Popular Jutungba Gospel musician, Queen Funmilola Atewogbola-Bodunrin has revealed how she was able to escape from armed robbers while performing on stage after indicting them in her song.
She said, “I remember one faithful day during my live show at Osogbo, we sang the song titled ‘Omije oju mi bere aanu re and Olorun mi iwo ni o je kin ja ole’ (my God, you are the one that did not create me a thief) and during the course of the song, some boys came in to disrupt the event asking us if robbery and stealing was not a legitimate profession.
“Immediately, they brought out their guns, the whole show scattered and every one ran for safety. I also ran away from the event, leaving all my equipment behind, the show was a disaster on that day but we thanked God afterwards”.
Queen Funmilola made this revelation while featuring on our radio show, Ayekooto on Radio’ anchored by Olayinka Agboola and broadcast live on Splash 105.5FM, Felele Ibadan, the capital city of Oyo State recently.
Motivation
Speaking further on what motivated her to become a musician, “I developed passion for music while growing up, right from childhood.
“I have been singing since I was five years old, I started from my father’s church; he is a pastor in Lagos. I was there until when I became matured enough to release my own album”.
Queen Funmi stated that her parents did not object to her choice of career despite studying Business Administration at the University while adding that her father and popular musician, Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey are sources of inspiration for her in the course of her musical career.
She further stated that she has had cordial working relationship with other musicians including Yinka Ayefele and controversial musician, Saint Janet whom she collaborated with during the release of her album known as ‘Normal’.
‘How I Am Coping’
Speaking of how she is coping in the industry, “It’s a little bit difficult. Sometimes, we have encounters with street urchins and if you do not tip them, they can damage your car. They do not even care even if you are a female musician”.
The Jutungba Gospel act further revealed that she gets inspiration for her song while sleeping, cooking or washing stating that she has never stolen other musicians’ creative work of art in the course of her musical career.
Adding, “It is God that gives inspiration and I did try to venture into different things including combining fashion business with my musical career. By the grace of God, I am finding it easy. When you put God first, things become less difficult”.
The musician, however, urged the government at all levels to provide startup capital for upcoming musicians in the country stating that it will go a long way to promote and stabilize the entertainment industry.
Packaged by Dare Raji and Ibukun Ademisoro
