Sola Allyson-Obaniyi [Artist Profile]

Sola Allyson-Obaniyi, popularly known as The Sola Allyson, is a Nigerian soul, folk singer, gospel singer and song-writer. She came into limelight with the hit album Eji Owuro (2003), which was the soundtrack album for a film of the same title. After Eji Owuro, she released other albums like Gbeje F'ori', Ire', Im'oore', 'Adun', 'Ope', 'Imuse' and her most recent album 'IRI', released in 2019. Her popular songs include: "Eji Owuro", "Obinrin Ni Mi", "Aseye", "Isinmi", amongst others.^[1] Apart from being a singer, she is also a voice coach, counsellor and a consultant.^[2]

Olusola Allyson-Obaniyi
Birth name	Olusola Allyson
Born	Ikorodu, Lagos State
Genres	Folk   Soul   Religious
Occupation(s)	Singer   Song-writer   Voice Coach
Years active	2003–present
Labels	THE SOLA ALLYSON LIMITED
Associated acts	Cobhams Asuquo, Adekunle Gold
Website	solaallyson.com

Early life and educationEdit

Allyson was born in Ikorodu, Lagos State in the early 1970s. She had her primary education at Anglican Primary School, Ikorodu, after which she attended Shams-el-deen Grammar School, Ikorodu for her secondary education. She subsequently attended Government Technical College, Agidingbi, Ikeja, where she studied Business Studies and obtained an NBTE Certificate.^[3]

In 1997, she gained admission into The Polytechnic, Ibadan to study Music Technology, majoring in Voice and minoring in Music. She acquired a Higher National Diploma (HND) degree with a Upper Credit.^[3][4]

CareerEdit

Allyson started her career as a back-up singer in the late 1980s, when she was only thirteen.^[3][4] She later became a professional back-up singer and worked with musicians such as: Yinka Ayefele, Gbenga Adeboye, Pasuma, Obesere and Daddy Showkey. The opportunity to make her first album Eji Owuro, came when she met a man with a movie script in a public bus. The man initiated a conversation with Allyson, telling her about a film shoot he just concluded, titled "Orekelewa". Allyson was eventually called to sing a soundtrack for the film, which led to the change in the title of the film to "Eji Owuro". When Eji Owuro the film, was released, the studio decided to make a full music album for the film. The album, upon release, became a huge success commercially and critically, launching Allyson into the music industry.^[2][4]

Personal lifeEdit

Allyson got married in March 2003. She met her husband, Toyin Obaniyi in the church choir. Together, they have 3 children: Ayobami, Mopelola and Obafunmiwo.^[3][4][5]

DiscographyEdit

AlbumsEdit

• Eji Owuro (2003)
• Gbe Je F'ori (2005)
• Ire (2007)
• Im'oore (2009)
• Adun (2011)
• "Imuse" (2018)
• "Iri" (2019)

ReferencesEdit

1. ^ Akinnagbe, Akintomide (30 December 2011). "GALAXY MUSIC BOSS,AHMED ENDS 3-YEAR RIFT WITH SHOLA ALLYSON". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
2. ^ ^a b Salami, Tayo (17 February 2015). "I'm privileged to enter into people's souls – Sola Allyson-Obaniyi". News Watch Times. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
3. ^ ^a b c d "Sola Allyson – Biography".
4. ^ ^a b c d "WHY I DON'T WEAR SKIMPY DRESSES –SOLA ALLYSON-OBANIYI". Nigeria Films. The Nigerian Voice. 6 August 2007. Retrieved 27 September2016.
5. ^ "My music heals suicide-prone minds, Says SOLA ALLYSON-OBANIYI". The Nation. Osun Defender. 15 December 2013. Retrieved 27 September 2016.

External linksEdit

Official website