Music of Nigeria

Bola Sonola

The Man with the Magical Dulcet Voice on Radio

Whenever you are in Lagos Nigeria and want to get away from all the loud music you hear on other radio stations and need a calming effect, there is a voice that comes to mind that does that. His name is Bola Sonola aka The Genie. He started his radio career at Radio Plateau 2 now Peace FM in the city of Jos in Plateau State where you will find a few tourist attractions like the Shere Hill, Assop Waterfalls, Rayfield Holiday Resort, Pandam Games Reserve and the Jos Wildlife Park.

An old friend who was an actor and sadly no more with us, the late MacArthur Fom (Nosa of “Behind The Clouds”) a popular TV series at the time in 1989 convinced him to go into radio believing he had the voice for radio. Though at the time he was majoring in film production.

After the audition he as amongst 13 people selected from over 3000 applicants who turned up for the audition. “I remember seeing the crowd of people who came for the audition and told Arthur that I didn’t stand a chance but he urged me on to do it and I did.” “I was the last name announced on the radio station to report to the station and I was lucky No 13.”

“How did you get the name The Genie?” “I was meant to attend the first meeting of presenters but got their late and was looking for where the meeting was held.” “On opening a door after two or three earlier, I poked my head in the room to see if a meeting was going on and there was.” “The Programs Director then goes.” ”Here he is popping in like a genie out of a bottle.” ‘’And so that was how everyone started calling me the genie out of the bottle, and then eventually The Genie.”

He became a household name in no time as one of the pioneering radio presenters of the station and it marked the beginning of his career as a radio host. After the death of his friend McArthur Fom he left for London hoping to continue his career as a radio host but hit many road blocks. It was a different terrain in London but was able to do some stints with one of the community radio stations called Klymaxx FM presenting a Jazz show and at the same time

worked for London Underground which later became Transport for London. After 12 years with Tfl he felt disillusioned and decided to go back to Nigeria. “Why did you go back to Nigeria?” “Well I felt the job became too monotonous and I didn’t find fulfilment.” “I decided it was time to head back to Nigeria in as much as I had no plans.” “Did your going back prove to be a masterstroke?” “It was what I hoped for and the initial foray was a difficult road to navigate.” My closet friend now and brother, Tunde Ajijedidun suggested that I go back into radio and believed that radio was what I knew.” “So I decided to go job hunting at radio stations and visited about every single one and was turned down.” “I had spent all my savings and was being advised to go back to London because at the time I had done a year plus without getting a job” “I told myself that I would not give up in as much as I had hit rock bottom.” Eventually a door of opportunity presented itself to me. “That was Classic 97.3FM and was excited with the opportunity to prove my mettle.” “I started with a weekend show which became popular and gave way to the late evening weekday shows which made me a household name as well.”

“You are now at Smooth 98.1 FM.” “How did you end up there?” ‘’ Well it was funny and also sad” “I wanted to bring something refreshing to my previous station but was rebuffed. I listened to the test transmission of Smooth 98.1 FM and it felt like a homecoming. In as much as I did not want to leave I was persuaded by my friend Tunde Ajijedidun to make the move and when you are offered double your wages to make a move when they see you as an asset you are not left with much of a choice.” “In hindsight I wish it was done differently?” That is where I felt sad as I still have good friends there.”

How long have you been with Smooth FM?” “I have been with Smooth 98.1 for almost 10 years and incidentally the station turned 10 years on the 14th of November 2019” “I do feel at home at Smooth FM and have done a lot over the years to put the station on the world map in terms of radio stations you want to listen to.” “One of the things that endears us to our listeners is the genre of music we play and the quality of our programming.” “A lot of what we have done over the years have been copied by our competitors’.” The Genie is also the Head of Music for the station ad hosts a number of radio shows, namely The Club Classics where he takes you down memory lane playing old school music from the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s on Friday nights from 9 pm and midnight. He presents the Luxury Soul Show where he introduces new soul artistes and has conversations with both Nigerian ad international soul singers. On Sundays he hosts the Sunday Brunch which is a jazz show showcasing the best in jazz which is also laced with conversations with the best in jazz. He is widely known both in and out of Nigeria and has interviewed an impressive list. A few we can mention include Kirk Whalum, Kevin Whalum, Wendy Moten, Jonathan Butler, Najee, Joss Stone, Gerald Albright, Selena Albright, Rahsaan Patterson, Incognito, Wynton Marsalis, Pamela Williams, Angelique Kidjo, Richard Bona, Nicholas Payton, Don Laka, Eliane Elias, India Arie, Don Vino, Mike Stern, Tracy Carter, Freddie Fox, Chaka Khan, Phil Perry,112, Next and the Legendary George Benson.

The Genie also founded Soul Conversations Lagos for Nigerian soul singers to have a platform to perform and an alternate platform for jazz artistes in Nigeria called Jazz in the Park. His newest event is the Lagos Wine and Jazz Series which will happen next year and the first of its kind in Nigeria for wine lovers and lovers of jazz. “So do you have any hobbies?” “Well I love rollerblading, movies and music. I also do love travelling and would love to visit Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong and Brazil where my great grandmother retraced her step back to Nigeria. I would one day love to go to the Montreux Jazz Festival though I have been to The Capetown International Jazz Festivals twice and the Joy Of Jazz Festivals 3 times both in South Africa. I dare say I love languages and hope to start playing the piano again when I can afford one.

So when you come to Nigeria and you want to listen to the best in soul and jazz music why not tune into Smooth 98.1 FM and let The Genie take you on a music magic carpet ride. You can follow him on social media on twitter and instagram @smoothgenie to see what he is up to and upcoming events. You’ll be glad you did.