“KSA Inspires Me” …American Gospel Singer, Nikki Spooner

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Nikki Spooner is an American singer, rendering her song in Yoruba dialect.  King Sunny Ade’s song “The Merciful God” inspired her and ever since then, she has been a force to reckon with in the Nigerian music scene.

In this interview with Akin Sokoya, this gifted and busty entertainer who has also featured in Nollywood spoke on her music career, love life, family and more.  Excerpts…

 

Could we meet you?

My name is Nikki Spooner from America. I am an entertainer, gospel singer and I also act in Nollywood.

You are known to be singing in Yoruba dialect, how did you get the inspiration?

It all started when I had to cook Nigerian food.  I was cooking egusi soup when I heard King Sunny Ade’s song, The Merciful God.  I fell in love with that song.  This song just attacked my spirit and I needed to learn Yoruba language. That was how it started.

What motivated you to learn how to cook egusi soup?

I wanted to learn Yoruba culture and without learning the food, I won’t be able to learn fast because the way to treat a man well here is through his stomach.  And with that, as a single mother, I might marry from here.

Do you plan to marry a Nigerian man?

It’s my prayer that I will find the right man in Nigeria.

How would you describe your background?

I don’t come from a rich family. Nigeria is quite different from America where I grew up.

What was your parents’ reaction when they heard about your plan to come to Nigeria to do Nigerian music?

They never felt bad.  She knows I’m in Nigeria now but I am not entirely sure that she wants me here.

Apart from KSA music that inspired you to sing Yoruba songs, which other Nigerian Yoruba musicians have inspired you?

Dr. Lanre Teriba, Pasuma Fuji Music, Tope Alabi, Mega 99, Shola Allison, Evang. Ebenezer Obey to mention but a few.

For how long will you be in Nigeria?

I will be in Nigeria for three months before I leave.

How many shows have you performed in Nigeria?

I have done a lot and in all my shows, I sang Yoruba gospel music and people appreciate it.  I was at Ebenezer Obey 70th birthday, I also performed at Oba Akran 40thAnniversary in Badagry where I sang on stage with KSA.  That was one of my fulfilled dreams.  I have also performed at different church denominations. I am really excited and it is a pleasure for me.  I also launched my album on May 14, 2017.

How did you feel during your very first show in Nigeria?

I was excited because people expected me to sing in English as a white woman in America but I surprised them by singing in Yoruba Language and the reception was loud and I love that appreciation, it shows that my effort is not in vain.

 

Apart from the Yoruba Language that you sing with, can you also sing in another language in Nigeria?

Yes, I have a ‘collabo’ in Igbo language in an album with Niel Chante.  Yoruba people have been responding, we will still have Igbo people responding.  If I am also called to feature in Hausa, I can do it. Music is all about language, if you love it, you can sing in any language.  Yoruba culture is one culture I cherish.  I love Nigeria culture as a whole but I started with Yoruba culture and I am happy.

What other hobby do you have apart from singing?

I am acting in Nollywood.  I have featured in nine Nollywood movies and I am still working on more movies.  I like to be on set.

Before you discovered your singing talent in Yoruba, were you a singer in America?

I have been singing since childhood and I loved to sing in song competition in school.  I have worked on two albums but none of them has been released.

Tell us about your private life

I have two kids, one is 17 years and the other is 13 years.  I am a busy mother who always moves from one place to another.

You have performed on stage with KSA, which other artistes do you plan to perform with again?

Tope Alabi, Shola Allinson, Lara George, Sinach and other gospel artistes.  I want to perform with them because we all worship one God.  It is my job to love everybody.

 

Are you a divorcee because you said in this interview that you have two kids and you are a single mother?

In America, it is very common to have woman whose children don’t have a father.  I was in a relationship for many years with my children’s father and we never married.  We stayed together but he never proposed to me.  But when I became born again, I discovered that it was not right for me to stay with a man without proper marriage, so, we had to separate.

What are the qualities you want in a husband especially in Nigerian men?

Any man who wants to approach me should be honest, God-fearing and I will let him know that I have two kids.

Can you marry a divorcee or a widower?

For me, it doesn’t make the difference, if he’s a young or old person, divorcee or widower but as long as he has the qualities I have mentioned, I am ready to go with him.