life is not fun when you don’t have people to share them with.

Praiseworld – Given that you just welcomed the birth of your baby, what’s your perspective on the saying- “Train a child in the way he should go and when he grows, he will not depart from it?”
ONOS- Hmmmmmm! Is it not too early for me to talk on that subject? …. Lol* because my daughter is just 7 months … Just kidding though. For me, it’s really about teaching the child those values early so that it is formed in her at a very tender age because those where some of the things that helped me when I was much younger and I believe I should do likewise to my children.

For example at night, when I want to put my daughter to sleep even when she doesn’t feel like sleeping I take her to the room, dim the lights and after a while she falls asleep dimming the light for me is just to let her know that- yeah it is night time and it is time to sleep. So right now she understands the routine. It takes teaching!

Praiseworld – Aware that your husband, Mr. Kunmi is your manager; how do you separate work and family life especially now that you have a new addition?
ONOS-Before and when we got married my husband was fully in charge of managing me but now we restructured due to much commitments at the moment, so we are currently building a team that will handle the different aspect of the ONOS Brand .

Praiseworld – Hummn! Now I see; I see the connection–Onos married her Manager. {Laughing}
ONOS {laughs} there is really no hard and fast rule separating work and family. My principle is: “Take each day at it comes..”

WHEN WOMEN GIST…
PRISY-I’ve heard some women complain about ‘texture voice change’ after childbirth. Do you think your voice changed after childbirth?
ONOS- No, I do not think so.

PRISY-You have a stylish way of dressing; do you have a wardrobe manager? Or is it just sheer creativity and inspiration?
ONOS-I am very creative and always want to look a certain way for an event. However, I have two designers I’ve worked with over the years and I’m still working with, they pretty much handle my wardrobe. I use BYGE Collections and KIKI Kamanu.

Most of the pieces you see on my video or in a photo come from them.

PRISY- Nice..
DID YOU KNOW?
• Onos loves to Window Shop?
• Onos loves wearing Lip-gloss?
• Onos loves speaking Pidgin English? {vernacular} as witnessed above
• Onos loves Shoessssss?
• Onos does not like carrying Handbags?

PRISY-I bet you did not know {In Kirk Franklin’s voice} If you don’t know, now you know!!

EXTRA….
Praiseworld – You attended the Praiseworld Radio Party recently, any words for PWR, and is there anyone you would love to give a shoutout to?

ONOS-I want to give a very big shout out to TOLA (Founder). You are doing a fantastic job. Keep up the good work.. {Switches to Pidgin English***Dear Reader, you should be used to that by now LMAO!!} No worry your reward no be only heaven e dey, you go still see am for here in Jesus name. Amen!

Praiseworld – AMEN!! Any words for your fans?
ONOS – Live your dreams stop procrastinating- JUST DO IT!!!!

ONOS FINAL WORDS HERE…
ONOS – Just want y’all to get ready to receive a brand new album from ONOS dropping this August I’m excited about it, the album speaks of freshness, newness and as many that lay their hands on it to listen, things will change in the different areas of their life, I want you also to look out for “ONOS LIVE in Concerts” as we unveil the new album into the hands of God’s.

Praiseworld – For more info on the CONCERT you can follow ONOS on

Twitter – @onosbak
Instagram – onosariyo
Facebook – ONOS ARIYO

Thanks to ONOS, Kunmi and Baby Anina. God bless you all.

Thanks to all readers, and Praiseworld Radio fans and supporters. See you next time by God’s grace.
Watch out for the Entrepreneur and Special Project Exclusive Interview Series.

If you think your project is special enough to be featured, or if you are a great Entrepreneur living abroad or Nigeria, do send us an email on {news@praiseworldradio.com} with the subject “Entrepreneur or Special Project”. Thank you.

@PriscillaPWR

Follow us on Twitter and instagram @PRAISEWORLD_

Follow @PRAISEWORLD_