Onos, upcoming gospel act…

Upcoming gospel act, Onoriode Bikawei, popularly known as Onos hit the music scene recently with her debut album, Keep Moving.
This singer and French graduate who hails from Delta State, was inspired as a child by notable singers both within and outside Nigeria. She is currently the lead vocalist at House on the Rock Church, Lagos.

Onos spoke with Kate Halim recently on her love for music, how the challenges of life bring out the best in her and why she is not searching as a single lady. Excerpts:

What fired your love for music?
“Music has always been a part of me. Growing up as a child and listening to the likes of Whitney Houston, Mary Mary, Fred Hammond, Boys ll Men, Fela and Onyeka Onwenu helped sharpen my desire to sing. These artistes helped in building the gift in me.”

What genre of music do you play?
“My music is a combination of different styles, Hip hop, Afro, RnB, Soul. With my album, I am introducing versatility in the music industry.”

What should the music industry expect with your debut album?
“With my debut album Keep Moving, the industry should expect a new sound and flavour, especially in the gospel region. This is because I am a gospel act.”

Why Keep Moving?
“Keep Moving is self explanatory. From the phrase itself, you can get the general message I am trying to pass across to my listeners. Looking at the challenges and things happening around us and in the world today, people need lots of encouragement and affirmation that things are going to get better if only they just keep their heads up high and move.”

Parental support
“My parents have been very supportive from the onset. They have always believed in my dreams. They created the right avenues in making my dream a reality.”

Challenges
“Challenges in the music industry vary depending on the angle you want to take it from. Challenges are made to make us better individuals and not to leave us worse off.”

Role models
“My role model is firstly God. Others who inspire me to move ahead and fight for what I believe in are Pastor Paul and Pastor lfeanyi Adefarasin.”

Inspiration
“First, it comes from God. Other sources of inspiration for me include different things that happen around me. They inspire me to write my songs.”

What do you love most about life?
“I love life’s challenges because they help to bring out the best in me.”

Greatest fear
“Failure. I dread it like nothing else. It is bad to fail.”

Impact in the industry
“By releasing quality songs. Songs of good production quality, doing great videos to promote the songs and building a strong brand.”

Are you married?
“I am not married, yet, and I am not searching. Marriage is sacred and it must be engaged in with all seriousness and tact. It is not a play thing at all.”

Ideal man
“My ideal man should be God fearing, intelligent and very focused. He must be willing to support my dreams. He must be handsome too.”

Background
“My full name is Onoriode Bikawei. I am from a family of eight. I hail from Delta State where l also had my primary, secondary and tertiary education. l studied French at the Delta State University. For me, growing up was fun because l had places and opportunities to express myself musically. I have a strong personality, I am bold and firm. I am also a goal getter, focused, determined, self-motivated. I love creativity because I am fun loving and a good leader.”

Did you abandon your profession?
“I never said I did. I just released an album and that doesn’t stop me from speaking French or doing my French translations. My songs can be translated to French and sang in French speaking countries when the need arises.”

Nigerian youths
“I want them to know that the future of the nation lies in their hands and they can make a difference if they start now. The happenings around them might not be encouraging sometimes, but in their hands lie the power to cause changes. They should not give room for excuses but should be positive in their thoughts, actions, attitudes and keep moving.”

What else do you want God to do for you?
“I want God to make Onos a strong brand in and out of Africa. A brand synonymous with originality, excellence and innovation.”

How do you relax?
“I love to watch movies. I also hang out with close friends and listen to music by different artistes. I also window shop.”

Sense of style
“My style is simple and trendy. I also like to promote the Africn fabric (Ankara) as much as I can.”

Any last words for your fans?
“l love you all and don’t stop dreaming. If you can see it, then you can be it. All you have to do is keep moving.”

Greatest dream in life
“My greatest dream is to be the best in all I do especially in my career. To be very impactful and to make Onos brand globally recognized.”