Artist: Rachael Olubukola Akinade
Akinade started singing when she was six – as a member of the Juvenile Choir of St. David Anglican Cathedral, Kudeti, in West Africa’s largest city. While such an experience has positively worked for her, however, it was her adaptation of Senwele, a Yoruba traditional musical form popularised by Iya Laduke, to Christian music that gave her the winning identity.
The artiste who started her elementary education at Public Day Pry School, Eleta, Ibadan attended Eleta High School, Academy; after which she studied Secretarial Administration at the Polytechnic, in the same city. Later, she and two other members of her church‘s choir formed the band that is now 21 members strong.
Her maiden album titled Orisun Ayo (Source of Joy) was released in 2000, followed by Beautiful Testimonies (2002), O Favour mi (2003), Mo Precious (2005), Ogo to Unique (2007) and Open Heaven (2008).
In terms of her strength, Akinade gives it to her husband, Akinlolu. ”My husband is everything to me,” she confesses. ”God is using him in a tremendous way in this ministry. He manages the band. He is an instrumentalist and singer. His unflinching support in moral, financial and spiritual development cannot be quantified, I give glory to God for everything.”
On her most memorable day as an artiste, Senwele Jesu says, ”The happiest day in my life is when I heard my maiden album aired on a radio station and the second day is my wedding day. Whenever I remember both days, I always give thanks and praises to God Almighty.”
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