At a first glance Rukayat Gawat-Oyefeso comes to you like a privileged and wealthy lady and the daughter of the popular NTA broadcaster, Rasaq Aremu Gawat but a close encounter with her, one will be surprised at her down-to-earth and humility of the Islamic singer, something uncommon among celebrity musicians like her. Welcome to the world of the Islamic singer that is making a difference in the lives of the younger generation. BOLATITO ADEBOLA writes.
How did your journey into Islamic music start?
To be honest, I didn’t know I could ever be where I am now in the Islamic music industry. Though I have the passion for music, but I didn’t know that Allah can graciously make me a star and make my works generally accepted by the people. My career started a long time ago, at a tender age, since I was in JSS1, but Allah made me prominent just about three years ago or thereabout, when I produced ‘Ogbe Okan’, and so far, so good. To be adjudged as the best female Islamic artiste by two prominent and highly respected media organizations is so humbling and redefining for me. I will forever be grateful to Allah for what He has done, concerning my life and also in my career and I will also thank my boss, promoter and marketer, Esan Sunday of OKIKI FILMS most profusely because he invested his money and his time in my career and gave me all the necessary encouragements to be where I am today.
You started singing from JSS1 class, what were your parents’ reactions then?
It was not easy then, especially for my dad who insisted he cannot allow me to sing or take part in the showbiz industry, because I was too small for the accompanying media blitz and volatility of the industry; but later on, he agreed. But I essentially started right from my primary school days at Ahmadiyya Primary School, Lagos Island.
Would you agree with that it was actually your dad’s mysterious disappearance that ultimately shot you to the limelight?
To be frank with you, it wasn’t really that incident; it was probably the sad incident that made people know more about me that I am a musician, because I was not too popular then; except for people in the Muslim circuit of Lagos Island, Ibadan and other southwest states who originally knew that I am a musician. It was only after I sang ‘Ayele’ and ‘My Father’ that people started recognizing me as a full-blown musician and you know when people are sympathizing with you for one reason or the other, it goes a long way with you and your career.
Why did you leave the arts for music because I learnt you studied Mass Communication?
My dad wanted me to go to the university but music is my passion. I attended Olabisi Onabanjo University, OOU, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, where I graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mass Communication. As for why I studied Mass Communication, it is because with that I will be conversant with different channels to communicate with people and since that is what I had wanted to do with my music from the initial stage.
Music has really shot you into the limelight, and you have won some awards, can you please mention some of these awards?
They are many, but in the recent past, just last year, I won the City People Entertainment Award as the Best Female Islamic Singer and shortly after that, I was recognized by the Islamic Music and Associated Nominees, (IMAN), as the Best Female Islamic Singer, not talk of couple of Islamic recognitions like Sheikha of Music; Amuludun of Islamic Music and so many others and the truth is that I have lost count of the awards and recognitions. Glory be to Almighty Allah. Though, awards to me are like propellers that make me to work harder to satisfy God and my teeming fans.
You are the face of Islamic Music now, what does that mean to you?
I feel so happy and my sincere gratitude goes to Almighty Allah (S.W.T), and more so, that singular attribute or appellation, means a lot to me, because being the face of the industry; the lovers of the industry, especially Muslims, will definitely want and expect more from me than before and by extension expect me to do extra work to the glorification of Allah and mankind.
You write most of your songs, what is your source of inspiration when are writing or composing songs?
I have a producer that is very deep and profound. His name is Kazeem Akogba. He writes most of my songs. All I do is to come up with the concept and he will translate those concepts and ideas into music. He writes most of the songs and I also write some as the inspiration comes. The passion for my religion and its doctrines inspire my compositions and especially my lyrics and also marriage and marital affairs are the motivating factors of my compositions. Mostly, I think about and dwell on what is happening in different homes, because majority of my songs are always about what is happening in different homes, which I now sing about as corrective measures.
As a mother, a wife and your music is about the home front, with a corporate executive husband, how does he feel about you as a musician?
I thank Almighty Allah for giving me an understanding husband, who loves my career as much as I do; though he met me as a singer and a musician and he has been supporting me all through with all his love and care. And I cannot but thank God Almighty; I have been performing my wifely duties properly without sacrificing them for my musical career. Let me use this opportunity to say a big Thank You to him for standing by me and for giving me all the needed support and encouragement.
How do your children feel when they watch your video on the TV?
My children are my number one fans; and they always feel happy seeing me on either the screen or on stage performing, their joy and happiness encourage me to do more.
How do you treat your voice?
My voice is natural, I don’t use anything. I take both cold and hot water. I don’t have any special treatment for my voice; besides I don’t need it because God has endowed me with a naturally distinct voice.
When you were growing up, what shaped you into what you are today, especially when you compare your time with what is happening with the kids of nowadays?
I give all the kudos to my dad; my upbringing was strict because my dad was a strict man and being the only female child in the family, then. My father brought me up with the strict Islamic background and orientation. I think my dad shaped me up when I was growing, and this has really helped me in my fledgling career, while I also try as much as possible to impact same discipline in my junior ones and even my children.
How do you feel not seeing your dad for almost five years and he is still reportedly missing?
It is not easy, I love him so much, he has always been there for me, he is my confidante and my everything, he is the one who taught me everything, to be sincere to you, he was even the one who bought me my first ever sanitary pad and bra. He is very close to me. He is a very caring father, I am closer to him than even my mom and till date I still strongly believe that my father is not dead and I believe he is still alive. I sorely miss his person and character-moulding traits. The laughter and sunshine he brings to peoples’ lives are being greatly missed in many quarters. I miss his teachings and the way he deprives himself of so many things to please and make people happy. My father could go hungry just to please people. My dad is the most caring father on earth, the best dad anybody can ever have; so very precious to me. He never spared the rod, he beat me severally. He loves his kids with passion and
insisted that we all follow the right path of Allah. I feel awesomely bad at the memory of his mysterious disappearance.
What informs your annual prayer for him, through feeding of widows and the less-privileged?
It’s a prayer for his somber remembrance and also to appeal to Allah to make him return back to us safely; the feeding of the widows is for their intercession and prayers to meet him anywhere he is. The event will continue to be an annual gathering of get-to-gather prayer/atonement session for him, until he returns home safely. The July 10 date will forever remain as a mark of honour in recalling his fond memories.
What is the next thing you are working in your musical career?
Presently, I have a couple of musical works to be released, namely ‘Oba Nla’ and ‘Ijo Ope’ featuring Fuji artiste, Sule Alao Malaika and foremost Islamic music singer, Saoty Arewa, and I am also in the studio working on my next album entitled ‘My Time’, which will be launched on 19 November, 2017 during an event tagged Imole Day 2017.
How many albums do you have so far to your credit?
I have six studio recording album ditto: Aye Le, My Father, Imole, Arinakore, Temitope and also have a joint collaboration effort with other Islamic music artistes and Fuji musician like Alao Jowujowu, Odun Ayo, Ogbe Okan, Eto Obirin, Agbokol’ori, Iyawo Obun to mention a few.
How do you feel about the music industry generally?
Generally, I can’t speak for the other genres in the industry, but the Islamic industry is gradually gaining presence in the entertainment sector and personally I’m putting in my best to teach and preach to people about good morals and virtues.
You go to shows regularly, who takes care of your infant kids when you are not around?
I do plan ahead before going for shows and I have house maids and siblings that assist me in looking after them while I’m away. But I am constantly in touch with them on phone to know about their welfare.
With your busy schedule, do you still have the time cook for your husband?
Yes of course, that is my major duty and like I said, it is all about planning and more so, my husband won’t allow anybody to cook for him except me.
In most of your musicals, it’s like you’re the uniting force bringing fading veterans in the Islamic sector back to music scene?
You are right in a sense, but what I am trying to do is to relive their memories and tap from their vast experience and versatility. In another sense, I am also tapping from their rich knowledge in a mutual way; thus further enhancing and advancing the horizon of the Islamic music genre, which these veterans actually originated. It is a symbiotic relationship which I am building up to accentuate the Islamic music industry.
Your dress sense is unique and basically Islamic. What informs your dress style?
You don’t expect anything different from my unique dress-sense, coming from a rich and profound Islamic background. My dress sense is symbolically Islamic and another way to propagate the religion in good light. We all know that Islam does not encourage indecent dressing in any way, especially for the female adherents, who must cover every salient part of their body from head to toe, without necessarily being obscene. That basically explains my style of dressing and this has almost become a signature tune for me for some time now and I can’t see myself adopting any other form of dressing.
What is your relationship with fellow artistes and your post in ISMAN?
I have a very cordial relationship with fellow artistes, whether contemporary, senior or junior ones. In the ISMAN, I participate actively in many capacities but specifically in the area of social coordination and membership drive at the Lagos State Chapter level.
What message do you have for your teeming fans?
They should keep on having faith in me, as I will never disappoint them as long as I remain in the industry. May Almighty Allah reward them abundantly.
