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Ibiyemi’s vocal is like the evening breeze – soft, smooth, tempting, and nostalgic. You feel like you’ve heard it before; but still has its touch of uniqueness. Born in San Francisco, California; Ibiyemi might not be your sexy ready-to-stride-in-lingerie kind of singer; but she’s got her singing on a high with a kind of music she calls, Urban Soul. Ibiyemi’s sounds are cerebral, and her lyrics are a little more elaborate than the run-off-the-mill stripper drone we are used to.  

She started singing professionally in 2003, and has been influenced over the years by great musicians like Marvin Gaye, Mary J Blige and our very own, Asa. If you sense a similarity in vocals and lyrics of both artistes, you are not too far from the truth. There’s a connection, and yet, a detachment as both women still manage to sing with individual voices which earn distinct respect. This is good for Ibiyemi; as she paves her way through a growing industry.

‘I’m trying to walk my own path,’ she enthuses as she has her Ipod concurrently playing the hits ‘Collide’ by Howie Day, ‘Run’ by Leona Lewis, ‘Knock You Down’ by Keri Hilson, and ‘Strong Thing’ by Banky W.

She takes me back to her moment of self-recognition, when she was only a teenager in school singing to nobody in particular, but getting the attention of a superstar, as Dorm mates would gather to hear her hit one note after the other. ‘It was a good feeling.  I realized not only could I sing, but people enjoyed it!’ You could say that was her eureka moment; and as the saying goes, nothing could stop the little happy bird from singing henceforth!

Her entrance into the local scene was one emotional experience; but Ibiyemi remains grateful for a lot of things.  ‘It’s been rewarding so far. I feel a sense of peace knowing I am doing what I was born to do.’

Not giving into the trend of rap and mainstream hip hop, she believes as long as music is good, the audience will respond to it. ‘My greatest challenge has been proving to doubters that Nigerians just want good music! It’s that simple. There’s a place for Hip- hop, Soul, High-life etc. Some genres may be more popular, but in the end if the music is good, people want to hear it.’ It is easy for Ibiyemi to find her niche in the industry in no time. She’s not just a pretty face, but one with great skills and an interesting voice.

‘It’s been very challenging but fascinating. I had been writing songs for many years prior but I cut my teeth vocally, singing in the choir, doing back- up vocals for established acts. I learnt from a lot of mistakes I experienced and saw. I also joined a band and served as lead singer for over a year so I understood the power of connecting with an audience on stage and the power of live music even as I was recording music of my own. By the time I started performing my own songs, I felt comfortable on stage.’

Ibiyemi’s tracks may warm you up nicely, but having a hit song is a totally different feeling. Surprisingly, she feels no fuss to measure up to that expectation as she is certain she’s on the right track.  ‘A hit song gets you through the door - true, but consistency keeps you in the room. A hit sets a standard for you as an artiste. The fans have expectations and you have to work hard to keep meeting those expectations. I intend to meet that challenge and having the right team behind you also helps you reach your goal as an artiste.’

It seems the Urban Soul artiste is yet to be beaten by the diva bug. She still wears a casual mien and a comfortable smile. But she has experienced a truck load of ego issues displayed by fellow music people.

‘Ha! I could write a book! I’ve seen squabbles backstage for different reasons... artistes trying to perform ahead of each other...Comperes going on stage announcing the wrong artistes and thereby infuriating and offending others tonthe extent that shows are cancelled. DJ’s cutting the sound mid performance because an artiste has used up his/her time slot but refuses to get off stage...’

Admiring her simple demeanour, I wonder what she thinks of the trend on sexuality and music as it is today especially in Nigeria where every female artiste wants to take off her clothes or every male artiste features a skimpily dressed model for videos.

‘I just believe that isn’t for me, that’s not my modus operandi. If it works for you, fine but it isn’t for me. I don’t believe in the use of sexuality to promote music or anything else for that matter. Statistics have shown that all over the world sex does sell. But guess what, quality does as well. I think music/artistes should be marketed based on their merits alone and not on how raunchy the video or artistes are.’

Ibiyemi’s music feels therapeutic in a way. She is hopefully looking forward to working alongside international acts like Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean. ‘They are on my top list!’ she states.

The beauty of where she is today is in the possibility of hope. ‘Nothing inspires like hope – the brilliance of tomorrow.’

We are expectantly looking forward to her boom day! When she explodes like an atomic bomb, shaking the foundations of music-dom. And while we wait, Ibiyemi is certainly taking her music globally – one city at a time.

- Joy Isi Bewaji for Tansali.com

WATCH IBIYEMI LATEST VIDEO  http://www.tansali.com/videos/view/ibiyemi---don39t-leave-me_5147.html

WATCH IBIYEMI'S DEBUT SINGLE HERE  http://www.tansali.com/members/profile/894/video/5191