I am so amazed by the bond these lovely duo share. They are the first Couple to grace this interview series, We attended the same fellowship on Campus, and its nice to know they eventually got married after rocking the university with their group known as GOD’S OWN RADICALS {GOR}
It was formed in 2001 when 3 young undergraduates of the then Ogun State University, now known as Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, Ogun State in the South-Western part of Nigeria met at a local fellowship. They had in common, a passion for hip-hop and rap music and observed there was a vacuum in this genre of gospel music in their environment, hence decided to fill that space.
The trio of Daddy – D, Don – L and Donna – T started out by miming songs of foreign gospel hip-hop groups and progressed into writing, composing and arranging their own material and ministering at their fellowship and other concerts in the university.
The moniker ‘GOD’S OWN RADICALS’ came up as a result of the fact that at the time they started, rap was not popular as a genre of gospel music as it was seen as too secular. Thus stepping out and doing something against the established norms made them radicals of some sort.
GOD’S OWN RADICALS employs a sound that is distinctly Nigerian with thumping drum-lines and driving beats as well as the use of indigenous languages along with the English language in their songs. The songs cover a wide range of subjects with emphasis on the praise of the Most High God as well as His message of hope, love & redemption. The Duo have released two full length albums (Under Construction & 20DOZEN: THE CALL) and a 17 track Mixtape titled Unleashed. VOL1
The sophomore album was released in 2012. You can follow the duo on GOR has shared stages with artistes like Frank Edwards, Rooftop Mcs, Eben, Samnem, Dr Sankty, Provabs, Midnight Crew, BOUQUI and they have been nominated for several awards including the Nigeria Gospel Music Awards (2012, 2013) Crystal Awards (2013, 2014) amongst others.
Ola & Ishioma aka Don L and Donna T
Prisy- How did you meet your Wife?
Husband- I met her on her first day at the University. Her folks brought her to the house I was living in at that time. The school used to be known as Ogun State University then. Now it is Olabisi Onabanjo University.
Prisy- Did you know you were going to be joining your husband on stage to sing? At what point did you realize that?
Wife- The Singing on Stage came about 4 years before the husband part. So I guess by the time we got married, I already knew. GOR (God’s Own Radicals) started and we were already on stage together before we got married.
Prisy- What is your definition of Gospel Hip-hop and why did you choose that genre of music?
Husband- Well, Hip Hop is something our generation and younger generations continues to be in tune with. We wondered how we could get the good news about Christ to our generation using that same medium. We started GOR in 2001. Hip Hop was not as acceptable as it is now in the Church even though the Church still gives it a back seat. Then, there was hardly any seat for hip hop in the church.
Prisy- Is there any hip-hop artiste you want to feature or would want to be featured with?
Husband- For me, It will be Rooftop MCs and I already told So Kleva this on a number of occasions.
Wife- Rooftop MCs and Threadstone (They are a Rock band though).
Prisy-How do you combine Law and Hip hop?
Husband- I really dont know how I combine it. I just try not to over process things. When I’m at work as a lawyer, Im at work. Sometimes the rap head pokes its way through and I write down the lyrics. It took a long while for colleagues at work to know I do music and even now some still do not know. These are two parts of my life that I love so much and will continue to pursue as the Lord gives grace
Prisy- What is the Story behind your new song ‘I made it’
Husband-The song is titled “iRise” In March 2013, my wife had an accident. Things were going smoothly up to that point, we had recorded some songs, we were preparing to shoot a video in April, dates had been fixed, then BOOM! She gets hit by a bus and fractured her femur. GOR came to a grinding pause.
Donna “God saved me from death!”
It wasn’t a pleasant experience, but it was a weeding process. A lot of excess baggage was shed in that process. That is the story behind iRise because God himself came through as He has promised us all
Prisy- What message do you like passing across in your type of music
Wife- In one word, “HOPE’
Prisy- What do you think are the challenges of Gospel hip Hop today?
Husband-– Hypocrisy! Many churches fail to realise hip hop is a powerful tool to connect the youth and the young at heart to the message of the Most High God. Solve this hypocrisy and a lot of other challenges like funding, exposure etc will be resolved. I say this because, the quality of content is very high.
GOR on stage
Prisy- Producing a song especially hip hop can be stressful, how do you cool off or relax?
Wife- I watch movies to relax.
Husband-Production is actually the part of the process I love the most. I don’t see it as stressful! It is a beautiful process and I like being involved. Hearing what starts out as just an idea take shape and form into some tangible and sweet to the ears. Its actually how I relax even though I don’t physically produce. Then of course, cinemas to see the movies.
Prisy- Do you encourage gospel musicians/singers marrying each other? Why?
Husband- Well, It depends o! If that is where you find love, by all means. I think it has worked for us because we both have other professions which are separate and still make us function as different individuals. To encourage? I dont think Im qualified to encourage or discourage. {laughs}
Prisy- What do you have to say about the high rate of separation/divorce today among believers?
Wife- People rushing into marriage upon certain misplaced assumptions I think. One is, people make promises they have absolutely no intention of keeping. Another is, so many principles are flying about. Some of them are basic and some progress to some ridiculous extents as if people are regimented machines forgetting that each individual relationship is different from the other. What works for couple A may not work for couple B. The misapplication/ misunderstanding of these principles I think is responsible for the high rate of divorce.
The power couple performing on stage
Prisy- Advice for couples that are musicians
Wife- You have to learn how to balance things out.
Husband– I concur with my wife LOL!
Prisy- Shoutout?
Husband-Shoutout to every one who has supported us since day one and has continue to do so. We have come a long way together and we totally appreciate your support. We also appreciate all who we have worked with, producers, video directors, publicists. Everyone who has brought GOR (God’s Own Radicals}to this point!
Wife- Shoutout to my God for keeping me here.
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I want to thank the Power Couple ‘Ola & Ishioma’ for being my guests this week. They can be reached through the above social media contacts.. Thanks to everyone reading. Much love. See you soonest with the chat I had with……..
Priscilla
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