On Friday, November 9, 2018, I was at The Redeemed Christian Church of God – Jesus Haven, Area 015, Oyo Province 4, Apapa Family, Sango Ota, Ogun state.
I got to the church, the venue of the live music recording, at fifteen minutes past three o’clock. The musical instruments and sound system were being set up by a music rental company in preparation for the live recording of the Legacy Project by the House of David choir. The recording was scheduled to begin at six o’clock that evening.
I met Mr. Ayodeji Ebadan, my host, the music director of this church and we had our interview in the church pastor’s office, away from the hustle and bustle of the preparation going on within and outside the church.
Read our interview below and get ready to be transformed by the music of the House of David’s Legacy Project.
DJ Irawo
Lagos is known to be the home of music and entertainment in Nigeria and not Ogun State. Mr. Ayodeji Ebadan, why have you decided to spend so much resources on a music project in this part of Nigeria?
Ebadan
It does not matter where we are. Whether one is under the ground or we are in the town of Ota, we must pursue the same goal like that of every Apapa Family church - EXCELLENCE.
Despite our location we are able to do whatever we can with available resources. It is about maximizing our resources, it is not about being the richest. It is about being able to use whatever resources at our disposal to produce tangible results.
Basically, Apapa Family is known for excellence in ministry.
When one meets an Apapa Family worshiper in the office, how we comport ourselves is different. Everything we do is excellence-oriented. This is why you will find this kind of event happening in Ota.
DJ Irawo
Does the Apapa Family originate from a branch in Apapa, Lagos?
Ebadan
Yes, that is right. The Apapa Family originated from RCCG Freedom Hall, Apapa but now the headquarters of the Apapa Family worldwide is the RCCG City of David, Victoria Island, That is, Region 20. Basically, our source is from the City of David. It is now headed by Pastor Idowu Iluyomade.
DJ Irawo
You have been the music director for Jesus Haven for about thirteen years. What has been your experience?
Ebadan
I have been a member of Jesus Haven for fifteen years and a music director for thirteen years.
The experience has been amazing.
However, I have experienced lows and highs and everything in-between but I am driven by the vision of the church. So, in whatever situation I find myself I will keep on pursuing the vision. This church is very fortunate and blessed.
DJ Irawo
Could you dwell on your personal experience here?
Ebadan
It has been wonderful. It is a family church. It is a wonderful family church. You would have met my pastor if not for some exigencies. He is quite busy now. This is his office. We know one another. We relate to one another like brothers and sisters. My pastor is my brother and that is the similar relationship that I have with everyone here. This good relationship is what has kept me in this church.
For me to spend fifteen years here it means that I am enjoying what I am seeing. It is not very easy but God has made it possible. How old am I that I have spent fifteen years in a particular church?
So, it has been an amazing place. It is a great place. Since I joined the church, it is as if I should not leave. The atmosphere is wonderful.
The priority of this church is worship and relationship. What else can one expect from a good church especially for a musically inclined person like me?
If my pastor’s priority is worship then I want to stay here and not where the congregation does not value music or value what I do as a music minister.
DJ Irawo
How did you arrive at the name of the choir; House of David?
Ebadan
This church is nineteen years old. I joined when the church was four years old and I met it as House of David. We took it up from there and believed God that this same name, that was a small name, would be great.
At some point, we were only four people in the choir. Today, we are twenty-two. At that point, it was not easy. I had to program the drums and bass guitar on the keyboard for praise worship and choir ministrations. There were only two singers back then.
We had a beginner drummer at the time.
Today, we have five musicians. We never gave up on our dreams for the future. To the glory of God, here we are having a live music recording.
This shows that we have really moved forward.
DJ Irawo
Indeed, you have. You call the project a Legacy Project. Is that the title of the music album?
Ebadan
Yes, that is the title of the album.
DJ Irawo
How did you arrive at this name?
Ebadan
The choir is about to experience a change of levels. We are going from being an ordinary church choir to becoming a professional music choir and this is our launching pad.
We have a dream of making this House of David the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir of Nigeria and this is the launching pad and the threshold and a definite point in the life of this group that we can always refer to.
In this album, you will dance, you will worship and you will also take time to reflect upon the goodness of Jesus. It is a robust album. It is a legacy.
Every time we look back we will know that it is from this point that this choir moved up to the next level.
DJ Irawo
How many songs will be on this album?
Ebadan
The album will contain seven tracks, by the grace of God. As of today, we have planned seven tracks for the album.
DJ Irawo
Do you intend to sell this album?
Ebadan
We intend to sell Platinum. Platinum is a million copies.
DJ Irawo
With the introduction of piracy in the market how do you intend to sell so many albums?
Ebadan
We will leverage the digital space. The digital platform is our focus and what we are trying to produce is exportable. Basically, it is local content that we can export to the world. The music can be understood everywhere in the world.
By God’s grace, we will go on ITunes, Shuzia.com, Spiricoco.com and Boom Play. We will get the music everywhere.
We will also sell compact discs; premium quality CDs.
We know that our compact discs may not be available for export to the United States of America, for example. Who will buy it? So, digital streaming is the way forward.
Basically, for this music project we will leverage on the digital streaming online platforms.
DJ Irawo
What musical instruments do you play?
Ebadan
I play five musical instruments. I play drums (drums set and conga), keyboard, bass guitar and lead guitar.
DJ Irawo
Do you sing?
Ebadan
Yes, I do. In this album, I will be leading two songs. I play the keyboard and sing simultaneously.
DJ Irawo
Where did you learn to play these musical instruments? Did you attend a music school?
Ebadan
I have never attended a music school. I joined the choir in 1994. I am talented in playing musical instruments. The musical instruments that I went out of my way to really learn are the drums. My church sponsored my drum classes.
So, when will the album be released?
Ebadan
It will be released on December 23, 2018 by God’s grace. It will also be our annual concert.
DJ Irawo
Asides from being a music director at Jesus Haven, what else do you do for a living?
Ebadan
I am a media practitioner. I help businesses become visible for profit making.
I run a digital printing press and I am publisher.
DJ Irawo
Mr. Ayodeji Ebadan, thank you for your time. We eagerly await the launching of the Legacy Project on December 23rd, 2018.
Ebadan
Thank you, DJ Irawo.
I waited for a while to watch the live music recording before leaving Ota, Ogun state for the comfort of my bed in Lagos.
No comments:
Post a Comment