Bola, Where Did You Go? The Musical Side of Bola Obileye I Didn’t Know Existed
I was minding my business online… or was I? Because really, are you actually minding your business when you’re happily browsing from one post to another? 😜
Anyway, there I was, unminding my business, when I stumbled across some old music by none other than my Seriously Doughnuts co-host, Bola Obileye.
Now, I know about Bola’s gospel music. That part wasn’t news to me. I know about the designing too — I thought I knew the many sides of Bola. But this? This one completely took me by surprise.
The song is titled “Bola, Where Did You Go?” and, quite frankly, that is now the exact question I have for her:
Bola, where DID you go?
Because how have we been sitting together, talking, laughing, recording Seriously Doughnuts, and you conveniently forgot to mention this amazing chapter of your life? Madam, are you living a double life? Soulful musician by night, talk show host by day? 😂
It sounds like something straight out of a fantasy novel, and I absolutely love it.
And then I listened…
The song is a beautiful, soulful rendition, with Pat Reyford on guitar, and there’s something wonderfully intimate about it. No unnecessary noise, no overproduction — just a voice, a guitar and a melody that quietly draws you in.
And draw me in it did.
There’s a warmth to Bola’s voice here that I wasn’t expecting. The song feels deep and calming, yet there’s also something slightly playful and amusing about the whole thing. I found myself smiling and, before I knew it, actually waltzing along as I let the melody in.
Yes, waltzing. Please allow me. 😄
And then came the lyric:
“You were wrong to be gone for too long…”
Exactly!
You were indeed wrong to be gone for too long, Bola, because where is the rest of this music? We need answers — and preferably another song while you’re answering.
The recording was done about four years ago, but listening to it now reminded me that some music simply doesn’t need to chase trends. There’s something refreshing about a sound that is allowed to breathe. Something you can actually listen to rather than just hear.
In a world where everything seems to be getting faster, louder and shorter, this felt like a little invitation to slow down.
And I liked that.
A very pleasant discovery
One of the things I love about people is discovering the different layers to them. We can know someone in one space and still have absolutely no idea about the gifts, experiences and stories sitting quietly in another corner of their life.
And apparently, my dear co-host has been sitting beside me with an entire soulful alter ego that I somehow missed. 😂
Well done, Bola. This was such a surprising and genuinely pleasing discovery — so pleasing, in fact, that I had to write about it.
Now I’m passing my discovery on to you.
Head over to YouTube, search for “Bola, Where Did You Go?” by Bola Obileye, give it a proper listen and allow yourself to sink into the melody.
And if you suddenly find yourself doing a little waltz around your living room…
Don’t blame me. 😜
Just come back and thank me later.
Love,
Aunty Lulu ❤️
