The story of Caroline Sam, the gospel singer popularly known as Maheeda, is pathetic but inspiring. She was raised as an orphan who hit the street at a tender age of 13 to fend for herself during which time she became a prostitute. In fact, Maheeda could not ascertain her real names because she was raised by foster parents whose name she adopted.
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Now, things have changed as Maheeda has turned her life around and eventually became someone to reckon with in the music industry.
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The light skinned and slim built mother of one stormed the music scene about two years ago with a single, Oko Yapa that rocked the airwaves. Indeed, Maheeda attracted attention not because her song was extra-ordinary but because of the fact that she appeared weird so much that her almost noond pictures were everywhere, and she was living big.
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Recently, the 'Naija Bad Girl' as she's used to be called, turned a new creature by giving her life to Christ, which has made her embrace gospel music as against the secular that shot her into the limelight. TS Weekend engaged the talented singer in an interview session and she opened up on a number of interesting issues that include her experience as a prostitute, her growing up as an orphan and her marriage to a Whiteman. She also spoke extensively about the turning point of her life as well as her music career. Enjoy it:
What is happening to Maheeda?
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That depends on what you mean particularly. Of course, it's about what you are known for, music?
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Yeah, I got born again but I'm still a musician and an entertainer. I have been working on my album and I will be shooting a video soon. That's it basically.
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How many tracks are you looking at and who are you working with on the new album?
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I'm working on a good news album, which could also be called, gospel music. I'm working on about 15 tracks and I'm working with Black Jersey in Surulere, Lagos. Also, I'm working with Cupit in FESTAC; I'm working with just two producers. We are looking at about two more tracks and we hope to get through this month or early next month.
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Coming from a secular music background, how easy is it to compose gospel tunes?
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It's actually easy, although, in the beginning, it wasn't because I was confused. There is this mentality that when you are born again, you start working on your outer appearance and not inner while it's suppose to be inside and then outside. I also started the same way like trying to change my looks and the rest. So, it was indeed kind of difficult composing songs because I did not have enough word of God in me but after then I had to relax for like a year, going to church, listening to pastor Chris, teaching me and I'm still learning so I have enough words to put in my songs, so now I'm ready.
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Which of the pastor Chris are you talking about and is it that this pastor attends to you personally from the way you are talking?
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I'm talking about Pastor Chris Oyakhilome. I have never seen pastor Chris in person but he's so real to me like the way we are talking now.
That is very good of her. It's never over for any human being on earth. She has taken the right step and i'm so happy for her.