Dear Aunty Tope Alabi

Dear Aunty Tope Alabi, 

Your songs are my morning doze. The way your songs have influenced my life, not a single ink can fully express it. I understand better now that there’s no language in terms of speaking, writing, listening that can beat one’s mother tongue. I abhorred Yoruba because I was doing badly in English Language in high school. Just imagine that. 

In truth, listening to your songs have resonated a certain kind of belonging that’s so unreal. Aunty Tope, I dare not call you by first name only. Your consistency over the years still amazes me. You’re our own Kirk Franklin in terms of longe
vity and relevance in the Nigerian gospel music industry. You created a niche. You owned that niche, grew with intensity, added flavor and dynamism. I cannot over emphasize the spirit-filled lyrics of each of your songs. Each time, it feels like dropping a bomb in a place, that’s like the best the way I can describe how your song tinges the environment into a nirvana. When I think about how you praise God in some of your songs, I sometimes feel like if I had all the monies in the world, I will just hand them over to you.

I don’t want to start to mention each songs one at a time, I believe I wont be able to close this appreciation article. Only permit me to say that thank you so much for that track “M’imo L’oluwa Medley”. Thank you for rendering those eulogies about God in Yoruba. I’m in tears writing this. It drops reverberate deep down in the innermost membrane of my heart. I love you ma. 

You see that album, Angeli Mi, only my Jesus will bless you for it. How you’ve preached the word of God, taught life important lessons in songs and in a local dialect should be the eighth wonder of the world because it defies the law of nature. I love music a lot. I can sit all day listening to foreign gospel music. Aunty Tope, I listen to your music now almost all day and I ask myself, is there something else you add to yours? Phew.

The instrumentalist you use are top-notch. I must really commend the bass guitarist, saxophonist and the drummer. There are some of your songs, I listen just to enjoy the instrumentalist. Angeli Mi track falls within this sphere. Thank you Aunty Tope for your consistency over the years. Thank you again! Please keep this good work up.

I play the piano and I sing as well, I have a fair idea of what it means to put up a good performance. The sleepless nights, many practices, financial cost, prayers and all the efforts. You’ve disciplined yourself constantly to give us solid music. I ask for more album. I don’t think I can get an overdose of your songs. They are pure elites. Keep them coming. I, on behalf of your many fans all over the world celebrate God in your life and appreciate you for keeping us close to God with your unique sound.

Aunty Patricia Temitope Alabi, Maami. 

EGC 2021

P.S. Enjoy this biography also by Rachael Odusanya on Tope Alabi.