After releasing several acclaimed albums, TY Bello’s music has become the song of choice not only for Christians looking for gospel music, but also for people looking for uplifting songs. And it is this desire to bring solace to weary souls that inspires her new album. ‘Heaven has arrived’.
In this Pulse interview, the renowned artist and creative talks about her new album, motherhood, and her efforts to support mental health advocacy.
TY Bello released his new album ‘Heaven has arrived’ which comes 17 months after the release of their 2022 album ‘We are Fire’. Many fans were shocked that he would drop a new 20-track album in such a short time.
TY Bello described the process of making his new album as spontaneous but exhausting, as part of the process took 5 straight months.
She had to work to be a photographer full time while also making the album and she had to work hard to make it work. According to her, it was emotionally demanding but creatively rewarding.
“After we released ‘We Are Fire,’ my team was saying we had to go on tour, so the new album wasn’t planned. It wasn’t easy juggling being a full-time photographer and making an album, but the process was inspired by a spontaneous desire to create a compelling worship experience.
According to TY Bello, the album was inspired by a weekly worship section that created a beautiful moment that she wanted others to experience.
“Since 2016 we started this worship section called spontaneous worship and every time, the music is supercharged and the whole experience is very beautiful. I wanted to recreate this experience for ordinary people and I thought the best way is to make music that they can relate to.”
TY Bello’s music is known for its relatability that transcends demographics and even beyond gospel music consumers. This element is resonating in ‘Heaven has arrived’ that sonically connects with mainstream listeners. TY Bello revealed that he doesn’t want to make music that only connects with people who see life from his perspective, but with all listeners.
“I don’t think there is any human being who walked the face of the earth who is more conventional than Jesus Christ.” TY Bello says about the Christian purpose of his music.
“He was politically relevant, had friends from all walks of life, and related to everyone regardless of social status. And this is the kind of music I want to make. I want it to mean something to everyone who comes in contact with it. sound.”
In ‘Heaven has arrived’, TY Bello Introduces Afro-R&B Singer, Songwriter and Producer Johnny drill. This offered him insight into his interaction with the mainstream and his desire for the gospel for the average listener. TY Bello revealed that his choice to work with Johnny Drille was inspired by a great deal of admiration for his talent, as well as his desire to make music that everyone can enjoy.
“In another world, I would love to be Johnny Drille because he’s such a talented person who makes love songs and I love love. I’ve worked with Johnny Drille before and he’s already part of the Spontaneous Worship experience, so I thought it would be great to have him on the project.”
Gospel music has come a long way in Nigeria and the early 2000s saw commercial growth in the gospel industry as artists became popular and the music shared the spotlight with secular music.
There have been recurring conversations about the potential for gospel music to return to its commercial height and TY Bello is of the opinion that gospel music should be seen as a song for everyone and not just Christians.
“I remember from the late ’90s to the early 2000s, gospel artists used to constantly interact with secular artists and there wasn’t a major demarcation in the industry like there is now. I think gospel artists need to redefine music to match the purpose that Jesus Christ represents and exemplified in his life through the way he interacted with everyone.”
It takes talent and creativity to make gospel music that cuts across the board, and TY Bello has copious amounts of talent and creativity. For her, creativity is universal and innate, and anyone willing to tap into themselves can discover her creative spark. According to her, she opens her creative box by being vulnerable and sincere and letting herself be inspired by God.
“Once I allow myself to be vulnerable, my creative box opens up and I find sound and expression very easy when I adore. I don’t have to try. I can sing fifteen songs on paper without writing. Songs just get written.” themselves.”
In addition to being a highly talented creative, TY Bello is a wife and mother of beautiful children. Combining a successful career with motherhood isn’t the easiest task, and TY Bello reveals that she navigates this task by being open to learning as she enjoys every step of the process.
“Being a mother can be very difficult if you put the weight in the wrong place. You do not own your children, but are only meant to guide them through life. You must be open to learning every day and take the time” . meet your children.”
TY Bello shares that she doesn’t draw the line between career and motherhood, but instead allows her children to be involved in all aspects of her life and this has allowed them to experience each other.
Waiting a decade to become a mother helped TY Bello understand the mental difficulties that come with such challenges, and she reveals that she overcame it with a resolve not to succumb to bitterness.
It is this resolve to stay positive and resolutely pursue happiness that TY Bello aims to bring to all who are experiencing mental health challenges. She is achieving this through her inspiring music and also aims to bring the word directly to those seeking solace by building safe communities.
There’s a lyric on your new album that says “I keep the territory of my heart”, and it’s this mindset that TY Bello encourages everyone to embrace.
“You deserve to be happy, you deserve joy, you deserve to live. Don’t make an idol of your miracle.” is his message as he continues to take the gospel to all.
