TY Bello Hits The Stage After 7 Years

By Osagie Alonge

After seven long years, singer/photographer TY Bello has returned to the music stage.

The former member of the defunct music crew ‘KUSH‘ was present at the recent ‘Lunch With President Goodluck‘ pre-inauguration ceremony which took place at The Expo Hall, Eko Hotel and Suites on Tuesday, May 24, 2011.

KUSH which was made up of singers TY Bello, Lara George, rapper Emem Ema and Dapo Torimiro gained popularity in the early 2000’s with the single ‘Let’s live together’. The group’s simplicity and patriotic attitude won the hearts of many. And they were on the verge of moving unto bigger things, when the sad news broke – they were reported to have gone their separate ways.

TY Bello moved on to release her solo debut ‘Greenland’ that spurned the hit singles ‘Greenland’ and ‘Ekundayo’. The album placed TY Bello in a league of her own. Full of originality, patriotic and moral values, and spiritual themes, the singer was branded as an inspiration to the youths.

But despite endless enquiries and demand, the singer had refused to perform her songs live; preferring to let her CDs speak for her. TY reportedly turned down several offers, including major concerts -especially at the peak of the success of her ‘Greenland’ single and album.

And she not only stayed off the stage. It’s also taken years for us to have  new materials from her. Concentrating on photography, she kept fans waiting and asking; while she hugged her camera and settled into marriage.

Thankfully, she returned few months ago with a brand new single ‘The future’, towing the same line she started with but this time even stronger.

The release of the conscious single, whose video has gained widespread acceptance, coincided with the 2011 elections, earning the singer thumbs-up, and making many wish more singers would emulate her. And she’s taken it several steps further, with her appearance on stage last Tuesday, to perform for guests at the controversial Presidential lunch meet.

With the help of the Abuja Metropolitan Music Society Choir (which is being trained by Mrs. Maria Cecilia Toledo de Schmillen, an international opera singer and wife of the German ambassador to Nigeria) TY Bello performed her latest single ‘The Future’ for the first time.

The performance might not have left people spell bound (like many thought it would) but it was graceful in many ways. For the most part, the choir were inaudible simply because they weren’t given microphones; only those close to the stage could enjoy the pleasant melody. TY Bello on the other hand maintained her composure throughout as her voice resonated throughout the hall. As she ended, many applauded.

Speaking with Nigerian Entertainment Today (NET), the singer who was performing for the first time in front of President Goodluck said she was a little bit nervous at first but enjoyed herself. ‘My album which will be solely produced by MOSA will be released shortly, I can’t wait to share it with you all’, Ty Bello disclosed.

As to when it will drop or if another single would be released, she kept her lips sealed.