HER name may not strike any familiar chord, particularly, to the new generation youths, but gospel diva, Lorine Okotie ruled the Nigerian music scene about two decades ago with her hit album Love Medicine. The Abraka, Delta State born gospel artiste is back and this time for real. Lorine, who is a younger sister of Rev. Chris Okotie of the I need Some One fame is presently at StudioWorks located in Surulere, Lagos, where she is laying down tracks for a ten-track album due for release soon. In a chat with Sony Neme inside the studio, Lorine spoke about her seeming long silence, her life and music.You came and dazzled us with your Love Medicine. When people began to get interested in having a dose of it you vanished into the tin air, where have you beenI have been around o. people keep asking me when you have returned to Nigeria. I think what had happened is that if you didnt go to where attentions would be focused on you; and you are not doing things that will attract publicity to you, its assumed the you are not around. I think that is what really has been the case.I have been around pretty well with my routine cut out for me. I go to church on Wednesdays, Sundays and some times on Saturdays (She worships at Rev Chris Okoties Household of God, Ikeja, Lagos). I belong to the benevolent department in my church. Some time I go to the beach with my friends.I even go as far as Silverbird cinemas. But I guess because I walk in like every other person and I I am not doing anything that will attract attention to me, so people do not know if Im around. But I have been around.Back to the issue most fans would want to know. Why have you kept your fans yearning for so long before serving them with a dose of your kind of music; where have you been, LorineI dont know. It is something I cant really explain. We have been trying to do this album for some time now. This is the fifth time we are coming to the studio to get this album off the studio, but things just come up and it doesnt just work out.How, can you be more explicit pleaseAh, I dont know. In one instance there was a studio, Midi Tone, we were using at a point they moved out and relocated to Ikeja GRA. When we get there to continue with the job they said they had folded up. This was about two years ago. Same thing all over, you start a project and something just happen that you can not even explain, and the whole thing will come to end that way.Where does that take you, how does it make you feelSighs! It has been difficult. It has been a very long journey. When you start up a project and you are not able to see the end of that project, it hasnt been easy. It has been very traumatic for me. You know it is worst when people are expecting you are about bringing something to the table, being expectant and you are not able to do that. It is not a very good feeling. All the same you get to a point when you just say well, may be this is how God wants it. There is time for everything, and when that time comes nothing is going to stop it. So right now we are in studio working and I believe God, and I trust that this is the right time. I believe that it is going to work out this time. At least I am granting this interview, which ordinarily I will not if it is not going to be completed this time around. Normally we dont get to this point, so definitely, God willing this time we will come out.How do you hope to compete with the modern trend because since you left the scene so many things have changed; both in style and the swagger fad on the prowlHas anything really changed I have never left the scene as I have always been in touch with music developments. I have always kept pace with developments in the industry. Though not coming out publicly as I have to tidy up a few things before getting back to the studio to do what I know how to do best: sing, dance and entertain.I know that any good musician who has kept faith with the industry will not come to the party dry. I have all it takes to give back to my numerous fans that have been so starved of my Love Medicine. I am back and they will have plenty dose of it. Its amazing to know that within few days of my return to the studio my mail is already bursting up. My facebook Oh, that is another matter for another day (laughs).I am encouraged by fans who have kept faith with me so far. In all, I want to let my fans to know that my years of absence will be compensated for as I am ready to rock with them once again. This time I am back to stay as my management team are perfecting details in line with that objective. Just wait and see, we are ready to rock again with you.So what stage are you nowEhm, we have done up to six songs. I have done some lead vocals but we have not mixed yet. We are still going to add more back up vocals then we mix. We have gone pretty far.Who are you working withI am working with Dafee. He has been my producer since. He was also a part of the Love Medicine days. He has an album, Otonge that was quite popular a few years ago. My engineers name is James. These are well known faces and some of the best hands in the industry. These are people I have been working with from the onset and I am very comfortable with them. They seem to know what they are doing.After this I will see how it works out. For me it is important that I have a particular kind of environment for me to express myself. They are my friends and I like the fact that they are good at what they do. We are able to work like a family. So far I am satisfied with what I am getting. I think we are doing very well and I am trusting God to help make it better. I can say we have the best; it is a work in progress. We can improve on things; we trust God that He improves and get things going.What kinds of music are we expecting and when is it likely to be on the shelvesWhen it will hit the market I dont know but very soon a single will hit the air. About the kind of genre, we have reggae; we have salsa, slow rhythm and more; all gospel tunes that will arrest souls for God. It is going to be ten tracks in all. We have been able to put down six and we are still proceeding.In Love Medicine, your brother, Reverend Chris Okotie played a major role, what role is he playing in this projectHe is not playing any role in this album. I think my brother Reverend Chris has gotten me to appoint where he thinks I can do my own thing. I like doing my own thing, experiment and see how well I have been able to learn from him. He knows I am doing this (laying down tracks in the studio). I have his blessings, but so far he is not directly involved. I like to do my own thing in my own way and see its outcome.You are still looking great, what is the secret of your lookThanks for the compliment. I have no other secret than God. I like to quote the scripture a lot. That is my way of life, and the bible says that, He will renew my youth as the eagle flight. I claim that in my life, just like I claim lots of things that God has promised His children. So the secret is his grace, which is marvelous.
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