Chasing my dreams

Dreams are only dreams until you seize the opportunities of reality.

I have always wanted to be an entertainer. I wasn't really sure which line to go as I had many interests: music (songwriting especially), dance, creative writing, acting (though the fear of stammering wouldn't let me give acting much thought).


Well, for the love of music, I've tried to seize every opportunity to make songs. After medical school in Enugu, Nigeria, I partnered with 2 very talented friends to make an album. We called ourselves D.M.B, acronym for The Mixed Beed. We sold a few CDs though the quality was really poor and we got separated in a short while. I think 'twas mainly because we never had a vision of where we were going as a group. We were just 3 passionate singers excited to explore our talents. I had jumped at the opportunity to experience recording songs without much thought because one of us had already written all the songs and we had a readily available studio. So after then, with my new experience of recording music, I recorded my first single Adjust produced by Mr. Moi. Then I did Try featuring my colleague in medicine and music, NC and produced by Grandmix. It came out really good. I performed it twice at Association of Resident Doctors dinner and Nigerian Medical Association dinner in Enugu, Nigeria, though the performances were nothing to write home about.


Then I did another song which was never completed by my producer, then Paulo produced by Typikl. That was how I spent the most of my Housemanship money making music.

During my National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Lagos state 2014/15, I joined the Music Community Development Service group. As our project, we produced a song to promote peace during the Presidential elections titled Living in peace, which I wrote with Wale Wall and Bryan. Then I did Superman produced by Cikk0 which I released 2nd January this year.

So I had my first stage performance in the UK on the 1st of April at the University of Nottingham Nigerian Society annual entertainment and award night Wazobia. When I was invited by the president of the association to perform, I saw it as an opportunity to sharpen my talent but I developed cold feet as the day drew nearer. I had tried to push it off my mind with school and work until I saw my name on the flier one day and I knew it was a done deal. It was too late to chicken out. 

I had so many things to be worried about— the fact that my last song performance 'Try' was a disaster or so I thought. And did I even have time to rehearse as I wanted to have dancers and I had only 1 week? Where would I even get dancers? How much crowd was I to expect? Would they have a good sound system? Plus my Advanced Statistics exam was in the same week of the show. I could only pray to God for help and wisdom. The D day came as all dreaded days do. I performed my song Superman and it was a great success. All I heard after were compliments like, "that was fantastic", "you guys did great", "wow! you can dance", e.t.c. To God be the glory. I appreciate Gloria and Lois, my great dancers who believed in me. Also, many thanks to Kindels for the choreography.

About dance, my earliest memory of dance was in nursery/primary school when I was to lead a cultural dance group, then I danced on stage during social nights in secondary school, then in 5th year medical school I joined a church dance group, then during NYSC I attended DanceDeal Academy. While in Lagos for NYSC, I also began to act stage dramas with Snapshot Productions, the drama group of Covenant Christian centre. So every where I go, I seize opportunities to exercise my gifts. Church has been a very good platform for this as each time I change location and therefore join a new church, I join the choir. There's nothing as liberating as when I'm in a music studio getting a beat for my song, or dancing on stage or reading comments on my blog post. God has helped me overcome many fears and go for my passion. But I could still be quite confused a lot of times.


I have very big dreams for entertainment that I can't even imagine how to achieve. But I'll keep exercising my gift one opportunity at a time while enjoying the process. Are you confused about what path to take? Just take up one opportunity at a time, every chance you get to exercise that gift. 

©Radiant~ April 2017

To watch the video of the performance, click here.
Btw, I'm sorry my posts have not been quite frequent since I came to the UK. Trying to balance school and fun. Have a blessed day.