Heavenly voices: Canton sisters release debut album

Sisters Oladunni and Olayeni Oladipo are just like adolescents everywhere. Oladunni, 12, enjoys playing soccer and basketball, running track and cooking. Olayeni, 10, likes to play the piano and sew, and dreams of being a fashion designer. During the school year, they’re both busy with their studies.

Oladunni, 12, and Olayeni, 10

But what makes these two girls different from many kids their age is that they released their first CD, “The Mighty One,” during the spring. The gospel album includes ten original songs. (Click here to listen to a sample.) Oladunni and Olayeni wrote one of the songs, “Obey Your God,” while their older sisters Olamide and Olaitan wrote the other nine.

Oladunni began singing when she was 3 years old. In 2007, when she was 8, she sang professionally for the first time at the Boston Pops Gospel Night. She has sung with the Pops on other occasions, as well as at the State House for special events and at games for the Boston Red Sox, Celtics and Cannons. Olayeni’s singing career began at the age of 5 with Janice Allen’s Inspirational Freedom Choir. She has performed duets with Oladunni for radio and television programs. The two girls have also sung at charitable events.

The idea for the album came from their father, Lare Oladipo, who enjoyed listening to his daughters sing songs by many artists and wanted to encourage them to go in a different direction. “He said, ‘Why don’t you do your own songs?’” their mother, Yemi Oladipo, explained.

Last fall, Oladunni and Olayeni began recording the CD, a new experience for them. “I liked seeing myself record in a studio,” Oladunni said. “I never imagined doing that.”

Olayeni agreed. “I liked doing something productive,” she said. “I felt proud of myself. It was really cool.” The youngest Oladipo daughter, 5-year-old Olajuwon, sang backup on “Obey Your God.”

Recording a gospel album was an easy choice for them. “We think that gospel is a way to touch people’s souls and hearts,” Oladunni said. “It brings something better to the world. The world doesn’t have to be violent. It can be a better place if we try.”

Olayeni said that she likes gospel because it can spread a message. Her favorite track from the album is “Now, I’m Free.”

“I can relate to the words,” she said. “(And) I like the melody.”

Their mother is extremely proud not only of her daughters’ singing, but also of their work ethic. “They are very good girls,” she said. “They’re very grounded.”

Although their music has taken them to many venues, each sister would love to sing at a special place. For Oladunni, it’s the White House. “I think it’s a big accomplishment,” she said. And for Olayeni, it’s at a Patriots game. “It’s the Boston team,” she explained. “I like the team.”

Their CD, “The Mighty One,” is available at www.cdbaby.com/cd/oladiposisters.

Short URL: https://www.thecantoncitizen.com/?p=6939

Posted by Mary Ann Price on Jul 27 2011. Filed under Features. Both comments and pings are currently closed.