by ‘Jola Sotubo
After a 2 year hiatus from the Nigerian music industry, singer Modupe “Mo’Cheddah” Ola is back with a bang.
The star recently released an Indian-like love song titled “Destinambari” and the single has enjoyed rave reviews since it dropped.
Mo’Cheddah had a sit-down with YNaija during which she opened up on her new song, rumoured engagement and much more.
Read interview below:
YN: Why did you choose the name “Destinambari” for your new single?
Mo’Cheddah: Destinambari was coined from an Indian movie named “Dos Ambari” and it was about love just like my song is. It also means the number 10 and I loved that as well. I chose the name because it would strike a chord with people and is something they are likely to remember.
YN: So do you love Indian movies?
Mo’Cheddah: I didn’t really grow up with the craze of Indian movies so I had to do research for the song but what I like about Bollywood is how easily they burst into song and all the love the movies portray. I also used an Indian theme because I wanted people to be able to relate to it.
YN: You slipped parts of an old Yoruba wedding song into Destinambari? Why?
Mo’Cheddah: Destinambari is a love song and the supposed end point for love is marriage, that’s why I put that in there. Destinambari is a way to say that this love is for better or worse, all or nothing.
YN: Love songs were never really your thing in the past but this new song is a departure from your former image? What happened?
Mo’Cheddah: I would say it’s growth. I grew up and found out a lot about myself and my priorities changed. This softer side is a new part of me, it’s a new me basically.
YN: You were on a break from music for quite a while, was this intentional?
Mo’Cheddah: It was intentional because when you drop an album, it’s healthy to take a break and that’s what I did. Each album takes a lot out of you and if you don’t take a break, you might crash. People in this part of the world believe that you need to keep going but it shouldn’t be so. I started music at a very young age and I achieved so much, won a number of awards and I just decided that it was the perfect time for me to rest and get refreshed.
YN: There have been rumours on social media that you got engaged recently, is this true?
Mo’Cheddah: I am not engaged. I usually don’t comment on things like this because there’s something in the news everyday but for the record, no I’m not engaged.
YN: You’ve been looking very fit and toned lately, what made you decide to develop a healthier lifestyle?
Mo’Cheddah: It happened during my break as well. I’ve always been thin so I thought I was fine. However, I realized later that I wanted something more. I wanted a good, healthy body and so I started working out and I’m loving it.
YN: Do you have any other new songs on the way?
Mo’Cheddah: Yes I do. I was recording music during my break and some of the songs will be out soon. I worked with TY Mix, Chopstix and Destinambari was with Cobhams. I will be releasing the songs one after the other.
YN: What’s the most unfair thing that has been said about you?
Mo’Cheddah: I think all of it is unfair. As long as it’s not true, it’s unfair. People tend to forget that celebrities are human beings too, it used to hurt when I was younger but I’ve learned to ignore it.
YN: What do you think about the recently passed anti-gay law?
Mo’Cheddah: I believe that anything people do behind closed doors that doesn’t affect anybody else is nobody’s business.
YN: There was a bombing in Abuja yesterday, how did hearing the news make you feel?
Mo’Cheddah: It’s heartbreaking and I’m very scared. My heart breaks every time I hear such news because losing a loved one is no joke and I can just imagine how hard it is for those whose family members died. I don’t want us to sit back and think it doesn’t concern us, it could be anybody. Something must be done about it.
YN: What is the one thing that you want everyone who meets you to know about Mo’Cheddah?
Mo’Cheddah: I want people to know that I’m a happy person and I always have a smile for everyone. I want people to smile when they see me.
OMG im a huge fun of Mo’…im obsessed with Destinambari…she is such a humble young lady i love her!!! She will go places #GodBless