Minister ‘BMI’ (Bunmi) Biography, Songs, Career and Family

BIOGRAPHY

Born on July 12, the music entrepreneur started music quite early, and the career runs in the blood. “I am from a musical family. Virtually everyone sings, but few of us took it seriously,” Bunmi told Revelationmusik Giving more details of how her passion for music kicked in, she said: “We were in a children’s choir back then. My elder sister (Pastor Esther Yohanna) would teach us songs. I was virtually the youngest but always led the choir in most of our outings.

“At times, I’ll have to stay up to rehearse. It wasn’t convenient as I was still very young, but it helped shape me and made my passion for music grow stronger. I’ve always wanted to be a television (TV) presenter because I love standing in front of the camera, but music is an inborn talent that would always come first. So, I would say I didn’t really think music would be a profession, but it turned out to be. Professionally, I have done 20 years on stage.”

Her Call into the Music Ministry

Music entrepreneur Bunmi Solomon owns the Bunmi Music International (BMI) brand. The Kaduna-based gospel and inspirational music sensation have, within 22 years in the industry, released four albums; the fifth album is in the works. Her new single ‘It’s Yours’ was released on June 3. The Ondo State-born singer, composer and songwriter say her dream is to become a household name on the local and international music scenes. She also shared her plan to establish a music academy where she could teach adults and kids with Assistant Editor CHIKODI OKEREOCHA.

Minister ‘BMI’ (Bunmi) Biography, Songs, Career and Family

Hers was a natural calling. This must be why Bunmi Solomon was able to seamlessly transition from being the leader of a children’s choir at a very tender age to one of Nigeria’s most sought-after gospel and inspirational music artists. “Music is life for me,” Bunmi, who owns and runs the Bunmi Music International (BMI) brand, declared, adding, “I am a singer, composer and songwriter. I am also a music entrepreneur. I teach, train and sell music as a business.”

Indeed, as a sign of Bunmi’s blossoming career in the music industry, the Kaduna-based gospel and inspirational music sensation, Revelationmusik learnt, she has released five (5) hugely successful albums since she picked up the passion about 22 years ago, the precisely year 2000. The fifth album, according to the Owo, Ondo State-born artist, is in the works.

The 2014 Mass Communication graduate of Federal Polytechnic, Kaduna, also released a new single titled ‘It’s Yours.’ That was on June 3.

Kaduna Gospel Talent Hunt (KAGOTH)

Stunning, intelligent and vivacious, Bunmi has, by dint of hard work, sheer determination and consistency, carved a niche for herself in the music industry. Her string of successes and milestones in the industry in the past 20 years attest to her towering status. For instance, she has been able to organise a talent hunt – Kaduna Gospel Talent Hunt (KAGOTH) – with winners going home with cash prices and gaining musical exposure in Kaduna and its environs.

Under ‘BMI The Global Voice’ as Bunmi’s music brand is also called, she has also been privileged to train individuals, groups and choirs across the country to do better in their singing. The rave of the moment, who said she is propagating the kingdom of God while also bringing inspiration to several upcoming artists through her music, also has a blog that helps gospel artists create download links for their songs at a very affordable price.

“Initially it (the download links) was totally free, but now just for a token you can visit the site,” the budding entrepreneur stated, adding that she also gets paid for the vocal classes she takes, as well as the honorarium that comes her way when she sings in churches. “I take private lessons. I also do collective classes. I also get stipends from my blog. I do online training, I get invited to places to speak and also teach. People also buy my music online,” Bunmi told Revelationmusik.

By riding on the back of a robust support system from her husband, Pastor Kunle Solomon, who also has good musical knowledge as a keyboardist, Bunmi is also handling a project in Abuja — Abuja Worship Service. It’s a monthly meeting that holds every first Sunday of the month, from 5 pm to 6.30 pm, at Epic Visual Studios, No 11 Bumbuna Street off Masana street, Wuse Zone 1 Abuja.

Abuja Worship Service

Put together by a music enthusiast and an ardent worshipper, the Abuja Worship Service is not a church programme, but strictly non-denominational; everyone is welcome, irrespective of the church he or she attends. And Bunmi is the face of the Abuja Worship Service. She is also its administrator and planner.

Expectedly, her exploits in the music industry have not gone without rewards and recognition. For instance, Bunmi has two awards under her belt. She earned the Ambassador for Peace from the International Institute of Pastoral Education and Chaplaincy (IIPEC) last November 15. Again, on November 29, she also clinched the Gtunes Global (Grama Awards), in recognition of years of impact on the music scene.

On the strength of Bunmi’s remarkable successes so far, the music entrepreneur has already set for herself a number of targets, one of which, according to her, is to become a household name in the local and global music industry. Already, she is currently the toast of gospel and inspirational music artists who have been approaching her for possible collaboration.

Music Features

“I have been approached by several artists and I’ve done a few collaborations with a few of them,” Bunmi informed Revelationmusik, adding that as part of her plans for the future, she was planning to approach top music icons such as Mercy Chinwo and Dunsin Oyekan, soon.

“I also approached Julia Omlamb who is based in the UK. I’ll also love to work with Mary Mary and Yolanda Adams in future,” she revealed.

Bunmi, who attributed her rise to fame and fortune in the music industry to her tenacity and innovativeness, said: “In the next five years, I would have travelled to a lot of countries singing and teaching music. Also, I would have had my Music Academy where I will teach both adults and kids. And in setting such an ambitious target, the music impresario said she is drawing strength from “My never-give-up-spirit. I believe that no matter the challenges, there’s a way around them.”

Minister ‘BMI’ (Bunmi) Biography, Songs, Career and Family

The Journey to the Top

However, the journey to the top hasn’t been a walk in the park for the budding music entrepreneur. There have been specific industry challenges such as those around finance and getting the necessary exposure needed. “As a gospel singer, most people find it difficult to sponsor your work. Some would come out plainly to tell you that if you were doing circular music, they would help without hesitating,” Bunmi said, for instance.

Although she has never been a victim of piracy, which has been hurting most music artists, Bunmi said she almost fell prey once when she tried to sell off her music album to a marketer who wanted to copy it inside his office.

“I insisted that he hears it from my earpiece. Most times, when they take it in, they automatically make another copy for themselves and tell you they are not interested in buying again. Before you know it, your work is everywhere. Piracy is rampant, but I’ve never experienced it first-hand,” she said.

She, however, said it was sad that despite having laws against piracy, implementing the laws remained a challenge. “This is why piracy still thrives,” she charged, alleging that “The cartel involved seems to have pocketed regulators and seem to have developed a huge war chest to fight back.”

Minister ‘BMI’ (Bunmi) Biography, Songs, Career and Family

While noting that it was unfortunate that one person’s intellectual property is being stolen and nothing seems to be done against it, Bunmi said it is sad that an artiste’s future is being destroyed by pirates and the government is not doing anything about it. “There should be a bigger, more articulate and well-coordinated action against piracy,” she fumed.

She also decried what she described as the government’s neglect of operators in the entertainment industry, particularly music. According to her, the government seemed to have channelled most of its energy and resources to others industries such as agriculture while entertainment is mostly neglected. “I’ve not benefited from any form of support for the entertainment industry from the government yet, but I’m looking forward to getting it soon,” she said, noting that at present, the private sector tends to support operators in the entertainment industry more than the government.

Minister ‘BMI’ (Bunmi) Biography, Songs, Career and Family

Beyond the industry-specific challenges, managing her busy schedule as a top music entrepreneur together with her role as a wife and mother is no less daunting. “You can’t just pick up your bags and travel, you have to make sure it’s okay with your spouse and ensure that your kids will be looked after properly without any need to worry,” she said.

Bunmi noted, for instance, that when her babies were still very young, she couldn’t accept some invitations. “I had to decline some invitations,” she said, pointing out, however, that she was lucky she married a person who supports her music career fully, coupled with the fact that “God has been more than faithful.”

Advice for the Upcoming Artists

Having come this far in the music industry, Bunmi has some pieces of advice for young and upcoming artists: “They should be committed to their passion. Make sure you find every opportunity to improve your skill. Never seek platforms before you’re ready. Make sure you give in your best and leave the rest to God. He’ll announce you at the right time.”