Pamela Ibude’s “Woyoma” is an Eclectic Sonic Exercise

By Emmanuel Daraloye

This year really tested me as a human being. While I gladly look forward to what the year would bring, I never fathom that it would serve as the year the world was on lockdown, due to the Coronavirus epidemic.

While I was at home, music became my solace. More essentially Nigerian gospel music. For someone who is versed in Yoruba and barely speaks any other indigenous language, it became a thing of surprise when I gravitates towards listening to music outside my ethnic groups.

Music from the Nigeria-based gospel singer, songwriter, and minister of God, Pamela Ibude has been my greatest companion. Although she has arrays of songs in her catalog, the one released on September 16, 2020 ranks high in my most played song, it was titled “Wayoma.”

Sonically, the song can be streamlined into a worship type of tune, the one aptly curated for early morning family worship. The range swiftly moves from mellow to high tempo as the song reaches its crescendo. One of the dominant attributes of Pamela Ibude remains the artistic arrangement of her song. This song shows off her skill as a brilliant arranger. The instrumental which is made of piano, drum is efficiently brought to an equal modulation by the choristers.

The way this song is structured intrigues me, the beginning of the song never gives it away, you never expect how the song switches. Even the vocal of Pamela Ibude changes as the song goes into full action. Likewise the production, the snare collided with the base to form the fulcrum of the song.

On this song, Pamela Ibude is full of praise to the most high. With the eccentricities of life happening, God has been marvelous to her. She could not hide her praise and admiration. Gratitude stands as one of the focal points of this song. For someone who passed through the tragedy of 2020, a song like this succinctly captured it better.

While Pamela Ibude’s vocal is thrilling, it is also important to note that she writes well. Her songwriting skill shines bright when she code mixes, take for instance, when she mixes English Language and Urhobo dialect, with support from her thrilling vocal, this takes the song to a new height.

The year 2020 remains the most challenging for almost everyone due to the pandemic, a track that was carefully curated to put people in the right perspective. Pamela Ibude continues to show why she is one of the most booked Nigerian gospel singers, her sonic dexterity and brilliant songwriting skill continues to distinguish her from her contemporary.