“I’m looking forward to more accomplishments, organic connections and creativity.”
– Dolapothevibe
In an industry well dominated by men, few ladies have come to the fore to showcase their skill and battle it out with the men for a upperhand in the industry. Honorable female acts such as Tiwa Savage, Asa and recent times, Tems and Ayra Starr have laid a template for female artists to follow to stardom. That has proved fruitful and it has led to the rise of a new budding act.
DolapoTheVibe, a fast rising Nigerian Afrobeats act is one of the ambitious female acts out there to grace the Nigerian Music Industry. As persistent and strong-willed as she is, she continues to navigate through the difficult conditions that the new generations face to have a share of the market.
We had the opportunity to squeeze in an interview with the always busy DolapoTheVibe who always seems to work with time. In this piece, we discussed in details about her personality and music career which dates back to 2019.
Q: Let us in on details about yourself.
A: My name is Adedolapo Adekanbi. I’m Nigerian-American. I’m a singer and songwriter. I did all my schooling in Nigeria before I moved to America. I currently serve in the US Army as a sergeant and I have been in service for nearly six years now.
Q: Wow, the US Army? That’s big. How has it been managing your music career coupled with the time you spend in service at the Army.
A: Coping with military and my musical career has been good honestly. I just focus on what needs to be focused on by taking one day at a time while also praying to God for strength. The challenges I have faced concerning that would be the flexibility of my time. I’m not really flexible with my time, sometimes I get calls for shows and studio sessions and I have to leave the country, but I cannot because the kind of job I have is not a job you can just pack your bags and leave. So, those are the challenges I face. Sometimes, I intend do music when I get home after work, but I can’t because I’m so tired. But other than that, it has been good, just the issue of little time for so much work to be done.
Q: So, what idea came first ? Music or Military?
A: Yeah, the military idea came first but the music has always been a part of me. While I was in Nigeria, I was in my church choir for 4 years and it was a fantastic experience for me. I think that was how I got groomed and discovered that I had a talent that could turn me into something. But, yes the military idea came first.
[LISTEN] Nowo by DolapoTheVibe.
Q: Cool. Let’s dive into you specifically as an artiste. Which Nigerian acts were your early influences?
A: I would say Asa, 2Baba and Wizkid.
Q: What was so special about them?
A: Growing up, I listened to a whole lot of 2Face Idibia. For me, 2Face always stood out among the music group, Plantashun Boiz. There was just something about his vocal delivery, how subtle he was and the lyrics he had to share with the world. There was something about his tune that appealed to me even though in the whole group, we had Black face and Faze. Faze was probably the best singer in the group because he had a very serious range but for some reason 2Face appealed so much to me. His vocal delivery and style appealed to me and when I started doing music, I adopted some of his techniques unconsciously. I did not even know I did. Well, that is because I listened to him a lot.
A: What really inspires me about Asa is how raw her music is. It’s so raw and undiluted and it reminds me of something so original and straight from the heart. I listened to Asa a lot in university and I remember buying her album CD in traffic and listening to them in my car. I would listen to it till it scratch and I bought lots of copies of her ‘Asa[Asha]’ album. Asa’s music was just very original even though it appealed to my soul and spirit, I did not even know why I liked it, it just went with me, it was very peaceful for me and I enjoyed every bit of it.
A: For Wizkid, he was that symbol of hope that made everybody that ever thought about doing music really more inspired and believe more in themselves. Everyone would be like if this boy can do it then I can too. He was someone within our age grade and back then we only use to have OGs in singing at the time. When he came out with the song with M.I and then on Holla At Your Boy, it was just inspiring to watch his drive and how he hungry he was as well as his talents. If I’ll be honest with you, I did not have any intentions to go into music making at the time, I knew I had the talents but then I was not really ready to be an artist.
Q: Wow, I like the breakdown. So when did you start music professionally?
A: It’s been 3 years now since I started. That was 2019.
Q: What made you decide to make the jump into music?
A: My decision to start creating music came from the fear of leaving planet earth without sharing my gift with the universe. I discovered I would not like that so I made the important move.
Q: Cool. So how’s it been since you started ?
A: It’s been one exciting ride. First of all, I want to give thanks to God for my journey so far. I would say I am not doing bad as an independent artist, I’m just taking it one step at a time and pushing it in my own capacity in a way that it would not break my back regarding the finances and every other thing that has to do with music and the business. It’s been very humbling, educative and mind opening. I’ve learned a lot of things since the few years I started (laughs).
[LISTEN] Nowo by DolapoTheVibe.
Q: I listened to your project ‘Unanticipated’ EP when it was released in 2020. I was attracted to the name which was exactly what prompted me to listen. Can you tell us how you came about ‘TheVibe’ added to your birth name.
A: I initially started with Dolapo as my stage name. When I dropped my first single, I dropped it as Dolapo. Later, I realized someone else had that name then I had to switch it up. DolapoTheVibe is a God given name. I did not have to copy anybody. It just came to me just as the record ‘Owo’ came to me. I just woke up one morning and it was just in my head. All these years I prayed to God to give me a name that would be befitting and honestly if you meet you would know why they call me DolapoTheVibe and that is because I’m the vibe. (smiles)
Q: Okay, DolapoTheVibe. Let’s talk about your “Unanticipated” EP which happens to be the only project in your discography so far.
A: The EP was something I put out because of the feedbacks from the singles I dropped, shout out to everyone that worked with me and help me bring the project to life.
Q: You had some top names like Peruzzi and Barry Jhay on the EP. How did the collaboration come about?
A: I give all the glory to God. God sent me help from heaven, that’s really how the collaborations came about. It was not man made.
[LISTEN] Nowo by DolapoTheVibe.
Q: Wow, that’s great. Moving on, we have had series of singles since that project, and there’s another one coming soon, what’s different in this new single?
A: Every single I drop is never the same. I’m using the singles to build my portfolio and fan base. I won’t starve my fans cos I’m unable to afford a collaboration. What’s different about this new single is the timing and the message that comes with it.
Q: I like your approach. So we should expect something better?
A: When you hear am you go feel am no worry (smiles)
Q: I will like you to share a little bit of the next steps you intend to take to grow as an artist.
A: To grow as an artist you need to really dedicate a lot of time. I’m hoping I’m able to dedicate more time to my craft. Although I need to pay my bills but the hustle must continue. I won my first award this year and I know there’s a lot more God has in plan for me. I’m looking forward to more accomplishments, organic connections and creativity. My goal is to be able to write a song in 30 minutes with a message and not gibberish. I will achieve that goal!
Q: What’s the update on your next project?
A: I’m already working on it. It should be released next year, by God’s grace.
Q: Do you have any message you would like us to relay to your fans out there?
A: I would like to thank every single person out there listening to my music. God bless you.
Dolapothevibe has just recently released her vibrant new single “Nowo” on all platforms. Check it out here!
