By Iyabo Aina

Goddess of the talking drum as she is fondly called, Aralola Olumuyiwa,aka Ara is not your everyday musician. As one of Africa’s leading female drummers and singers, Ara has carved a niche for herself in the nation’s music scene. Few years ago, she got married to her ex-husband, Prince Nurudeen Olalekan Saliu, a marriage she once described as her greatest undoing.

In this interview with Weekend Groove, Ara explains why she has been off-the scene in recent times, her present predicaments, ongoing project and life as a single mother.

How long have you been wearing your braids?

I’ve been wearing the braids for 16 years now. Some time ago, I removed it to allow my scalp rest. Also, any time I am wearing the braids, there are certain things I can’t do just as there are places I cannot visit. The reason is that my hairdo is my signature. But, whenever I’m rocking another hairdo, I can go anywhere.

You’re still looking cool as a single mother. What’s the secret?

It’s because I’ve been off the scene for some time now, and during this period, I had enough time to relax.

Are you working on any project?

Yes, I am working on my album. I just finished shooting the video for the collabo I did with Puffytee, titled “Your Lover”. I also did a song titled “Ara De” featuring M.I and we are shooting the video in Abeokuta at the moment.

The storyline of the first song “Your Lover” is about two lovers who couldn’t express their love for each other because of pride, and” Ara De” is announcing my return to the music industry because I’ve not been active in the industry in recent times.

I do my shows both locally and internationally, but the people who seem to dominate the space are the hip-hop artistes. The likes of Lagbaja,Femi Kuti and myself are mainly known for shows and they belong to the same class with me. Today, what is in vogue is hip-hop, and you don’t get to hear much about our kind of songs.

So, what I’m doing presently is to re-invent the brand called, Ara. Thereafter, I will do a few commercial songs without losing the essence of the Ara brand. This, however, will give people the opportunity to listen to the Ara sound as I perfect plans to drop my maiden album in my over 25 years as a performer.

What other things do you do to support your musical career?

Life has been a mixture of the good and the bad, in the sense that I have been opportuned to travel far and wide, doing shows. As Ara, I have my style of music and every artiste has got his or her own style. But, at some point motherhood came calling, and at another point, I was married. I had my baby and at the same time, my marriage crashed.

I was down because I didn’t pray for it. But later on, I picked myself up and moved on. I’ve been doing my shows as I used to. But aside music, I engage myself in other businesses such as pursuing contracts and getting involved in philanthropic enterprise. I also run a boutique, a salon and I am an entrepreneur.

Would there ever be a second chance for another man in your life?

Definitely! Even though it took me several years for the wound to heal. But I will definitely give a second chance for any man that will come into my life. Presently, I am still very single. I’ve been dating on and off after my marriage crashed. But I have been careful not to get messed-up or build unnecessary noise around my private life. For those who see me as their role model, I am very single and will definitely get married again.

What do you look out for in a man?

First, he should be a man after my heart and a man who has a good heart. Men will always be men and one cannot take that fact away from them. Likewise women will always be women and you cannot take that away from us. But a man who has a good heart and a conscience, who loves children because I have a son and is able to accept my son as his. A man who is not intimidated by successful women.

How do you describe your experience working with 2Face?

2Face and I have come a long way after we worked with the same producer, Nelson Brown. We ran into each other at Ice Prince’s album launch. We were all over each other because it’s been 16 years since we lost contact. There and then, we decided to do a collaboration. Fortunately for me, I was already working on the remix of one of the oldies of Chief Ebenezer Obey. It occurred to me to kick start the project. We recorded the song and shot the video. It was beautiful and 2Face is a nice man.

Did you get an approval from Ebenezer Obey before remixing his song?

It was really funny for me. I had recorded the song and shot the video before going to Baba. I kept having it at the back of my mind to see him, but he wasn’t around. So, I decided to go ahead with the work before 2Face also travelled out of the country. After shooting the music video, I bought some things to pay homage to Baba. He had given me an appointment.

When I got there, I knelt down and told him what I had done. The response I got was that he already had it on his iPad. I was so ashamed of myself but he encouraged me and told me that he was proud of me. He prayed for me endlessly. That was one of the most beautiful days of my life. I am really grateful to him for that.

One unfortunate thing was that I couldn’t do a remix with the late Fatai Rolling Dollar. He invited me severally, but we never had the chance to do it

What transpired between you and your ex-husband?

A lot! But you’ll get to hear what happened in my song. I wrote a song for my son title “Ire” which happens to be my son’s name. In that song, I was telling him why I had to leave his father. When he’s of age, he will understand why I walked out of my marriage. For every time I cried and everything I had to endure I did them for him.

So, there is no way I am going to talk extensively about it otherwise it will look as if I’m throwing a punch at someone. No matter what happened, he still remains the father of my son. Though he’s married now with kids.

How is your son doing?

I thank God, he is doing well.

What would you say you miss about your ex?

Nothing!

What does sex mean to you?

It’s beautiful and passionate. But I can do without sex for three years

How are you coping as a single parent?

It has not been easy at all, because of my lifestyle. I have refused to be everywhere, I guard my heart jealously. I believe you have to write me a letter, court me, and know me very well before you can marry me. I still believe in love, I believe in keeping my values. But I am afraid to get involved emotionally; I am on the defensive now.