By Ayo Onikoyi

When you think of the talented songstress Ijeoma Ononobi, better known as Ijekimora, words like gifted, alluring, and beautiful come to mind.

Her unique blend of versatility, authenticity, and cultural appreciation has made her a standout artist in the music industry.

In a recent interview with Pot-Pourri, Ijekimora shared insights into her musical journey and what sets her apart as an artist. Speaking about her experience singing in Yoruba for her hit song Stand By Me, she described it as a “beautiful experience.” She admitted that learning the Yoruba part took some practice, but with help from native speakers, she was able to get the pronunciation and emotion just right.

“Learning the Yoruba part for “Stand By Me” was a beautiful experience. It took some practice, of course, but I had a lot of help from native speakers to get the pronunciation and emotion right. Singing in other dialects, especially one as rich as Yoruba, is significant for artistes because it connects us to a wider audience and bridges cultural gaps. It shows respect and appreciation for different cultures, which is essential in music”.

On the profitability of her music career, Ijekimora was candid about the rewards and challenges. “Music has been quite rewarding for me, both financially and in terms of personal fulfillment,” she noted. However, she also acknowledged the demanding nature of the industry, emphasizing the importance of investing as much as one hopes to earn. “If you want to make as much money, you have to invest as much. Otherwise, you would be disappointed,” she added.

When asked about her selling point as an artist, Ijekimora pointed to her versatility and authenticity. “I’m not afraid to blend different genres and influences, which gives my music a unique flavor,” she explained. “I’m also very true to myself in my music, and I think people connect with that honesty and passion.”

Ijekimora also shared some funny and memorable reactions from fans during her performances. “Because of my appearance, every time I step on stage, people always make a hell of noise, and it seems I cast a spell on them. Also there was this one time, during a performance, a fan got so excited that they started singing along to the wrong lyrics, but with so much confidence! We all had a good laugh, and it actually made the performance more memorable. Another time, someone threw a shoe on stage—not out of anger, but as a sign of respect, which I later found out is a thing in some cultures! It’s always interesting to see how different people express their love for the music”, she said.