Dele Agbeyo popularly called Dele Gold is one of Nigeria’s Finest and most talented, Musician, who has carved a niche for himself in the music industry, coining the Miliki genre in Nigeria’s music industry with his highly energetic, innovative and original tunes. He spoke exclusively in this interview with City People SUNDAY ADIGUN on how he started.
Can we meet you Sir?
My name is Dele Agbeyo, popularly known as Dele Gold, I’m from Usi Ekiti in Ekiti State, I’m a Gospel Singer by the grace of God.
Let’s talk about your Journey into the Music industry, how did it all start?
It all started as a teenager, I always dreamt of seeing myself composing and singing but in reality I do not sing, as a matter of fact I never thought of becoming an artiste, so, I became uncomfortable each time I went to church, but here I am today, to the glory of God.
Your style of Music is similar with that of Ebenezer Obey, King Sunny Ade, and late Baba Ara. Are they your role models or mentors?
Truly they are my bosses that I respect so much in the industry. But my own inspiration was given to me by God. I’m just like an Empty vessel, that God decided to use, there are lots of things I do that I don’t know where the inspiration comes from, the only thing I do ask God when I was young is to bless me. Sources of my music were never mine and can never be mine.
What has been the acceptability of your song in the market and what were the challenges you are facing as a gospel musician
The very first challenge I faced was to let people accept my kind of Music in a situation whereby you have a new album coming out, you need to understand the system, because you don’t expect them to accept you so easily especially when you are not singing what they are used to, my songs are scriptural based, that is why I sing with some of the Yoruba proverbs to teach people, especially the younger ones lessons. So, to think people will accept it easily, it’s a joke, people will dance to the song they know from A-Z but the one you composed yourself, you have a lot of work to do even to convince them to listen to the messages in the song. So those were the challenges we faced at the initial stage, but to the glory of God, people are now getting used to our kind of music. Every musician must have their own Original product not adulterated ones, your music is your product, we must always challenge ourselves not to get used to singing other people songs or church songs, so my music is my product, if they accept it, praise God, if they don’t praise God, all I know is that I want to leave a good Legacy for my children through my kinds of song, Baba Obey will always be Baba Obey till eternity, why? Because he has never sang to impress anybody, baba KSA will always be KSA. Both of them were not easily accepted when they started but today none of their songs is meaningless both old and new. Let’s be sure of what we are giving out. Egberun Ahon one of my albums deals with our culture. I want my children to see all my products as their inheritance.
Now talking of the acceptability it has been wow, though it was a 50-50 chance when I started, I took the risk of going about with my lyrics. I so much believe in my lyrics till today, when people see me they embrace me, that simply tells me it pays to be focused in life. Because our songs Egberun Ahon and infinite God are selling fast in the market, people are beginning to reckon with my songs, though we have one video, we are still working on others.
What advice do you have for the younger ones out there?
In anything you do in life don’t take credit of the success. Also don’t be too focused on money, learn to develop whatever talent God has given you, believe in God and be focused.
