Adeola Osho

Adeola to headline on the Stade this Saturday

HOT’s Erica Smith sings the praises of one of Hastings’ rising stars.

I met Adeola Osho earlier this year at a course for women in business run by St Leonards’ Gwyneth Wint. I was very impressed by Adeola’s energy, enthusiasm, natural beauty and obvious talent. It was a privilege to spend time with such an amazing young woman. When I found out she was headlining at the ‘Reach for Tomorrow’ event this Saturday on the Stade – a concert promoting our talented musicians and singers – I wasn’t at all surprised. I asked her if she would like to tell HOT readers some more about herself.

Q: Adeola – are you excited to be headlining at the Reach For Tomorrow event?
A: Excited, and privileged to be in a position to encourage people.

Q: Tell us about your singing career – when did you start singing, and what do you love about it?
A: My Dad stopped the car on the motorway when I was young because he couldn’t believe it was me singing in the back! My music career since then has helped me to become resilient and persevere at all costs. I love the freedom music gives me; its a great way to inspire other people to do amazing things.

Q: What are the next steps in your singing career?
A: I’m working on my EP (taking forever), a mixture of some unusual covers and my own material. I could write for days about everything and anything; it’s therapeutic – I’ve taken after my Dad like that.

Q: Did you grow up in Hastings? What are the things you love about this town?… and the things you aren’t so keen on?
A: Yep it’s been an interesting experience, as a young person and, being one of few people of African descent has been challenging, there are plenty of small minded people. Drugs, teenage pregnancy, crime and things of this nature can leave you feeling trapped if you’re not careful. Growing up here, you can easily get mixed up in the wrong crowd – as I did myself. However, it’s an experience that I learned from and turned into song.
There’s not much to do for  young here either. We do have the the beach –  that calms me, makes me feel like any thing is possible. Also, when the sea is rough and raging, it makes me appreciate how powerful nature is. I love the the cliffs, West Hill, Fairlight. Growing up in such a scenic town with a beach was a blessing.

Q: Can you tell us a bit about the dance workshops you run for young people?
A: My Dad asked me to teach singing in London. I didn’t think I could do it but he believed in me, and showed me how to teach, I studied how he taught, how he inspired and motivated people. After a few months of working with my Dad I decided to start dance workshops in Hastings and, before I knew it, Dancing Ovation really made a difference. We now even teach nursery and primary school children every week, and adults and teens too. I would never have started Dancing Ovation without my Dad.

Q: What else do you want to say?
A: I’m currently spending as much time as possible writing and recording my EP called HomeMadeSoul (because I’m recording it at home).
It will be released on 27 July. Yay!!!    😀
My next show is set for Friday 26 July at the Brixton Jamm, London.
It’s supporting breast cancer awareness within the urban community. And I’m singing at a few weddings, festivals and events this year.

You can find out more about Adeola on her Facebook page or watch her on Youtube.

Reach for Tomorrow starts at 7.30 this Saturday, 8 June, on the Stade. The acts are: Sam Carey, Hebe Gilham, The Broadcasters, Poppy Prescott, Kane Tracey and Adeola Osho. It’s a free gig, and a great opportunity to support our local talent and sample some of the stars of tomorrow.

The event is organised by Future Talent PA as part of Stade Saturdays. Stade Saturdays are programmed and funded by Hastings Borough Council with support from Arts Council England.

Also in: Music & Sound