Nigerian gospel singer OBA urges creatives to embrace authenticity

Nigerian gospel singer, songwriter, and leadership coach Bamike Adeyemi, widely known as OBA, is urging aspiring musicians, ministers, and creatives to embrace their distinctiveness rather than attempting to emulate others for success.

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There is quite a lot of pain, especially for someone like me who has been there for years. A lot of people are losing their identity, showing up in ways they are not supposed to and losing their authenticity.

Reflecting on her two-decade career, OBA shared during an appearance on "Conversations With Kenni" that the desperation for recognition often leads individuals to lose their authentic selves. She has observed various phases in the industry where the pressure for visibility causes people to stray from their true identities.

"There is quite a lot of pain, especially for someone like me who has been there for years," OBA stated. "A lot of people are losing their identity, showing up in ways they are not supposed to and losing their authenticity."

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You don’t need to be like Mr A or Mr B. If God wanted that, He would have made a replica. What I tell my people is to own who you are and wear it with your full chest, even if it is only one person that is following you.

She stressed the importance of resisting the urge to become carbon copies of others, emphasizing that each person is uniquely created. "You don’t need to be like Mr A or Mr B. If God wanted that, He would have made a replica. What I tell my people is to own who you are and wear it with your full chest, even if it is only one person that is following you," she advised.

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A lot of people want to cut short the process. God doesn’t operate like that.

OBA also cautioned against seeking shortcuts, highlighting that genuine growth and impact require patience and commitment. She encouraged creatives and ministers to remain dedicated to their current roles, emphasizing that their actions matter regardless of platform size. "Show up in your local assembly and do it like your life depends on it because your life depends on it," she urged.

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Show up in your local assembly and do it like your life depends on it because your life depends on it.