Meet Lara Royal

Having left the shores of Nigeria to seek greener pastures in Europe, Lara`s passion for music propelled her zeal and determination to explore the musical adventure inherent in her.

Today, Lara Shomoye, popularly known as Lara Royal stands taller than even her dreams as far as her music and public acceptance is concerned. Considered as the hottest Nigerian gospel artiste in diaspora presently, Lara, who spoke from her base in Dublin, Republic of Ireland, shares her experience on her musical journey as well as sundry issues.

Lara is a graduate of Accounting and Management Studies, an affiliate of the Association of Chartered and Certified Accountants (ACCA). She has a music ministry, in which she has upheld and built up by being a member of groups and choirs.

Recalling her growing up, Lara disclosed: “I was born in Lagos Island; I lived in many parts of Nigeria: Lagos, Kwara, Oyo, Osun and Plateau States at different times. I had a good upbringing in the fear of God. I had my primary education at St. Barnabas Primary School, Ilorin, Kwara State and St. Anthony Secondary School also in Ilorin, Kwara State before finishing my secondary education at Oluorogbo High School, Ile–Ife, Osun State. My university education was at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile–Ife where I read Management and Accounting. I also enrolled in many programmes and did some professional exams mostly in the line of Accounting and Management Studies.”

Narrating her reasons for relocating to the United Kingdom, Lara explained that she left a few years ago due to the fervent need to overcome her challenges. “I have had this urge to seek prospect and greener pasture for something new; I mean the ‘adventurism’ to break new grounds. I actually started singing when I was a little girl, while in Sunday school (Evangelical Church of West Africa ECWA) but was more serious when I joined a musical group called The Beacons. From there, I became a Praise Team leader in Rhema Chapel. I sang in many choirs such as Christ Faith Tabernacle (CFT), Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Choir and other groups as time and chance permitted.”

With two albums to her credit, I’m a Beacon and Silver and Gold which were released in 2009 and 2011 respectively, Lara said she has concluded arrangements to start bridging the gap between her and her Nigerian fans with a deliberate market positioning plans for her musical career.

“By God’s grace, I hope to complete several works I’ve started with different people, conclude them, as well as to share some of my musical compositions with notable artistes with the hope to build along other lines that are open to me. I pray for better things come this 2012 especially as far as my root, Nigeria, is concerned,” she said.