OLUFUNMI- Facilitator at Song Writer and Singer Seminar

The gospel singer best known as Olufunmi, was first exposed to singing by her mother, who was 

in her youth, an opera singer.

From a young age her gift was recognised and upon her entry into secondary school she was singled

out by the schools music teacher, Mrs. Amorelle Inanga for singing lessons. At 12 under the tutulage of Mrs. Inanga, she earned a merit in Grade 4 singing and at 13 earned a distinction in Grade 5 singing both from the Royal School Of Music in London.

Olufunmi

When she was ten years old she was exposed to the music of great jazz singers like, Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald and Carmen Mcrae and imediately fell in love with jazz.

All through her teenage years she was singing. Both at school events and external events. Upon her entry into University she joined a band called 'Flint', whose name later changed to 'Electric Dream'. 

Electric dream focused more on pop music and two years later Olufunmi left to join a band 'Project', where she was able to fuse her jazz style with their more contemporary music.

She was with Project for six years. During this period they performed at concerts and were frequent features at 'Jazzville' run by Muyiwa Majekodunmi and ??? run by Tunde Kuponiyi. During this period she won a few awards such as 'Best Vocalist' at the Third Month University Campus Competition and the 'Baba Best Vocalist Award' for the best Jazz vocalist.

At the end of her six years with Project, she felt her Christian faith was calling her to sing gospel music. She then took a break of 13 years from the public singing arena. During this period was married to Diran Olajoyegbe and had two sons.

She also used this time also to write several gospel songs and in the year 2000, she embarked on recording her first gospel album 'Go Quick', which was released on April 1st 2001. In 2004 she released 2 more albums, 'Gbemidele' and 'Say J'.

Taking another 13 year break, she then released her fourth album 'You Alone' on the 2nd of April 2017.

Though Olufunmi's stye can be described as somewhat 'eclectic', there is a current of the jazz feel running through her music.

During her music career, Olufunmi has performed on 4 continents at numerous concerts, programs and churches. Winning several awards on the gospel scene. She has also featured in a few musicals on the platform of SPAN, SOD and Gbenga Yusuf's; 'Era of Legends'.

Professional/media presence of note:

·         Content creator and Director: 24 events - worship/outreach/performing arts presentations since 2006 to date under the umbrella of GiG Time Ministry/Foundation.

·         Several television and radio interviews: (of note are)

a.       Turning Point Television and  Interview - CBN(Christian Broadcasting Network, Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA - 2003): Guest on Turning Point with Victor Oladokun.

b.      Premier Radio (London , Uk) - Benny King

c.       Cool FM,( Lagos, Nigeria) - With Dan Foster

d.      Inspiration FM,( Lagos, Nigeria) - With Kemi Adetiba

·         Awesome Praise Concert (2004) - Peformance at the Kennedy Centre, Wasington DC, USA:Performed at this event and recieved a commendation in an article in the Washigton Post.

"A few performances provided an umblemished uplift. Olufunmi praised Jesus in her clear, rich voice, over beats drawn from R&B, African music and Latin dance, showing fluency and charisma in all styles."

...............................by Andrew Lindemann Malone (Wednesday July 21, 2004, pC3)

·         Awesome Praise Concert at the Barbican,London, England (2003): Sang/ministered at this event.